Volunteer Coordinator 

Are you a connector who is great with follow-through?  We are in need of a Volunteer Coordinator who can recruit volunteers, follow up with those who express interest, match interests with Playhouse needs, facilitate volunteer orientation and training, and solicit feedback and input from volunteers and ensure proper acknowledgement of their efforts.  Commitment is 2-5 hours per week. 

 

Board and Committee Roles 

Board Members:  Seeking members of the community who are natural leaders, work well in a team environment, can bring connections to the playhouse and who want to support our mission of changing the way the world views Down syndrome!  The board is responsible for ensuring sustainable success of the playhouse.  Commitment is 2 years, with a minimum of 5 hours per month.  All board members must either serve in an executive role (President, Vice President, Treasurer or Secretary) or serve on a committee. 

Committee Members:  Looking for a way to contribute in a way that is more hands-on, or in only in one specific area of the Playhouse?  Then a committee role may be for you!  Committee work ranges broadly and we have a role for all kinds of skills, interests and commitment levels. 

Facility Search Committee: Seek potential locations, engage with real estate professional for guidance, identify rough buildout costs and proposed facility options to the board for review. 

Outreach Committee: Build relationships with schools, therapy centers, medical professionals, community organizations, local businesses, etc. to spread the word about GiGi's Playhouse coming to this community! 

Marketing Committee:  Execute communications to families, donors and community members including social media, monthly e-newsletter, periodic blog posts and content updates to website, all using GiGi’s Playhouse’s standardized templates and tools. Also seeks ways to engage with the local media to promote GiGi’s Playhouse coming to our community.  Specialized technology experience not required. 

Events Committees:  Execute fundraising events.  From logistics and planning to promoting the event and filling the room to securing in-kind donations and sponsorships to making the room beautiful, the events committee knows how to throw a party, engage donors and ensure smooth events for all guests!  An Events Committee will be needed for each major fundraiser.  Commitment varies widely, but is generally short term in nature, with strong emphasis on the 1-2 months in advance of the event. 

Fundraising and Donor Relations Committee:  Do you have a sales background or just love engaging with people and telling the story of GiGi’s Playhouse? The fundraising committee builds a fundraising execution plan to achieve funding goals from a mixture of events, grants, donations and campaigns.  Identify major donor opportunities, research, write and follow-up on grants, execute donor presentations and ensure proper donor acknowledgements and stewardship. 

Program Committee:  With a lineup of over 50 different potential programs, this committee will help learn about GiGi’s programs, define the initial program lineup, learn about family availability to establish initial program days and times, recruit program volunteers and ensure proper training and rollout of programs as our playhouse opens. 

Finance Committee:  Responsible for ensuring the financial health of the Playhouse. The finance committee helps build budgets, helps ensure the whole board understands the financial health of the organization and establishes the bank relationship.  NOTE:  The national office manages all bookkeeping, reconciling funds, and entering transactions into financial systems. 

 

Other Volunteer Needs 

You don’t need to be on the board or on a committee to help support our efforts!  There are many ways to help for a day here and there or for a week or two of intense needs.  Here are some examples: 

Events: 

Fundraisers/Sponsorships: Help secure donations for the events by reaching out to organizations in the community, asking for sponsorship and donations  

Decorations:  Research and secure rentals needed for the event  

Food and Beverage:  Research and secure food and beverage donations  

Day-Of Volunteers:  Helping with registration and other activities.  

Silent auction items: Help secure gifts cards, experiences and other goods and services that would make great silent auction or raffle items.   

Programs:  Primary support for Playhouse programs will be needed roughly 1 month before the Playhouse opens.   

Program Leaders:  Program Leaders plays an integral role within GiGi’s Playhouse Programs – to facilitate educational and therapeutic skill development activities and connect with families.  It is preferred that the Program Leader has advanced education and/or training in developmental therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, behavioral therapy, social work, special education, speech-language therapy, music, dance, art or a related field. We provide sample lesson plans, program guides and a host of resources to help support your success!  Minimum commitment is 1 session (10-12 weeks), with programs occurring weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. 

Program Volunteers: Assisting the program lead, the program volunteers help support program execution in partnership with the program leader, by welcoming families, facilitating activities, supporting participants’ success, tracking outcomes and connecting with families.  Minimum commitment for 1 session (10-12 weeks), with programs occurring weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. 

Literacy and Math Tutors: This is an exciting opportunity to help those with Down syndrome learn to read or do math skills! The time commitment per week is 1 hour plus prep time. We ask our tutors to commit to one full session (10 weeks). You will work directly with the family of the child you are tutoring to determine when you will meet for your session each week.  Tutoring programs are expected to launch within 6 months to 1 year after playhouse opening.