Thank you for your interest in volunteering with GiGi's Playhouse Simi Valley! After completing a Volunteer Interest Form, you will receive a confirmation e-mail directing you to enroll for an upcoming volunteer orientation. Orientation is the first step in the on-boarding process. At orientation, each volunteer will fill out a more detailed application and engage with our volunteer coordinators as you listen to a presentation about GiGi's Playhouse - who we are, why we exist, and how you can get involved! You will also receive information about the next steps in the on-boarding process, which varies depending on each volunteer role. All volunteers 18+ will be background checked by GiGi's Playhouse Simi Valley, at no expense to you. We look forward to meeting you!
There are many ways to get involved at GiGi's Playhouse Simi Valley. Here is a list of our current committees. Click on each committee for more information.
Finance Committee
Governance Committee
Programs Committee
Family Committee
Community Outreach Committee
Marketing & Communications Committee
Development & Fundraising Committee
Events Committee
Volunteer Committee
Special Event Committees
GFAC: GiGiFit Acceptance Challenge
Annual Gala
*New* Casino Night
Please email Andrea Lopez at ALopez@gigisplayhouse.org if you are interested in volunteering.
Finance Committee
- Ensure Playhouse assets and donations are used effectively
- Build and propose budgets
- Review financial position and trends on a regular basis for long term financial health
- Lead annual planning effort
For more information, email the committee chair, Ashley Duran at ADuran@gigisplayhouse.org
Governance Committee
- Evaluation of ongoing board health
- Board recruitment
- Identify ways for the board to be more successful (e.g., committee development and effectiveness, local board guidelines)
- Board recognition
- Ensure proper training and onboarding for board and staff
For more information, email the board President, Kirsten Riddick at kriddick@gigisplayhouse.org
Programs Committee
- Seek family input on programming needs in the community
- Establish program lineup, schedule and session dates
- Manage program budget
- Ensure program quality and alignment with national standards
- Ensure program volunteers and program hosts receive proper training
- Testimonials and success stories
- Advocate on behalf of all program volunteers to the board
For more information, email the Program Coordinator, Tracy Spoor at tspoor@gigisplayhouse.org
Family Outreach Committee
- Welcome new families and match with a mentor family
- Solicit and provide input on program needs and preferred times
- Organize family & parent events (e.g., mom’s night out, etc.)
- Support programs as host families
- Help families to engage in volunteering and fundraising activities
For more information, email Nancy Zazanis at nzazanis@gigisplayhouse.org
Community Outreach Committee
- Increase awareness about Down syndrome and GiGi’s Playhouse in the community (schools, medical & therapy offices, local businesses, government, and other community organizations)
- Build relationships with community organizations and universities for volunteer recruitment
- Support playhouse parties
- Advocate and drive Generation G opportunities in the community
- Manage community tabling events
- Partner with local organizations to provide job and volunteer opportunities for adult program participants
For more information, email the committee chair, Ashley Duran at aduran@gigisplayhouse.org
Marketing & Communications Committee
- Ensure Playhouse marketing is aligned with GiGi's branding and style guide.
- Build quarterly marketing and communications plan and budget
- Create promotional materials
- Manage media interactions
- Ensure ongoing website content updates
- Help support social media posts and engagement
- Review/edit all marketing communications
For more information, email the interim committee chair, Kirsten Riddick at kriddick@gigisplayhouse.org
Development & Fundraising Committee
- Build annual fundraising plan and ensure its execution
- Donor stewardship, acknowledgements & communications
- Manage pipeline for grants, major gifts and 3rd party events
- Research, write, and follow up on grants; manage grant pipeline
- Seek and secure 3rd party fundraising events
- Expand base of donors
- Update and maintain donor wall and room naming
- Donor appreciation events
For more information, email the committee chair, Andrea Lopez at alopez@gigisplayhouse.org
Events Committee
- Separate committee for each major fundraising events and for family events, anniversary party, etc.
- Propose budget for the event
- Handle event logistics and planning
- Secure event volunteers and sub-committees
- Determine funding sources and methods for the events
For more information, email the committee chair, Doreen Stoutland at dstoutland@gigisplayhouse.org
Special Events Committees:
- GFAC: GiGiFit Acceptance Challenge/5k (family event)
For more information, email the committee chair, Jessica Dubois at jdubois@gigisplayhouse.org - Our Annual Gala (silent, live auction, awards, dinner and speaker)
For more information, email the committee chair, Doreen Stoutland at dstoutland@gigisplayhouse.org
Volunteer Committee
- Recruiting volunteers
- Ensuring volunteers complete required training and onboarding requirements
- Working in collaboration with committees and staff to meet volunteer needs
- Hosting volunteer appreciation events
For more information, email the Volunteer Coordinator, Andrea Lopez at alopez@gigisplayhouse.org