There are many ways to contribute to WGVU, your local PBS and NPR station, and donating your time is one of the most valuable.
As we continue to expand our many community events throughout West Michigan, and as we strive to raise the necessary funds to pay for our programs and outreach, we welcome members from the community and avid WGVU listeners/viewers to become part of our mission: to educate, inform and entertain.
Volunteering with WGVU is fun and offers you the chance to see how the radio and television stations operate from the inside. There are also plenty of opportunities to meet new and diverse people, with a common interest - supporting quality programs and events at WGVU!
December Volunteer THANK YOUS
CLERICAL ASSISTANCE Heidi Dysktra - Office Help Telephone Pioneers - Monthly Mailing Upward Bound - Special Mailing
CLUBHOUSE PARTY Kurshad Forbes Lindasia Kennedy
TV MEMBERSHIP DRIVE ON-AIR TALENT Catherine Cibulka Kent Fisher George McKellar Sharon Yentsch
TV MEMBERSHIP DRIVE PHONE BANK OPERATORS Grand Rapids Model Railroad Historical Society Grand Valley State University Alpha Phi Sigma Grand Valley State University College of Community and Public Service Grand Valley State University Criminal Justice Notre Dame Club of Grand Rapids Ohio State Alumni Club of West Michigan Riverbend Model Railroad Club Sunset Valley Oregon System
TV MEMBERSHIP DRIVE GENERAL ASSISTANCE Pamela Sue Austin Kathy Botsis LaVerne Chester Katie Geeseman Diane McCue Sarah Wiltenburg
Volunteer Benefits
You have our deepest appreciation and gratitude for your time and energy devoted to WGVU
You get a behind the scenes look at the operations of WGVU events
You meet interesting people (other volunteers, national and local celebrities)
You serve the entire West Michigan community (19 counties)
You may participate in the event to which you are volunteering
You become the envy of family and friends when they see or hear you on WGVU
You will be provided beverages, snacks and meals (if you are volunteering during meal time)
You will receive a photo of your volunteer experience for your newsletter, bulletin board or web site
You will be provided with statistics (number of members and dollars raised) for your newsletter or web site
You receive a WGVU logo items as a reminder of your visit and as a thank you for your participation
You may wear logo items of your group/organization while on air
You may bring a banner or other logo item to display of your group/organization
You get a feeling of pride knowing that you have made a difference
You could get invites to events in which you do not have to volunteer to attend
If you are volunteering with a group or organization, a representative of your choosing will be briefly interviewed on air (if time permits)
Volunteer Job Descriptions (Click the titles to see the different positions for each event)
ON-AIR TALENT - Sit in front of microphones and encourage listeners to call and pledge finanacial support for the station. Must have training before on-air appearance
PHONE BANK OPERATOR - Answer phones to take membership pledges. Instructions provided before each shift
PLEDGE STUDIO COORDINATOR - Train phone bank operators; gather and tally pledges during breaks; host/hostess for studio talent and guests (set up snacks, beverages, etc.). Training beforehand
DOOR VALET - Let people in the locked entries of the studios and direct them to the activity area
ON-AIR TALENT - Stand before camera and encourage viewers to call and pledge financial support for the station. Must have training before on-air apperance
PHONE BANK OPERATOR - Answer phone to take membership pledges. Instructions provided before each shift
PLEDGE STUDIO COORDINATOR - Train phone bank operators; gather and tally pledges during breaks; host/hostess for studio talent and guests (set up snacks, beverages, etc.). Training beforehand
DOOR VALET - Let people in the locked entries of the studios and direct them to the activity area
ON-AIR TALENT - Stand before camera and encourage viewers to call and pledge financial support for the station. Must have training before on-air apperance
PHONE BANK OPERATOR - Answer phone to take membership pledges. Instructions provided before each shift
PLEDGE STUDIO COORDINATOR - Train phone bank operators; gather and tally pledges during breaks; host/hostess for studio talent and guests (set up snacks, beverages, etc.). Training beforehand
Food, Wine & All That Jazz The Great Wine & Food Symposium Tha Kalamazoo Food & Wine Fest
AFTER VOLUNTEER DINNER SET UP/CLEAN UP - Set up and clean up before/after pre-event volunteer information dinner.
COAT CHECK - Organize area before and after event. Check in and retrieve coats for guests and volunteers
FLOATER - Stroll the floor collecting abandoned trays and glasses (from staris, tables, etc.) and take to kitchen for cleaning. General hellp if needed
FLOOR/AREA LEADER - Responsible for all volunteers on your floor or area (except cleaning crew). Also check with vendors to make sure they have what they need
KITCHEN CLEAN UP - Receive dirty glasses (if any), rinse out and put back in racks. Also receive pans, pitchers and tubs - rinse, dry and stack for storage. Mop floor before leaving
LOBBY CLEAN UP - Gather glasses (if any), dump wine, rinse and put glasses in racks. Also collect pans, pitchers and tubs and then take to kitchen. Mop floor before leaving area
PRE-EVENT TICKET SALES - Keep track of ticket sales and provide info for next wine event
PROGRAM DISTRIBUTOR - Hand out extra programs and pencils on assigned floors or area
PROGRAM DISTRIBUTOR COORDINATOR - Supply Distributors and the Program Distributors on each floor with programs and pencils
SET UP - Set up coat entry area; put out clean trays and glasses; set up water coolers and assist staff in preparing for event
TEAR DOWN - Retrieve water coolers and bubblers; takes down signage; dismantle and retrieve coat racks; and load WGVU truck in appropriate order as directed by the coordinator. This position requires heavy lifting
VOLUNTEER CHECK IN - Hand out nametags and check name off list as volunteers arrive for their shift. When volunteers leave at the end of their shift, collect items that have to be returned to WGVU (ex. aprons) for storage
WELL RUNNER - Maintains water pitchers; get ice; empty (spit/dump) buckets; check for broken glass/spills (notify Floor/Area Leader); general help if needed
WINE POURER - Assist the distributor with pouring beverages for patrons
New events may be added that will require the assistance of volunteers. We will try to keep you informed; however, feel free to check back often for updates.
For more information, contact Linda Kennedy at 616-331-6777 or e-mail her at volunteer@wgvu.org
Annual Events and Fundraisers
January
Currently Nothing Scheduled
February
The Great Wine & Food Symposium
March
TV Membership Drive
April
Radio Membership Drive
Online Auction
May
Get Up and GO!
The Kalamazoo Food & Wine Fest
June
TV Membership Drive
July
Currently Nothing Scheduled
August
KidsDay at the Zoo
Saturday Night Alive
September
TV Membership Drive
October
Radio Membership Drive
Food, Wine & All That Jazz
November
Currently Nothing Scheduled
December
TV Membership Drive
ClubHouse Membership Celebration
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of the WGVU family!
