Performance Counts, May 2015
So how are our volunteers doing?
Just in case anyone reading this newsletter is unfamiliar with the role of volunteers at JMM we offer this helpful guide:
Volunteers are a treasured JMM resource. Our volunteers play an important role in helping the Museum fulfill its mission. They provide many valuable services that supplement the basic essential functions of the staff. We utilize volunteers in two distinct areas – the front of the museum and the back of the museum. The volunteers in the front of the museum have direct contact with our visitors. The remaining volunteers work in the back of the museum and can generally be found in the library. Complete training is offered for all of our volunteer positions.
Front Desk Reception
The front desk reception volunteers provide an invaluable service to the Museum by maintaining a warm and welcome atmosphere for Museum guests. They serve as the Museum’s customer service representatives while orienting visitors to the Museum complex. By informing visitors about tour times, current and upcoming exhibitions, and programs, they provide information about all services that the Museum offers. Other tasks include processing admission fees for groups and individuals, answering the telephone, and maintaining an accurate daily count of visitors.
Museum Docents
Museum docents possess an interest in history and enjoy sharing their knowledge with others. They perform an essential duty by leading tours and by interpreting the history of the Museum’s two historic synagogues and exhibitions for adults, families, and school groups of all ages. A series of training sessions is offered to those interested in joining our docent corps and focuses on the history of Baltimore’s Jewish community.
Museum Gift Shop
The Museum’s gift shop, filled with beautiful Judaica, Museum catalogs, and exhibition related merchandise, is a destination for Museum visitors. Gift shop volunteers assist guests with purchases, process cash and credit card payments, arrange merchandise on shelves and in windows, and assist the shop manager with ordering merchandise and conducting store inventory.
Special Events
Throughout the year, the Museum holds many programs and special events. Programs include exhibition openings, family holiday programs, lectures, film series, and theatrical and musical performances. Special event volunteers provide much needed assistance with these events by greeting visitors, processing admission fees, maintaining an accurate count of visitors, helping with refreshments, selling memberships, and facilitating art projects.
Archives
The Library and Archives of the JMM offers a variety of volunteer opportunities. Projects include organizing archival collections, preparing collections for proper storage, creating documents to assist researchers, and digital imaging. Archives projects are conducive to long term or temporary volunteering. Typing and computer skills are preferred, but not always required. All new volunteers will be given an orientation to the care and handling of archival objects.
Collections
Volunteers in the collections department will work on a variety of projects. These include writing catalog records for objects, taking digital photographs of objects (camera provided, or you can use your own), organizing collection records, sorting incoming artifacts, helping to store and pack artifacts, and preparing objects in the collection for exhibition. Temporary assignments are available. Experience in the handling of fragile items is desired, but not required.
Genealogy
Volunteers use their expertise to assist researchers in The Robert L. Weinberg Family History Center. They offer support with the interpretation of the many resources available for pursuing family history and genealogical research. This includes providing lookups, searching out tombstones, and much more. Experience in genealogical research is required.
The Bottom Line
All told our volunteers contribute over 7,000 hours annually. This number also includes members of our Board of Directors and our Summer Interns. The Independent Sector values an hour of volunteer time in the state of Maryland at $26.41. That calculates to a contribution of almost $185,000.00 to the JMM in the last year. We welcome new volunteers to the JMM year round and appreciate our volunteers dearly. Please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Ilene Cohen at 410-732-6400 x217.