VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
NON-DISASTER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Health and Safety Instructor
Train to become a volunteer Health and Safety Instructor teaching CPR, First Aid, AED (Automated External Defibulator) and more.
Internships: Volunteer Services, Disaster Services and Financial Development
Internships can be done on a credit or non-credit basis. Internships consist of at least 10 hours a week, for at least 10 weeks.
Special Events Assistant
This position has the primary responsibility for the coordination of special events ensuring a vital outreach presence in the community. Responsibilities include project research, logistics, volunteer scheduling and event presence. (Spring/Summer.)
Website Management
This position is primarily responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the American Red Cross, Mt. Baker Chapter website to ensure information enhances and disseminates the core values and mission of the American Red Cross.
Administrative Assistance
We are always in need of folks to help us stay organized and ready to provide all the services to our community that we do. Administrative tasks can be done on a project basis or as an ongoing opportunity.
DISASTER SERVICES VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteers are needed to fulfill a variety of roles for Disaster Services - everything from assessing the damage in a neighborhood due to floods or other disasters, working with merchants and potential shelter sites on agreements should the need arise, bookkeeping and statistical gathering, and liaison activities with various government agencies, community agencies involved in disasters and at-risk populations. These are just a few of the varied opportunities for volunteers with Red Cross Disaster Services.
Community Disaster Education Team Members
The Community Disaster Education Team makes community presentations regarding disaster preparedness, Red Cross services, and other disaster and community related topics. This is the perfect opportunity for anyone who enjoys meeting the public and making presentations.
Material Support Systems Team Members
This group is responsible for all of the Chapter's logistical needs, including facilities, supplies, vehicles and appropriate agreements.
Disaster Action Team Responders
These are the volunteers who carry pagers and are the first responders for the Red Cross. Regardless of the event, our Disaster Action Team gets the first call. The most common event is a single family fire. These responders ensure the family receives Red Cross services such as temporary housing assistance, food, clothing, etc. The typical volunteer carries a pager for one week per month. They are never asked to respond alone and are under the direction of a Captain.
Mass Care Action Team Responders
When emergency workers such as firefighters, search and rescue teams, law enforcement, have been on the job for a lengthy time and need food and hydration, it's the Mass Care Action Team that responds. If an apartment complex or neighborhood needed to be evacuated , this team might be called on to provide food and hydration. These volunteers are asked to be available by phone for one week each month.
Health Services Responders
MD's, RN's, LPN's, EMT's and other health care professionals can put their training and skills to use in assisting victims of disasters with replacing eye-glasses, prescription medications, and other health related issues. They assist in shelters and support caseworkers in their work with individual families.
Mental Health Responders
Mental Health professionals who hold Washington State licensure offer emotional support to victims of disasters, volunteers, and staff working during disasters.
Disaster Accounting Associate
Gathering statistics, general accounting, audit activities, preparing reports, and assessing damage and scope of a disaster.
GROUP VOLUNTEERING
Our chapter has a variety of fun, one-day group projects that support the Red Cross mission. We have a range of different volunteer opportunities including disaster services, health and safety training, youth mentoring and fund-raising. If you have a group and are interested in supporting the Red Cross, contact us at volunteer@mtbredcross.org and we will work with you to find a project that fits.
If you have an idea, we would love to hear about it! Currently we have the following projects:
Organize a fundraiser: Ride for the Red Cross, run for the Red Cross, dance for the Red Cross. Help us raise money to help families in our community.
SERVICE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
A Partner in Education
The Mt. Baker Chapter of the American Red Cross is a partner in education with local academic institutions and community organizations including local middle schools, Skagit Valley College, Whatcom Community College and Western Washington University, and Bellingham Parks and Recreation.
Service-Learning is a specific teaching method that links academic learning with hands on experience.
The Red Cross designs service projects that help teachers explain, explore, and emphasize classroom subject matter such as English, social studies, communications, business management, journalism, and many other disciplines.
Educators interested in organizing Service-Learning projects can contact Volunteer Services at 360-733-3290 Ext. 1015. Western Washington University (WWU) professors or students interested in Service-Learning can contact the WWU Center for Service-Learning at 360-650-7542, or go to their website at http://www.wwu.edu/depts/csl/.
