GET INVOLVED AS A Y VOLUNTEER
At the Y, your time and talent go a long way. Every hour you spend as a Y volunteer translates into the caring attention a child or teen needs to grow up healthy and resilient. It translates into support for families so they can be successful and strong. Into healthier lives for people of all ages, backgrounds, abilities and incomes. Into a safer, more viable community that’s a good place to live and work.
As a Y volunteer, you can lead an exercise class, read to a preschool class, coach a basketball team, cook for a bake sale, design a program brochure, greet people at the front desk, find items for an auction, serve as a role model for young people, help out in the office or at a special event, or be part of a group or committee working on a neighborhood problem. No matter how you help, you’ll make a big difference as you work with others to create a feeling of connectedness in your community.
The basic definition of a Y volunteer is “anyone who willingly gives time to help the YMCA accomplish its mission without getting paid by the Y.” In the Y movement, we have five categories of volunteers:
1. Program volunteers help lead programs or assist in delivering programs (e.g., a program instructor, coach, aide or member of a program advisory council). This category also includes those who offer community service as participants in a YMCA program (e.g., the members of a Hi-Y club, or school-age children who interact with adults as part of an intergenerational buddy program).
Current Bay Area Family Y Opportunities:
Swim Lesson Assistant
Flag Football Coach
Flag Football Referee
Youth Basketball Coach
Youth Basketball Referee
Youth Room Assistant
2. Support volunteers serve in the office, at the front desk, in the locker room or on the grounds.
Current Bay Area Family Y Opportunities:
Distribution of school flyers
Data Entry
Record Filing
Lawn Maintenance
3. Fundraising volunteers raise money by working in annual, sustaining, capital or other special campaigns; working on endowment development; or by working at or running special events.
Current Bay Area Family Y Opportunities:
Diamond and Roses Committee – Decorating Committee, Silent Auction Committee
4th of July Parking Committee
“Strong Kids” Annual Support Campaign Volunteer
Y “Building Our Future” Capital Campaign Volunteer
Member Appreciation Day Greeter
4. Policy volunteers serve on the Y’s board of directors, on a committee or task force. Current Bay Area Family Y Opportunities:
Facilities Committee Member
Membership, Marketing and Program Committee member
Financial Development Committee Member
Spiritual Life Committee Member (Lenten Luncheon Series)
Y Board of Directors (Interested individuals are referred to the Board Development Committee for Considertion)
5. Managerial volunteers help manage and administer Y operations and programs (e.g., a pro-bono accountant or PR specialist).
Current Bay Area Family Y Opportunities:
Marketing Assistant
Please note that young people can serve in all of the above capacities as long as, like adults, they have the proper skills, training and supervision.
To solve the problems closest to home-or better yet-prevent them-the Y.