Listed below are current longer-term (versus one-day) volunteer opportunities currently or soon-to-be available with the City of Tempe. To apply, please contact the Volunteer Office at 480-350-5190 or the contact person listed after the posting. Please also visit "One-time Projects/Events" for information on short-term volunteer opportunities, "Group Projects" or "Student Opportunities" for student volunteer opportunities.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULTS
Buddy Bowling Volunteers Sought
Buddy Bowling is a program offered through the city's Adapted Recreation office that allows individuals with special needs to enjoy the sport of bowling. Volunteers help bowlers set-up and prepare, assist bowlers where needed, serve as team captain, and ensure that the games run smoothly. Games are played on Saturday morning in Tempe. Volunteers age 16 and up are needed for the summer league from May 11 to August 3, and must be available to help at least 50% of the time. When possible, volunteers can join in and bowl at a reduced rate.
Tech-saavy Volunteer Needed for the Veteran's History Project
The Veteran's History Project is a program to interview and video record the memories of our nation's veteran's. Interviews are then submitted and filed with the Library of Congress. The Tempe project needs help with downloading the interviews from the VHP camera onto DVD discs using Pixela ImageMixer 3SE and Magix Movie Edit Pro 15 Plus. Work can be done at home at your convenience or in the Project office in the Tempe History Museum. Contact Larry Conway at gcids4@yahoo.com or the city's volunteer office at 480-350-5190.
Library Computer Aides
Volunteers are needed to provide assistance to library patrons using the computers n the Computer Commons area of the library, as well as oversee the library's study rooms. Typical computer issues are a frozen screen, sending items to the library printer, setting up email accounts, using the Web. If you are computer saavy and enjoying help others be so, this could be the opportunity for you. Shifts are available days, evenings and weekends. Contact the volunteer office at 480-350-5190.
Library Used Book Shop Volunteers
The Friends of the Tempe Public Library run a used book shop located inside the library. Funds generated by book sales are donated back to the library to support children's and other library programs. If you enjoy people, books and the Tempe Public Library, this is the volunteer opportunity for you! Call the City Volunteer office at 480-350-5190 to sign-up.
Library Homebound Volunteer
The Tempe Public Library delivers books to elderly and disabled homebound residents through the assistance of a volunteer. Deliveries are made three times per month on late Wednesday afternoons. Volunteer must provide their own transportation, have a good driving record and proof of insurance; a criminal history background check is required. Call the Volunteer Office at 480-350-5190.
Fitness Center Aides
Volunteers are needed to work in the Fitness Center at the Kiwanis Recreation Center. Volunteers oversee the Center and advise customers of the fitness center guidelines; assist in cleaning of all equipment, including wiping down cardio and strength equipment every hour; keep fitness center clear of debris and re-rack any weights that have been left out; report any fitness machines in need of repair; and conduct both scheduled and impromptu fitness center orientations. Weekday, weekend and evening shifts are available. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. Contact the Volunteer Office at 480-350-5190.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH
Just two volunteer oportunities remain with the City's Summer Volunteer Program for Students. We are looking for a volunteer who has completed sixth grade to assist with the Tempe Public Library's Summer Reading Program on Wednesdays from 4:30 to 8 p.m.
We are also looking for a volunteer with a strong dance background and age 15 or above to assist with Dance Camp on Mndays and Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through July 31.
For either opportunity, please call the Volunteer Office at 480-350-5190 to apply.
OTHER
ADAPTED RECREATION
Camp Challenge, a summer day camp program for children and young adults ages 5 to 22 years with disabilities, is seeking volunteers to assist paid staff with running games and activities. The program runs Monday through Thursday during June and July. Volunteers are asked to serve at least one day per week, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. Call the volunteer office for more information.
FOR THOSE 50+
Needlewielders
Volunteers meet in a social setting to knit, crochet and sew items that are then donated to Veteran's facilities, crisis nurseries, homeless shelters, etc. The Needlewielders meet on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pyle Adult Recreation Center. Apply at the Center's front desk.
Kitchen Band
If you enjoy music and entertaining, the Kitchen Band could be for you! Volunteers play kazoos and other crazy instruments to entertain at nursing homes, senior centers and more. Practices are on Mondays from 9:30 to 11:30 starting September 12, at the Pyle Adult Recreation Center. Apply at the Center's front desk. The band is currently looking for a percussionist.
Senior Songbirds
If you seriously like to sing or like to sing more seriously, then consider the Songbirds. This group also entertains around the east valley. Practices are Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Pyle Adult Recreation Center.
TEMPE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Volunteering with the Tempe Police Department requires completion of an application and interview, fingerprinting, criminal history background check and polygraph examination. Volunteers generally serve for four hours per week, preferably for at least a year. Contact the Volunteers in Policing Coordinator Christine Kling at 480-350-8780 for more information and to apply.
Alarm Unit Call Back
Volunteers are needed both short- and long-term to assist with answering the phone line and returning calls. Priority times are Mondays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by remianing weekday mornings.
Mounted Patrol
Volunteers are needed who are physically able to assist with caring for horses, including feeding, frooming and mucking stalls.
Warrant Surrender Callers
Volunteers are needed to call individuals with outstanding misdemeanor warrants with Tempe city Court to offer them the opportunity to take care of those warrants.
VIP Briefing Assistant
Help organize and plan the monthly briefing sessions for members of the Volunteers in Policing program. Duties include contacting speakers, reserving meeting room and equipment, assist with any set-up. Meetings take place one weekday evening per month from 6-8:30 p.m.; volunteer would arrive one-half to one-hour in advance and post-meeting.
Patrol Fleet
Help keep Tempe's Police fleet represent the community well with a clean fleet of police vehicles. Volunteers take Police vehicles to the car wash and help clean out the inside of cars.
Photographer
A volunteer is needed on-call to photograph Police special events and award ceremonies.
Motorist Service
Volunteers drive a city vehicle and issue citations for handicapped parking violations , assist with traffic at accident scenes, assist stranded motorists and help educate the public regarding parking violations.
DUI Van Operator
Operate and maintain the mobile DUI van during peak hours (7 p.m. 4 a.m.) one day per week. Volunteer is responsible for upkeep of the interior and exterior of the van, as well as identifying and maintaining equipment and supplies.
Tour guides
Volunteers are needed to provide tours to school and other groups who wish to tour Tempe Police Station(s) and find out more about their city Police Department.
Pipe Band
The City of Tempe has a pipe band that plays at Police and other civic events. Needed are drummers and bagpipers. Piping instruction is available free of charge to interested volunteers.
OTHER WEBSITES TO CHECK FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
http://www.forourcity.org/Tempe.html
http://tempekarma.org/home.php
http://www.volunteermatch.org/
Opportunities with other agencies