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| [SHSND Commitment to Volunteers] [Volunteer Commitment to The SHSND] [Volunteer Privileges] [Recognition] [Continuing Education] [Tax Benefits] [Volunteer Voices - current issue in PDF format] |
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| Volunteers are essential to the quality of service provided to the public by the State Historical Society of North Dakota. In addition to the thousands of visitors at the North Dakota Heritage Center, Pembina State Museum, and historic sites each year, the agency responds to many inquiries and provides assistance to researchers. At the North Dakota Heritage Center, public areas such as the information desk and museum store are staffed by volunteers, and docents provide museum teaching for visitors. Some historic sites are also staffed by volunteers, such as the Former Governors' Mansion in Bismarck during the summer months. Volunteers assisting staff have an impact on services provided statewide by the agency. |
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The volunteer program results from the desire to involve the public in activities of the agency and to meet certain needs. When the Heritage Center was opened on May 30, 1981, a group of volunteers was trained and on hand to give tours of the facility and to staff the information desk and museum store. Within a year, the program expanded to provide volunteers to staff special behind-the-scenes projects and a docents program. Volunteers currently work with paid staff throughout the agency on projects of varying degrees of complexity, from those requiring simple skills to the very specialized. |
| Volunteers represent a broad spectrum of society in terms
of work experience, age, education, and ability. All volunteer work assigned
is important; every effort is made to coordinate volunteer skills and interests
with needs of the State Historical Society. The visitor services coordinator
is responsible for the overall functions of the program and reports to the
director of the Museum and Education Division. |
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The State Historical Society of North Dakota is committed to the volunteer program and agrees to:
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Volunteers agree to:
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Once registered as a volunteer, the individual is placed on the mailing list for Volunteer Voices, a quarterly newsletter for volunteers. Coffee breaks and use of the staff lounge are governed by practices of paid staff; volunteers do not pay for their coffee.
Volunteers receive a fifteen percent discount in the Glass Box and they become honorary members of the State Historical Society of North Dakota and the North Dakota Heritage Foundation, which places them on the mailing list for North Dakota History and Plains Talk.
Two recognition events are held annually. The Volunteer Valentine Social in February and the Volunteer Recognition Banquet in August.
A number of awards are presented at the banquet.
The Hospitality Award is presented to the individual having served in the public area promoting the State Historical Society of North Dakota with exceptional enthusiasm and loyalty.
The Curatorial Award is for exceptional achievements and assistance to staff in non-public areas.
The Dedication Award is presented to the individual having served the most hours from May 1, 2001 to April 30, 2002.
Past award winners include:
ANNUAL VOLUNTEER AWARD RECIPIENTS
1983 Harold Derrick Fritz Wolf Keith Kepler 1984 Mavis Strinden Oscar Hay Grace Wanttaja Lee Hodney 1985 Katie Schreiber Oscar Hay Bob Olgeirson T. Rhoades, S. Roehrich 1986 Al Jacobsen Sharon Springer Carol Moreland "" 1987 Beth Hill Sharon Springer Evelyn Olgeirson 1988 Howard Nelson Sharon Springer Jim Maher 1989 Adaline Perry Harold Derrick Edna Jennings 1990 Inez Oye Adam Paul Marlene Hastings Jesse Ehreth 1991 Lorraine Paulson Ione Towne Al Schrenk Annette Newborg 1992 Karol Peterson Pat Stalnaker K&K Mahlum Michele Gutenkist 1993 Shirley Lacher Correen Brewster Betty Mohler 1994 Anna Mae Mandigo Roy Putz John Rauser 1995 Al Twedt Pat Stalnaker Beth Aune 1996 Bernie Swang Ione Towne Cleo Moore 1997 Helen Schick JR Durham Lilian Wilson &
Lois Hanson
1998 Jeannette Radig Ardis Fromm Winnie DeLong
Grace Wantajja
Janet Beltran
1999 Virginia George Don Aho Virginia Berger
Katherine & Klyde Mahlum
John Rauser Kaye Halvorson
Lillian Wilson
Elinor Friez 2000 Marian Brandt Doris Elness &
Lila Wood
Terry Ringland 2001 Ione Sands Doris Elness Robert &
Terry Ringland2002 Wally Engel Ed Lahr Richard Cunningham 2003 Marilyn Campbell Scott Andes Scott Andes Jake Sayler 2004 Ed and Erna Lahr Scott Andes Verlyn Larson; Bill Hendrickson Lexie Zachmeier
Training and education is a major component of the Heritage Volunteer Program. By providing training, the Society is accomplishing two things: developing a pool of skilled volunteers and providing volunteer staff opportunity for growth.
Each Heritage Volunteer has the opportunity to participate in three forms of training: orientation, job-specific or skills training, and continuing education. Each volunteer is required to attend orientation, which provides a broad view of the agency and its work. Orientation involves a behind-the-scenes look, as well as specifics about the volunteer program.
Skills training is very specific to the volunteer position. Sometimes, skills training is provided one-on-one or on-the-job; sometimes, in a classroom format.
Continuing education is available in many different forms for the North Dakota Heritage Volunteers. "Communicating with Foreign Visitors," an art history lecture given by a visiting curator, and field trips are examples. The Heritage Volunteers have the opportunity to attend the annual Governor's Conference on North Dakota History.
Mileage, cab fare, and other transportation costs may be deducted from federal income tax as donations to nonprofit organizations. Because specifics change from year to year, please check with a tax professional for any given time period. The time card serves as verification of volunteer activity.
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WANT MORE INFORMATION?
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Contact the Visitor Services Coordinator at bcampbell@state.nd.us
Copyright ©1999-2005 State Historical Society of North Dakota. You are free to use information from these pages for any non-commercial purpose. Any use of this information should credit the State Historical Society of North Dakota.