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Volunteer Opportunities

Everyone here at Dahlem is grateful for the dedicated volunteers that donate their most valuable resource, time! We would not be here without you. Thank You!!

We have a number of upcoming and ongoing volunteer opportunities.

If you are interested in volunteering with us, check out the details below:

March 28 – Volunteer Spring Training for school programs and trail leaders.  Assisting with our school field trips can be a highly rewarding experience! Additional information about this half day training is available on our event page. Contact Naturalist Educator, Carrie Benham, to RSVP or with questions.

May 4 – Betty’s Spring Work Bee. We are looking for passionate, dedicated volunteers to assist us with spring clean up and other tasks. Find more details and sign up to volunteer on our event page.

  • Looking to fill both Weekday Afternoons and Weekend positions
  • Weekday Afternoon: 12-4 PM
  • Weekends: Saturdays and Sundays – 10 AM to 4 PM
  • Shifts available – do not need to work the full time. Any time is appreciated!!
  • Assist customers with their sales; answer phone calls after Office Manager leaves; help with mailings; keep the gift shop/exhibit area tidy and in order
  • No experience required
  • TIME COMMITMENT: Weekly
  • Assist with daily camp tasks such as preparing materials and cleaning up
  • Presenters will host activities and programs for different age groups
  • Activities include camp arts and crafts, knot-tying, orienteering, hands-on animal demonstrations, aquatic studies, and so much more!
  • Summer Camp consists of 9 week-long sessions that are either half-day or full days
  • Session begins in June and ends in August
  • Minimal experience required
  • TIME COMMITMENT: Seasonal, Weekly during summer
  • Assist in presenting indoor/outdoor elementary school programs at Dahlem
  • Receive quality training in the school programs YOU select:
  • Spring Programs: Maple Sugaring; Sign of Spring; Who Lives There?; Frogs & Toads, Spring Birds; and Aquatic Studies
  • Fall Programs: Signs of Fall; Nature Prepares for Winter; Animal Homes & Habitats; World of Insects; and Aquatic Studies
  • Programs are offered Tuesday – Friday during school hours
  • No experience required, training is provided
  • TIME COMMITMENT: As needed
  • Help recruit volunteers for events
  • Assist in making event-related decisions, work with corporate sponsors and businesses, solicit for in-kind donations, and communicate with essential volunteers
  • Meet as needed for event
  • No experience required

Annual Events:

  • Chocolate Sensation (February/March)
  • Rock the Dahlem (June)
  • Golf Scramble (July)
  • Birds, Blooms, and Butterflies (August)
  • Benefit Luncheon (October)
  • Goblin Walks (October)
  • Bake Sale (First weekend of December)
  • TIME COMMITMENT: Weekly to Monthly
  • Assist with light or heavy trail maintenance/repair
  • Receive training and hands-on experience in invasive plant removal
  • Assist with regular grounds and facility maintenance
  • Provide skilled labor in carpentry, plumbing, etc. if experienced
  • Cut N’ Dab Group – Meets weekly on Thursday mornings, 9AM
  • No experience required
  • TIME COMMITMENT: Weekly to Monthly
  • Assist in weekly/monthly animal care for Dahlem’s live turtles and Zebra Finches
  • Receive training in animal care and habitat cleaning
  • Manage outdoor feeding stations by cleaning, filling, and maintaining wild bird feeders
  • Care for seasonal live exhibits including monarchs, snakes, and pond critters
  • Prior experience with animals is preferred but not required
  • TIME COMMITMENT: Daily to Weekly
  • Reach out to Dahlem members who’s memberships are soon expiring
  • Communicate via phone to members notifying them of upcoming expiration, and encourage renewal through Dahlem’s website
  • Volunteers will follow a prepared script and gain feedback from members when possible
  • Memberships last 12 months and there are members in need of renewal each month
  • No experience required
  • TIME COMMITMENT: Weekly to Monthly
  • Be present in the public by representing Dahlem and its mission. Work to target people unfamiliar with Dahlem and encourage them to get involved (through volunteering, membership, donating, etc.)
  • Recruit members of the community to attend Point of Entry events at Dahlem to gain familiarity with the organization
  • Maintain relationships by communicating via phone, email, or in person
  • Organize Table Captains for the Annual October Benefit Luncheon, advising Table Captains to retain seven or more guests for the event
  • No experience required
  • TIME COMMITMENT: Weekly to Monthly

The active committees at the Dahlem Center are essential in planning and guiding the organization to established goals and focus areas. There are currently four committees that are open for the public to join, they include:

  • DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: Focuses in the areas of fundraising, event planning, donor relations, membership, and corporate sponsorships. Meetings are currently held the last Tuesday of every month from 4:30 PM to 5:15 PM. Please contact Margaux Dever mdever@dahlemcenter.org or 517-782-3453 x 104 for more information.
  • MARKETING COMMITTEE: Focuses in the areas of public relations, marketing, promotional activities/materials, social media, and the Dahlem website. This committee is not currently active, but we are looking for volunteers to revitalize this initiative. Please contact Margaux Dever mdever@dahlemcenter.org or 517-782-3453 x 104 for more information.
  • EDUCATION COMMITTEE: Focuses in the areas of educational school programs for all ages such as summer camp, seasonal programs, weekend programs, interactive exhibits, and informational signage. There are currently no regularly scheduled meetings at this time, but an increase in committee members would enable regular meetings. Please contact Carrie Benham cbenham@dahlemcenter.org or 517-782-3453- x 106 for more information.
  • FINANCE COMMITTEE: Focuses in the areas of budgetary review and determining Dahlem’s financial needs. Meetings are typically held on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 8:30 AM at the Dahlem Center. Please contact Ben Dandrow bdandrow@dahlemcenter.org or 517-782-3453 x 103 for more information.
  • Assist staff to recruit new volunteers and maintain accurate contact information
  • Manage records for volunteers (time logs, general info, emergency contact, etc)
  • Plan volunteer events (Appreciation Celebration, Open House, Work-Bee Days)
  • Recruit volunteers for specific events and programs throughout the year
  • Cultivate new volunteer prospects, serve as point of contact for Dahlem volunteers
  • No Experience Required
  • TIME COMMITMENT: Weekly to Monthly

If you are interested in one or more volunteer opportunities listed, please contact our Office via email (contact@dahlemcenter.org), call our office at (517) 782-3453, or complete the form below today!

Thank you for your interest in volunteering, we hope to see you soon!