The Sky’s no limit for Volunteers at the Dudley Observatory!

We are looking for student and adult volunteers who have ideas, and the drive and enthusiasm to implement them.  You will work with colleagues and senior Dudley Board members who are entrepreneurs, educators, university faculty, and corporate technologists.  We hope you will share your talents, while discovering new interests.  Please consider which volunteer opportunities interest you, and contact the Dudley Observatory. 

Thank you

Use your Financial Wizardry

Identify and pursue grant opportunities
Build Membership and Development programs
Invent and implement membership campaigns
Friend-raising

Plan and Organize Events

Star parties & Film festivals
Fundraising & member events                
Special Exhibits and Lectures

Web Design

Improve & Manage Website

 Use Astronomy to attract students to science

Mentor students
Brainstorm creative educational approaches
Talk to student groups

Explore History of Albany and History of Astronomy

Stage exhibits using artifacts, archives and rare books
Mine archives and books for interesting stories
Tell the stories to interested groups –
Students, Historical Societies, Archivists, Libraries…   

Volunteer Job Description
Organization	Dudley Observatory
Title	Volunteer
Objectives	The Dudley Observatory, chartered by the State of New York in 1852, is the oldest independent organization in the country supporting research and education in astronomy and the history of astronomy.
Duties and Responsibilities	Use your talents to strengthen our organization while you develop new skills. Typically, each person has a main project such as: Update library and membership databases Transcribe oral history tapes Digitize archival material Everyone spends some time on group efforts, such as events and bulk mailings
Qualifications and Requirements	Self-motivation Looking for new challenges and opportunities Ability to see what needs to be done
Lines of Communication	Volunteers work closely with Executive Director Please let us know if there are specific skills you would like to learn.
Orientation and Training	Training will be provided on the job.  We also encourage you  to train us in your area of expertise – computers, graphic design…
Times Needed and Place of Work	Flexible, but we do expect volunteers to let staff know when they are coming and to alert them if they cannot make it for pre-scheduled appointments.  Some projects can be done from home.
Time Commitment	Minimum of 20 hours during one semester or summer
Benefits	Volunteers receive excellent job experience, and are better prepared for future academic work or employment.