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.