Volunteering

So much of what we do is accomplished, in great part, with the generous help of museum friends. With that in mind, we invite you to join our wonderfully vibrant group of volunteers by contributing your time and talents.

Without making a major time commitment, your help can make a tremendous difference and is always hugely appreciated. We have over 150 volunteers who step forward every year to help, some in small ways, some in big, without which our growing success would not be possible. If you are ready to sign up, or would like to inquire about possibilities, please contact our offices, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., (781) 925-5433.

At The Point Allerton Station

Mailing and Distribution Team
If you have a passion for paperwork, organization, and publicity, you have come to the right place. Our mailing team always needs extra hands for stuffing, sorting, and stamping mail, and for distributing flyers and posters in the South Shore area.
Time commitment: 1 or 2 mornings per month.

Office Assistance
In the office, opportunities abound from assisting in processing membership renewals and sending thank you gifts, to labeling our extensive photo archive, to routine clerical tasks.
Time commitment: 1 morni ng per week.

Curatorial Department
We have continuing opportunities for accessioning new acquisitions onto our Past Perfect database and are seeking a librarian to help catalogue our book collection as a member of the SouthEastern Massachusetts Library System (SEMLS). Some training would be involved which we will cheerfully provide.
Time commitment: 1 morning or afternoon per week.

Special Events at the Stat ion
Taste of the South Shore, Jan uary 21, 2005
Our joint fundraiser with Wellsp ring Hull is always a delightful evening for members and newcomers. Volunteers are needed to help solicit vendors, goods, and serv ices, to assist in setting up our Silent Auction, choose performers for t he evening, and to set up the event space.
Time commitment: 1 morning per week, more as the event draws nearer.

Seaside Holiday Fair, Saturday and Sunday, December 11 and 12, 2004
This event is a “must do” for visitors from all over the South Shore and Greater B oston. We have openings for set up, staffing the membership table, and assisting our educator with children's activities.
Time commitment: 3 or 4 hours

At the Windmill Point Boathouse
Boathouse Maintenance
Our much-used boathouse is always in need of care. Routine chores such as sweeping, organizing hand tools, coiling lines, and marlinspike seamanship are appreciated. Additionally, carpenters, electricians, and plumbers are as precious as gold!
Time commitment: 1 day per week

Boat and Equipment Maintenance
Talented people with knowledge of small boat repairs are deeply valued. Our wood and carbon-graphite oars have persistent needs, including healing nicks, painting blades, replacing collars, and revarnishing. In constant heavy use, our boats take a beating from their crews and the elements. A range of repair work is always needed and much appreciated.
Time commitment: 1 day or evening per week

Upcoming Maritime Program Events

The Head of the Weir River Race, Saturday, October
Many volunteers are needed to run this race that typically includes over 50 boat entries. Opportunities include operating chase boats, assistance with registration, the membership table, and the on-site Museum Store, soup and dessert donations (always a huge need!), food set-up and service, and clean-up at the Windmill Point Boathouse.
Time commitment: day of race

The Icebreaker: Northeast Regional Championship Youth Races, November
This museum event is the largest youth-only rowing race in New England. Each year, 200 kids in 20 boats compete in round-robin races. To accomplish this feat, we need chase boats, starters, timers, boat handlers, food set-up and service.
Time commitment: 1 day per year

The Snow Row, March
It’s never too early to start planning for the biggest rowing event of the year. As always, we will need chase boats, assistance with registration, the membership table, and the on-site Museum Store, soup and dessert donations, food set-up and service, and clean-up.
Time commitment: 2-5 hours day of the race