IRL Volunteer Opportunities
IRL Program Assistants
# of Volunteers Needed: 1-2 Volunteers per program(approx. 20)
Time Commitment: At least one afternoon per week 3:00pm-5:30pm (approx. 2.5 hrs). We ask each Program Assistant to commit to 8 or 12 weeks(depending on Session length) with at least one Program per week, however volunteers are encouraged to work with multiple programs on multiple days as long as schedules do not conflict.
Duties: Program Assistants work within a specific program under the supervision of a Service Provider. Program Assistants work directly with students to make sure their needs are met by answering questions, monitoring their safety and most importantly, providing positive mentorship through daily one-on-one and small-group interactions. Program Assistants may also assist with snack distribution, checking attendance, hall monitoring, and chaperoning during program-specific outings. IRL is committed to matching Program Assistants with programs where their individual skills and interests are needed so that they get the most out of their volunteer experience. Program Assistants have the opportunity to connect with a specific group of students and watch them grow and learn—creating meaningful interpersonal connections that can last beyond the session’s end.
Useful Skills to Have: Patience, flexibility, experience working with students, willingness to get your hands dirty, sense of creativity and fun, willingness to work under direction of a specific Service Provider. If you like playing group sports, making art projects, dancing, science and discovery, helping with homework and drama games, this position is for you!
IRL Office Assistants
# of Volunteers Needed: 1-2 Volunteers per day
Time Commitment: At least one morning per week 10:00am-12:00pm or one afternoon per week 3:00-5:30pm(approx. 2.5hrs). Because Office Assistants do not work directly within Programs, they can choose how many days/week they would like to volunteer and whether they would like to work mornings, afternoons, or both. We ask each Office Assistant to commit to 8 or 12 weeks(depending on Session length) and would appreciate someone who is willing to volunteer on multiple days so that they can work efficiently within IRL’s database and contacts.
Duties: IRL Office Assistants play a vital role in ensuring the smooth functioning of our organization’s daily programming. Office Assistants can choose to work either in the mornings or in the afternoons, and each time slot has its own unique set of activities. Morning Office Assistants spend their time doing much needed organizational work in the IRL office. They create and update contact lists, update databases with student information, and help IRL staff prepare logistically for afternoon programs. Afternoon Office Assistants assist by making phone calls to the parents of absent students, recording attendance and supporting IRL staff during their afternoon duties. Office Assistants provide extremely necessary structural support that ensures IRL’s success as an organization. Office Assistants should not expect to work hands-on with kids for most of their volunteer hours, however they will play a key role in facilitating communication between families, Asheville Middle School, and IRL.
Useful Skills to Have: Strong sense of organization, good interpersonal communication, attention to detail, and flexibility. If you love orderliness, structure and a sense of purpose within daily activities and are able to communicate clearly and effectively with a variety of people, you would be the ideal candidate for this position!
IRL Event Planning Committee
# of Volunteers Needed: 2-5
Time Commitment: flexible throughout the year depending on event schedule
Duties: Throughout the year, IRL has major community-driven celebratory events to recognize the fantastic jobs that our Volunteers and Service Providers do, and most importantly to showcase the skills and talents of our students. These events include Student Showcases in December and May where students have an opportunity to “show off” what they’ve accomplished, and Volunteer Appreciation events at the end of each session(December, March, May). The IRL Event Planning committee would be in charge of planning and executing these events from finding suitable locations, providing food and drinks, creating an event schedule, promoting the event and actively running any needed technology(projectors, lights, music, etc) during the event. Committee Members have the opportunity to play a big role in shaping IRL’s public image and honoring every facet of our organization—from volunteers to teachers to students. Committee Members should plan on meeting regularly throughout the year to plan events, staying in contact with the IRL Volunteer Coordinator about wants/needs for each event, and working within a set budget to create success.
Useful Skills to Have: experience planning large parties/events, strong community networking skills, knowledge of technology/media, good interpersonal skills, and a passion to promote IRL in the community. If you love bringing people together and honoring their commitments and achievements, know how to have a good time and are able to function creatively within a set budget, we would love to have you on our committee!
IRL Community Outreach Team
# of Volunteers Needed: flexible
Time Commitment: flexible. The Outreach Team will work on creating specific events throughout Asheville, which will often be held during the evening or on weekends to best fit the time constraints of various communities.
Duties: As part of the Community Outreach Team, volunteers will work on creating meaningful events within various neighborhoods and communities in Asheville to “spread the word” about who IRL is and what we do. As IRL moves into its 2nd year of providing quality after-school programming, we recognize the need to create strong connections with our community to ensure that we are meeting needs and supporting not just students, but their families and neighborhoods as well. The Community Outreach Team would be responsible for planning and executing Information Sessions, Activity Nights, and Seminars about IRL. They will network with identified community leaders in public housing neighborhoods, community centers and places of worship to ensure that IRL reaches out to all the diverse facets of Asheville’s community. The Community Outreach Team would work directly with the IRL Volunteer Coordinator to identify community leaders and target areas and then create meaningful, successful outreach events.
Useful Skills to Have: Strong interpersonal communication and networking skills, a knowledge of Asheville neighborhoods and communities is a plus, willingness to reach out, a strong understanding of IRL’s vision, purpose, and daily operations. If you see quality, affordable after-school programming as vital to the success of a community as a whole, then this position is for you!
Have Questions? Need more Information? Ready to Volunteer? Contact:
Ashley Campbell
IRL Volunteer Coordinator
828-350-6270
irlacsf@gmail.com
Or visit us at our office inside Asheville Middle School!
Potential volunteers with IRL are required to submit a background check through the Asheville City Schools Foundation. Once the background check has cleared, volunteers will meet one-on-one with the IRL Volunteer Coordinator to see how their interests, talents, and experience best fit with our vision for quality after-school programming. You can download a PDF version of the background check here
