Volunteer

Museum Docents

Our museum docents typically work 1-2 days a week for 1-2, 2-hour shifts. Museum docents essentially run the museum and are the public face of the museum during open hours. Docents answer the phone, field questions from the public, manage the guest book and visitor tracking mechanisms. We have a docent handbook, and we offer a special training session to all docents.

Special Event Volunteers

Special Events Volunteers work at special events in the museum and represent the museum at community events. Examples of special events where we have needed this type of volunteer are: visits from the Quinlan Preschool (the kids have a special story time and do crafts), Bay Area Diwali Festival (museum open house and crafts for kids), the Quinlan Center Tree Lighting, etc. These positions typically don’t require special training and are not weekly commitments.

Traveling Trunk

Through our traveling trunk program, museum docents to go into local elementary schools to offer hands-on history programs for local children. Traveling Trunk Docents have more extensive training and shadowing programs. Typically, they make a few presentations a year. The schedule varies greatly.

Traveling Trunk Docent Application Form

Certified Public Accountant

Someone with knowledge of general accounting principles and expertise in tax-related matters affecting a non-profit organization. Volunteers would assist Treasurer in financial management and be available to help answer occasional financial/accounting questions when they arise.

Legal/Attorney

Volunteer (Pro Bono) legal consultant able to offer advice/guidance in areas of contract law, real estate, employment/personnel matters, or other legal issues. Volunteers would be available to give advice/guidance to the Historical Society Board of Directors and/or the Executive Director.

Museum Store Sales Manager

Volunteer would have experience in retail/bookstore sales and marketing and analyze museum’s current merchandise sales practices. Volunteers would offer solutions to help improve management and sales/marketing of museum merchandise. Help determine potential to expand sales to online opportunities.

I.T. Manager

Volunteer would assist Board of Directors and Staff in solving I.T.-related challenges which might hinder Historical Society in fulfilling its mission to share and promote Cupertino history with the community. Volunteers might research and offer proposals on how to better utilize technology in the museum and online to promote Cupertino history.

Property Developer

The Historical Society owns an uninhabited property known as the Snyder Hammond  House which is sometimes used for storage of Historical Society materials. A Volunteer with expertise as a property developer/manager would research potential alternatives for better management and usage of the property or offer alternatives for appropriate relinquishing of the property.

Facility Manager

Volunteer would work with Board of Directors/Executive Director to offer guidance in addressing facility issues at the museum, the Snyder Hammond House, or any properties/facilities in the charge of the Historical Society.

Publicity/Public Relations Manager

Volunteer would help develop a marketing plan that would enhance the visibility of the Historical Society and museum in the community. Volunteers would offer guidance in enhancing our current social media and printed marketing to publicize specific events and ongoing society and museum programs.

Exhibits and Displays Manager

Volunteers would work with the Exhibits Committee Chairperson and Staff to help plan and implement rotating exhibits and updating and enhancing the museum’s permanent exhibits.

Cupertino Oral Histories Manager

Volunteer would help manage our collection of oral (audio and video) histories and work with collections/museum staff to enhance availability of histories to the public and also facilitate creation of additional histories for inclusion in our collection.

Fundraising Specialist

Volunteer would work with the Board of Directors/Executive Director and Staff to identify opportunities to increase revenue. Volunteer would offer guidance and help implement fundraising programs and events to help the Historical Society meet its current and future revenue targets.