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American Red Cross Serving Carteret, Craven, Jones and
Pamlico counties, this well-known nonprofit organization uses volunteers
to assist with Bloodmobiles and to serve as instructors for classes in
first aid, CPR, Learn to Swim, life-guarding, babysitting and more. It
also needs volunteers to aid in local and national disaster situations.
Volunteers are needed to represent the chapter at fairs, parades, public
informational booths and fund-raising events; perform reception, data
entry, clerical and organizational assistance in the office; and serve
on committees involving special projects, fund-raising, grant-writing,
budgeting, auditing and financial development. Craven County Arts Council
and Gallery Like any arts organization, the Craven County
Arts Council relies on volunteers to keep its wheels moving. Council
volunteers serve as hosts in the main gallery; help in the office; assist
with mass mailings; conduct programs such as the popular Sunday Jazz
Showcase in February and arts camps in summer; work on a variety of
committees; and assist with city-wide arts projects, programs and
fund-raising events throughout the year. If you have an affinity for art and
organization, this is your kind of place. Craven County School System The school system welcomes volunteers to aid
teachers and students in a variety of ways and has an active community
volunteer program in every school. Call the school of your choice directly
or the central office at the number above if you are interested in
volunteering in the schools. Perhaps most in demand is assistance for
children having problems in particular subjects, such as reading, English or
math. The school system also is looking for volunteer tutors who speak a
foreign language. Volunteers are needed on school field trips and in school
libraries. Parent-teacher organizations and volunteer coordinators at
individual schools are pleased to have help with special programs and
projects to benefit the schools and students. Craven Literacy Council The Craven Literacy Council trains volunteers
to work as tutors with adult students who request services to improve
reading skills or to learn English as a second language. Volunteer tutors
are trained to work one-on-one with students, and together they decide on a
convenient time to meet for reading sessions. Tutor training sessions are
held several times a year; call for a schedule. Craven Regional Medical Center Officials here will tell you that the
hospital would not run as well or as smoothly without its faithful
volunteers. The center uses its nearly 500-strong volunteer corps for
everything from delivering mail and running the gift shop to manning the
Healthwatch personal emergency response system. There is a youth
volunteer group especially for 14- to 18-year-olds and a volunteer
chaplaincy program for ordained ministers. Volunteers also help in the
library, newborn nursery, emergency department and critical-care waiting
areas. They operate the book cart and humor cart in the hospital, work
in offices and hand-craft comfort items for patients. The Gray Ladies
and Gray Lads are perhaps the most active group, assisting with a
variety of hospital-related duties. There's also an auxiliary group that
coordinates activities in 25 different areas. If you have time and
energy to spare, the center can put them to good use. Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Bern Through donations of money, materials and
volunteer labor, Habitat for Humanity builds modest homes in partnership
with qualified families who meet Habitat's selection criteria and who
contribute 200 sweat-equity hours. Houses are sold to families on a
no-profit, no-interest basis. To date, the New Bern affiliate has
completed 40 houses toward its goal of eliminating poverty housing in
the area. Construction work takes place each Tuesday, Thursday and
Saturday morning starting at 8 AM. Volunteers, both groups and
individuals, are always needed. Habitat also operates a "Resale" shop at
the same address, (252) 633-5512. If you have expertise in building and
would like to help build homes for the community or would like to
help with merchandise pick-up and delivery, give Habitat a call. . Master Gardener Program The Master Gardener Program is open to
anyone who would like to learn more about gardening and at the same time
assist the Cooperative Extension Service in its horticulture education
efforts. Prospective Master Gardeners are provided with 40 hours of
training in return for 40 hours of volunteer service during the first
year; in subsequent years, volunteers donate 20 hours to stay active in
the program. Activities include presentations of Saturday morning
programs, speaking to garden clubs, answering phone calls from the
gardening public, meeting walk-in visitors at the extension office,
planting and maintaining demonstration gardens, working with schools,
and assisting with a variety of one-time educational events. Numerous
continuing educational opportunities are provided to make this an
ongoing learning experience for the Master Gardeners. New Bern Historical Society The historical society relies on
volunteers for most of its vital functions. Volunteers make up the
society's membership, education, marketing and program committees. They
serve as tour guides, fund-raiser staff and help produce the
Historical Society Journal. They coordinate special projects and
help maintain historical buildings and grounds. Volunteers are in great
demand during the Spring Homes and Gardens Tour and the New Bern at
Night Ghost Walk, and to assist with the Battle of New Bern Preservation
project. If you enjoy history and its preservation, you will find a
niche here. New Bern Police Department The local police department is always on
the lookout for good volunteers. Volunteers work in many positions, such
as clerical and court liaison positions and with programs such as the
Explorers Program and the Pawn Shop Reporting Program. Volunteers get
started by filling out a three-page application and undergoing a
background screening and reference check. After the screening is
completed, volunteers are matched to available positions that take into
consideration the time constraints and interests of the volunteers.
Monthly meetings also are scheduled to provide training and networking
opportunities. New Bern Preservation Foundation Like the historical society, the preservation
foundation counts on volunteers and uses their skills to operate its
organization. Most volunteers are retirees, and the foundation could not
function without them. Docents serve as hosts or hostesses for home tours;
help in the office; work to produce the newsletter; help with the annual
Antique Show and Sale in February and Homes Tour in the spring; cater meals;
and assist with property cleanup and maintenance of historical buildings and
grounds. North Carolina Cooperative Extension This group provides valuable services to
the community through collaboration with agencies such as Craven
Regional Medical Center, The River Club and Coastal Women's Shelter, to
name a few. Its mission is to strengthen families through leadership
development, volunteer work, educational opportunities and sharing
research-based educational information generated from N.C. State and
N.C. A&T universities. Membership is open to anyone who is a resident of
Craven County. Residents of the county are invited to join an existing
club or organize their own community club. Public Radio East Volunteers interested in sharing their time
with Public Radio East are welcome year-round to assist with clerical tasks
and to answer telephones during fund drives. Training is provided when
necessary. Swiss Bear Inc. Swiss Bear, Inc. is a nonprofit organization
established in 1979 to coordinate the revitalization of the downtown area.
It organizes and coordinates the annual three-day Mumfest, held the second
full weekend in October. Volunteers are needed for a variety of duties
during Mumfest and for New Bern's upcoming 300th Anniversary Celebration. Tryon Palace Historic Sites &
Gardens Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Garden's
volunteer program offers a bounty of opportunities throughout the year.
Assistance in the gardens at Tryon Palace is needed during every season
but especially in the spring. Spring also brings about Young Sprouts, an
elementary garden program for children; volunteers who enjoy working
with children will welcome the opportunities available to lead that
program. In addition, drama enthusiasts interested in portraying
historical characters are needed, as are group leaders for school tours,
guides for the New Bern Academy Museum, gate clickers and concert
ushers. Prior to the holidays, hundreds of volunteers are needed to lend
their talented hands with the holiday decorations for the entire site.
If you have the time and interest in being a volunteer, contact the
volunteer coordinator for an application.
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Many
of New Bern's public service agencies and nonprofit organizations rely
on the services and talents of volunteers. Some simply could not operate
without the assistance of their reliable volunteers. New Bern has a
number of spare-time opportunities, and new ones are popping up all the
time. While we've included several here, the New Bern Area Chamber of
Commerce, 316 S. Front Street, (252) 637-3111, maintains a comprehensive
list of contact names and phone numbers for nonprofit and civic
organizations in the area. Volunteers often find that helping out with
one organization often leads to developing interests in others. The
organizations and agencies listed usually provide any necessary training
for volunteers.
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