List of Volunteer Opportunities for Parents

1. MYO Board of Trustees

How much time? Board meetings are monthly and average 1 to 2 hours plus variable hours outside of meetings, depending on how involved you wish to be.

Each year is new and filled with new challenges. Come tell us what works for you and what doesn’t. Suggest changes or support what you value. We love having more voices. Very few board members are musicians most lend great ideas and give of their time.

2. Communications Link

How much time? A few hours before each concert and before the season begins.

We need an excel spreadsheet of contact information from the board and the instrumentalists. Before each concert the musicians need a brief reminder of their responsibilities; i.e. rehearsal times, dress, and location. Some information might need to be mailed to those not on line or a brief call made.

3. Hall Coordinator Concert

Commitment of less than five hours.

We need a volunteer to set up the hall rentals and coordinate payment. Here at YHS it is a form and e-mail contact with the auditorium manager.

4. Concert Program Editor

Commitment is twice a year at a two week interval before each concert.

We need a volunteer to design and print the program in November and April. Repertoire, ads, logo and lists of student musicians will be made available to you. Your job is to prepare a 5 ½” X 8 ½” folded photo copy ready program.

5. Concert Reception

How Long? Just an hour or two each concert.

We need a volunteer to set up the reception tables, with paper goods, ice and liquid refreshment (donated by the board). Parents bring the goodies so all that needs to be done is monitor the collection and protect all the delicious snacks from early food thieves until after each concert.

6. Concert Ticket Sales

How Long? Just an hour before the concerts.

We need a volunteer to collect donations and ticket funds at the beginning of the concert.

7. Fundraising Committee

How long does it take to brain storm a raffle, write a fundraising letter, set up an auction?

Just one event a year can end a year of financial worries. Suggestions? Past events have been a bulk mailing, quilt raffle, concert raffle, t-shirt sales.

8. Grantwriter

How much time? Depends on your expertise.

One grant from a family business or multiple hours writing grants to philanthropic organizations. Each year the Maine Philanthropy Center (located at the USM Library) compiles lists of grants available for the Northeast. Grant writing can be time consuming, but if this is your talent we appreciate the commitment.

9. Outreach Coordinator

Simply ask your school if they would like to have MYO come and play with their band or chorus. Perhaps the elementary school in your district would like an assembly. The Portland Children’s Art Museum would love to have us. Contact non-profit organizations, they often would like to support a youth orchestra. Last year we played at LL Beans and the Maine International Trade Center Banquet. Help us keep track of the groups and their rehearsal schedule.

10. Poster/Flier Designer

Commitment is twice a year at a two week interval before each concert.

We need a volunteer to design and print the posters or a smaller flier to hang in businesses around town. Each November and April we need an eye catching poster to let everyone know the concert is coming soon. Create a format with the logo and graphics and just change the dates from concert to concert.

11. Public Relations

Commitment is four times a year one month before each concert, at start of the season and audition time (May).

We send the Portland Press Herald, Community Leader, Shopping Notes, Falmouth Forecaster, Sun Journal and Times Record a press release. Be a creative writer and then simply e-mail the press release; most are that simple. Do you have a digital camera? A few photos of rehearsal speak 1000 words.

12. Rehearsal Snacks

How much time? One half hour a week.

Each week at 7:30 the orchestra takes a break. Healthy snacks which don’t have to be homemade are supplied to help energy levels. (Vegetables and dip, fruit, cheese and crackers)