Get Involved!
Since its inception in 1989, the Smithsonian Young Benefactors has built a rich tradition of volunteerism and giving back to the Smithsonian and the Washington community. Over the years, YB members have volunteered tens of thousands of hours at Smithsonian museums, offices, and festivals such as the Folklife Festival and the Smithsonian Kite Festival, attended by millions of children and families. In addition, for more than six years, YBs have supported the Smithsonian Office of Accessibility Services, mailing tapes of Smithsonian magazines every month to people who are visually impaired. But that is not all!
YOUNG BENEFACTORS LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE
Join the Young Benefactors Leadership Committee as a Standing Committee Leader or a Standing Committee member. Standing Committees include Cultural Activities, Membership, Social Events, Service, Jolly Holiday, and Marketing.
Important Information Regarding Standing Committee Leader and Member Positions
- No more than thirty days following the election of the Executive Committee Officers (Chair, Vice-chair, and Treasurer), the elected officers of the Executive Committee shall appoint the Standing Committee Leaders to serve during their term. Executive Committee Officers and Standing Committee Leaders will appoint Standing Committee members for each Committee.
- Standing Committee Leaders and members shall serve a term of one year, commencing on the first day of each organizational year.
- If you are interested in joining the YB Leadership Committee as a Standing Committee Leader or Committee member, please email Kate Stilwill at YB@si.edu with subject line “Standing Committee” by Monday, September 13, 2010.
- To join a Standing Committee as a Leader or member you must meet the qualifications for the position being sought as stated below.
Standing Committee Leader
To be eligible for a Standing Committee Leader position, candidates must be members in good standing for at least six months prior to taking office, and are required to have served as a volunteer in at least one activity throughout the previous organizational year.
Standing Committee Leaders:
- Are responsible for their respective Standing Committee
- Hold monthly Committee meetings with their Standing Committee
- Serve as the liaison between their Standing Committee and the Executive Committee
- Assist the TSA liaison and Treasurer in preparing the annual budget for their Standing Committee
- Attend monthly Executive Committee meetings (only three absences allowed per organizational year)
- Present an annual outline of the goals and activities of their Standing Committee for approval by the Executive Committee and TSA
- Provide monthly reports at the Executive Committee meetings of their Committee’s activities
- Establish regular communication with the TSA Liaison
- Communicate with the incoming chair or leader their knowledge and resources following the conclusion of their term
Standing Committee Member
At least 60% of each Standing Committee must comprise Young Benefactors members; Standing Committee Leaders may also appoint non-members to serve on the Standing Committees.
Standing Committee Members:
- Assist the Standing Committee Leader in implementing the initiatives and goals of the Committee
- Attend monthly Committee meetings as mandated by the Standing Committee Leader
- Execute other duties as assigned by the Committee Leader
Standing Committee Descriptions:
Cultural Activities Committee
The Cultural Activities Committee will coordinate the Second Saturday docent tours program and all cultural fundraising events, connecting the Young Benefactors to Smithsonian museums and reinforcing the aims and mission of the Young Benefactors. The Cultural Activities Committee shall also suggest two auxiliary cultural events a month as potential substitutes for the monthly happy hours coordinated by the Social Events Committee.
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee will be responsible for planning and hosting the monthly New Member Dinners. The Membership Committee will also be responsible for developing a year-long strategy for increasing membership which includes cultivating new members and reaching out to similar local young professionals groups.
Social Events Committee
The Social Events Committee will be responsible for coordinating monthly happy hours. Through the happy hours, the Committee will create a platform to promote the Young Benefactors and The Smithsonian Associates (TSA) in addition to raising awareness of the need to raise money for the Culture4Kids Fund. In consultation with TSA staff, the Social Events Committee will be responsible for negotiating drink specials and other conditions with potential happy hour venues.
Service Committee
The Service Committee will be responsible for coordinating and staffing all volunteers for Young Benefactors programs and events. The Service Committee will be responsible for publicizing these volunteer opportunities to Young Benefactors members. The Service Committee will maintain an email list of all Young Benefactors who have expressed interest in volunteering, and a volunteer database of those members who have volunteered at various Young Benefactors programs and events. When Smithsonian pan-institutional volunteer opportunities arise, the Service Committee will also publicize them to the volunteer database.
Jolly Holiday Committee
The Jolly Holiday Committee will be responsible for coordinating the annual Jolly Holiday Party with an aim to generate funding for the Culture4Kids program. In consultation with TSA staff, the Jolly Holiday Committee will plan and solicit donations for the Jolly Holiday Party’s Mystery Box Fundraiser and Silent Auction. The Jolly Holiday Committee will also assist TSA staff in securing a venue, catering, and music for the Jolly Holiday Party.
Marketing Committee
The Marketing Committee will be responsible for preparing the monthly newsletter and developing promotional material such as postcards for the Young Benefactors. The Marketing Committee will also be responsible for promoting the Young Benefactors in various social media and networking outlets (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and blogs highlighting local social events). Finally, the Marketing Committee periodically will conduct a formal survey of the general membership.
ONGOING VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
YB Link Program
The YBs are beginning a Link Program to provide new members with immediate
contacts in the organization and are currently looking for volunteers
to serve as “links.” Links will be responsible for attending
one new member dinner throughout the year and serving as a liaison
for the new members in attendance. The Link is meant to essentially
be a mentor for new members, invite them along when you plan to attend
a YB Happy Hour or event. We believe the Link Program will not only
introduce members to one another, but has the capacity to further connect
our members with the aims of the Young Benefactors and the Institution.
YB Culture4Kids Fund
In 2006, the organization created the YB Culture4Kids Fund, providing DC-school children with access to the diverse educational and culturally enriching experiences offered by the Smithsonian. Funds are raised through donations accepted at all YB events and via the web, through YB membership at the Benefactor, Sponsor, and Director’s Circle levels, and through proceeds from YB fundraising events.
The YB Culture4Kids Fund provides:
- Funds for local DC-school children to attend the Smithsonian Summer Camp
- Support for classrooms to attend the Smithsonian’s Discovery Theater
- Operations funds to support the Smithsonian Scholars in the Schools Program, which sends Smithsonian scholars to school communities across the country.
The Young Benefactors are always interested in reaching new audiences and helping more schools. Click here to share a deserving school with us.