MODESTO – The Great Valley Museum of Modesto Junior College is seeking volunteers to perform a variety of duties including working with the public as docents and behind the scenes with museum operations.

 The Great Valley Museum (GVM) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing science and natural history information to adults and children of all ages through classes, programs, exhibits and a planetarium, and it relies on volunteers to accomplish this mission.  Museum volunteering is ideal for retirees, students, teachers, or anyone who is passionate about natural history and science education for the community.

 A New Docent Training is scheduled for three Monday sessions on Aug. 17, 24 and 31, from 10 a.m. to noon.

 Docents conduct tours, handle phone inquiries, engage visitors through hands-on learning, and assist with various museum tasks including animal care, Discovery Room and Science on a Sphere demonstrations.  To participate in the docent training this month, please RSVP to the museum manager at 209.548.5773 to reserve a seat.

 Applications are also being accepted for volunteers to assist with a wide range of essential administrative services within the museum. These volunteers work side-by-side with staff in marketing, staffing the Nature Shop, traveling teacher programs, school tour programs, animal care and various other tasks.  Skills generally required are organizational and administrative in nature and might include computer and clerical services.  General volunteers are also encouraged to take the docent training in order to better understand the museum.

 All volunteers must fill out a GVM application, undergo live-scan fingerprinting for a background check, and fill out a series of required Yosemite Community College District forms prior to working.  (The costs of live-scan fingerprinting and background checks are the volunteer’s responsibility.)  All volunteers receive one free year of individual museum membership upon completion of the live-scan. 

 A volunteer application is available at http://www.mjc.edu/instruction/sme/documents/gvmvolap.pdf and completed applications should be brought to the GVM along with a picture ID.  Museum staff will assist prospective volunteers in filling out the additional paperwork. 

 

For more information on the GVM visit http://www.mjc.edu/instruction/sme/gvm, or stop by the museum located in the Science Community Center on MJC’s West Campus, 2201 Blue Gum Avenue in Modesto, open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, or call (209) 575.6196.