Volunteer Opportunities
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Volunteer Opportunities
Interested in playing with us as a volunteer? Great! Check out the details below, then send an email to volunteer@playworks.org with "League Volunteer" in the headline.
Volunteer Details
About the Organization:
Playworks is a nonprofit that provides safe, healthy playtime at low-income schools to create a positive environment for teaching and learning. Our strategy for rescuing recess and making play a part of every day has transformed more than 170 schools across the country. As a result kids return to class focused and ready to learn, teachers can use all class time for teaching instead of resolving conflicts from the playground, and the whole school climate improves. We put trained adults on the playground to introduce classic games that are disappearing from schoolyards, like kickball and four-square, as well as new games designed to build leadership and foster teamwork.
When Playworks partners with a school, not only are kids more physically active, but the whole school day goes better. That’s why the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation calls Playworks “America’s best investment in healthy kids and healthy schools.”
About the Volunteer Positions:
This volunteer opportunity consists of two related elements and they are as follows:
• League Practice Volunteers: 1-2 days per week between September 21st and October 1st 2009. Hours: Practices are held afterschool for 1 to 1.5 hours depending on school site dismissal.
• League Jamboree Volunteers: 1 day commitment 10/9/09 (Richmond, CA.) and 10/16/09 (Berkeley & Oakland) Hours: 2—5:30pm each date.
Volunteer opportunities are available throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Interested volunteers must complete a 1.5 hour training to be eligible for this opportunity. The mandatory training will take place on September 17 from 6-7:30pm at 517 4th Street Oakland, California.
Responsibilities:
League Practice Volunteers:
Assist in preparing elementary school aged children for upcoming league Jamboree tournaments by running Kickball or Wiffle ball practices. Specifically:
- Leading warm-up exercises (stretches etc.)
- Lead skill building activities
- Lead ice breakers
- Lead Kickball and Wiffle ball scrimmages
League Jamboree Volunteers:
Assist with Jamboree tournament. Specifically:
- Greet players from your practices
- Cheer/pump up youth and families
- Serve as game Referees
- Serve as pitchers
- Prepare and distribute snacks at the events (snacks provided by Playworks Staff)
- T-Shirt Distribution
- Field set-up
- Event clean-up
Model Playworks Philosophy:
- Support positive environment (high-fives etc)
- Provide encouragement and promote positive teaming environment for league participant
- Adhere to Playworks “Respect the Game” league rules (to be reviewed at training)
Qualifications:
- Passionate commitment to Playworks mission and long-term vision on behalf of children and the importance of play
- Patient and enjoys working with elementary school aged children.
- Meets Playworks screening requirements and background check.
