Baltimore Volunteers

Playworks is a national nonprofit that provides safe, healthy playtime at low-income schools to create a positive environment for teaching and learning. Our highly trained Program Coordinators (PCs), aka “Coaches,” are on the playground full-time to introduce games designed to build leadership and self-esteem and foster teamwork. As a result, kids return to class focused and ready to learn and teachers can use class time for teaching instead of resolving conflicts from the playground. Our after-school programs and sports leagues continue to reinforce the valuable lessons learned throughout the school day. Our strategy for rescuing recess and making play a part of every day improves the entire school climate and has transformed more than 170 schools across the country.

We are looking for dynamic individuals who are naturally motivated and possess clear and open communication skills to join our movement for play. You should be humorous and playful with an ability to set clear goals and follow through. You are patient, flexible and enjoy working with elementary school age children. You are comfortable working in a leadership role, possess creative problem solving tools and able to accept direction from our Coaches. As a Playworks Ambassador, you will mirror our core values of respect, inclusion, healthy play and healthy community and have an opportunity to be a part of this important growing movement across the nation.

Volunteer opportunities are available throughout Baltimore. Interested volunteers must complete a 1.5 to 2 hour training to be eligible for this opportunity. All volunteers must pass the Baltimore Schools and Playworks screening requirements, background check and National Sex Offender check.

"The Player"
Recess Program Support
Duties: Assist in creating a safe and inclusive recess yard and be a significant presence on the yard by organizing and playing games with 20+ students. Encourage safe, healthy play and positive conflict resolution through role modeling and active participation. Volunteers may also support PCs in setup or break-down of recess equipment and other things relative to school needs.
Details: Must love to play games and lead activities with kids and have the ability to model positive behavior. Actively engage a diverse range of students in respectful and inclusive healthy play. Demonstrate ability to build rapport, trust and respect with students.  Day/Hours: Varies upon school site but typically M-F between the hours of 11:00am -1:00pm
Commitment: We ask for a minimum of 2 hours per visit and at least 1 visit per month.

"The Closer"
After School Program Support
Duties: Assist Program Coordinator with After School program, including serving healthy snack, playing games, and helping students with homework.
Details: Must love to play games and lead activities with kids and have the ability to model positive behavior. Actively engage a diverse range of students in respectful and inclusive healthy play. Demonstrate ability to build rapport, trust and respect with students.
Day/Hour: Monday through Thursday, 3:00-5:00pm
Commitment: Length can be discussed, approximately 3 months (start dates are ongoing), 15 hours/week.

"The Manager"
Developmental Sports League Support
Duties:
Refereeing at Games.
Referees can create a fun, supportive environment for developing players by officiating, explaining rules and enthusiastically promoting non-competitive play.

Assistant Coaching a Team.
Assistant coaches will work with PCs (Coaches) to run practices and coach games, all the while building skills, positive attitudes and enforcing teamwork. Be advised that for this experience to be meaningful for volunteers, PCs and players, assistant coaches should commit to all league events (practices and games) for the entire 7-week season.

Extravaganzas and Jamborees are one-day special events that enhance leagues.
Volunteers can help PCs and other staff members implement and ensure the success of these
sports-and-games centered field days for students and families by running games, providing
refreshments, organizing other activities, manning stations and booths, refereeing, cheering and coaching.
Details: This position requires the ability to work sensitively with parents and children. Must possess strong interpersonal and good problem solving skills. Must love to play games and lead activities with kids and have the ability to model positive behavior. Actively engage a diverse range of students in respectful and inclusive healthy play.
Day/Hours: Varied M, T, W, TH 5:00pm-8:00pm Games, plus organization time during the week. Extravaganzas and Jamborees are on the weekends.
Commitment: We ask for a minimum of 6 hours per week for 7 weeks (each season) plus an
occasional weekend day.

"The Pinch Hitter"
Additional Program Support
Duties: Participate in various school activities, program components, community outreach projects, fairs and fundraising events.
Details: Varied depending on project or opportunity. This position is best for those who are unable to commit to volunteering a regular schedule throughout the week but would like to support Playworks at a more flexible pace.
Day/Hours: Varied
Commitment: Flexible and/or on call

“The Networker”
Social Media Support
Duties: As Playworks’ Social Media Volunteer you will assist in maintaining and improving the Playworks Baltimore Facebook Page, Twitter Account, Webpage and LinkedIn accounts. Social Media Volunteers would also work on printed material that Playworks can use for promotion. As the Social Media Volunteer, you must possess outstanding administrative skills, and be detailoriented, self-motivated, dedicated to quality, and ready to take on new challenges.
Details:
-Update Facebook Page, Twitter, webpage and LinkedIn on a continuous basis
-Create new printed material that could be used to promote Playworks Baltimore
-Create promotional materials for specific Playworks Baltimore events
Skills and Qualifications:
-Strong commitment to youth
-Playful spirit
-Undergraduate student or recent college graduate preferred
-Proficiency in Social Networking
-Strong written and oral communication skills
-Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
-Ability to organize, prioritize and work independently
Days/Hours: Length can be discussed, approximately 5 to 10 hours/week.

“The Writer”
Grant Writing
Duties: As Playworks’ Grant Writing Volunteer you will assist with researching and completing grants. As the Grant Writing Volunteer, you must possess outstanding administrative skills, and be detail-oriented, self-motivated, dedicated to quality, and ready to take on new challenges.
Details:
-Research grants in Baltimore for program support
-Data entry using Excel, Salesforce, and other programs
-Draft grant proposals
Skills and Qualifications:
-Strong commitment to youth
-Playful spirit
-Undergraduate student or recent college graduate preferred
-Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs
-Strong written and oral communication skills
-Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
-Ability to organize, prioritize and work independently
Commitment: Length can be discussed; 5 to 10 hours/week. Commitment is flexible.

“The Party Planner”
Event Planning Support
Duties: As Playworks’ Party Planner Volunteer you will assist with planning and implementation of fundraising events and activities. You must possess outstanding administrative skills, and be detail-oriented, self-motivated, dedicated to quality, and ready to take on new challenges.
Details:
-Assist with planning, outreach, and marketing for 5k Run, Kickball Tournament, House Parties and Happy Hour fundraisers
-Data entry using Excel, Salesforce, and other programs
-Assist with fundraising initiatives and other administrative tasks as needed
Skills and Qualifications:
-Strong commitment to youth
-Playful spirit
-Undergraduate or recent college graduate preferred
-Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs
-Strong written and oral communication skills
-Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
-Ability to organize, prioritize and work independently
Commitment: Length can be discussed, 5 - 10 hours/week.