Volunteer Programs

    Imagine trying to navigate living in the fast-paced Big Apple if you don’t speak English very well? TTN members have a chance to help immigrants learn the English they need to make it in NYC by volunteering for a new program beginning this fall. 

    “We Are New York”, created by the Mayor’s Office of Adult Education and CUNY, is a volunteer lead program to help the 1.7 million New Yorkers with limited English skills. The program features a series of nine 30 minute television programs showing people speaking English in important and realistic situations, like going to the doctor or talking to a child’s teacher. As part of a team of volunteer “teachers”, you work with a partner using DVDs of the programs to help those who want to improve their English. The sessions will be held in community spaces all over the City in all boroughs and the groups will have about 10 students. 

    An enthusiastic group of 18 TTN members are the first to be trained and will begin their work the week of October 5th.  Look for an update on how the program is going.  This program is a wonderful way to make a big difference in the lives of the newest New Yorkers and to meet other TTN members. TTN really IS New York! 

    TTN-NYC members Merle Rubine (mrubine@gmail.com  and Audrey Bernfield  (abernfield@mac.com)  are coordinating the TTN volunteers. Please contact them if you would like more information and to be included in the upcoming orientation.

Morgan Library Volunteer Program Director and TTN member Jane Lattes (right) and Amy Messing of the Morgan Library staff beckon volunteers through the gates of that "extra-special place.”


By Amy Messing

From Rembrandt and Picasso to Mozart and Bob Dylan, from Dickens and Hemingway to Blake and Babar the elephant, the holdings at the Morgan Library & Museum make this institution "extra special, in a class of its own,” according to The New York Times. Located at Madison Avenue and 36th Street, the Morgan houses one of the world's greatest collections of artistic, literary, and musical works created in ancient times, the medieval and Renaissance periods, and the present day.

The Morgan’s uniqueness is reflected in its volunteer program, a brand-new initiative that has expanded the use of volunteers in virtually every department of the museum. According to volunteer program director Jane Lattes, a TTN board member, the program represents a “different kind of opportunity” for volunteers.

“We’re seeking people who want to make a long-term commitment to working for an amazing cultural institution with a fascinating collection,” says Jane. “For those people, we offer an opportunity to play a significant role in behind-the-scenes work as well as in public-facing roles.”

Jane is recruiting energetic and flexible volunteers who have a strong interest in the Morgan’s collection of manuscripts, rare books, music, drawings, and ancient and other works of art. Some of the open positions require very specific skills and training in areas like art history and library science, while others simply require good organizational skills. The jobs require a serious commitment of time—one to three days a week, for a minimum of four hours each day.

“For public-facing positions, we look for individuals who have an outgoing personality and strong verbal communication skills,” says Jane. “For most volunteers who work behind the scenes, basic computer skills—including familiarity with the Internet—are essential.”

“In all cases, volunteers must be willing to make a commitment of one year to their job, and certain positions, such as docent, require a two-year minimum commitment,” Jane emphasizes. “They must also understand that reliability is critical to their success. By making an investment in their jobs, volunteers have the opportunity to grow professionally and even take on added responsibilities over time.”

The Morgan offers a substantial benefit package to its volunteers. Among the benefits: free admission for up to four friends and family each day, a 25 percent discount at the Museum gift shop, and discounted tickets to the Morgan’s public programs. Jane also arranges for regular volunteer outings to other cultural institutions and private lectures with Morgan curators.

Training is often provided for volunteer jobs at the Morgan. With some department exceptions, the hours are flexible. To qualify, applicants must be college graduates not currently enrolled in graduate or postgraduate programs. Please visit http://www.themorgan.org/opportunities/volunteer.asp to learn more about the program and see examples of jobs that are currently available. All initial inquiries begin with a phone call to Jane Lattes, who can be reached at 212-590-0327. If you leave a voicemail, please be sure to provide your phone number and best times for Jane to return your call. After this initial call, Jane will arrange for an interview as appropriate.

    Be a greeter at 3rd Thursday meetings. Each month three members will receive complimentary admission to the meeting in exchange for greeting and welcoming new members and guests. Check the Events section to choose an upcoming 3rd Thursday you’re interested in attending as a greeter and email Susan Siminow (ssiminow@yahoo.com) to volunteer. 

    Member Services Committee needs your help. Working with this committee is a good way to get to know other TTN-NYC members. We help new members feel welcome and get connected with peer and activity groups. Committee members hold brief, informational meetings with new members at the end of each 3rd Thursday meetings. Contact Jane Lattes jflattes@yahoo.com or Linda Sicher. lsicher@aol.com for details. 

    Communication is the key! We want to let all members know what’s going on in TTN NYC. So we’re looking for members who are interested in reporting on TTN events for our chapter’s section of the website and taking photos to include in the monthly newsletter and the website. If you can help out, send an email to NYCchapter@thetransitionnetwork.org.

Celebrate My Own Book’s 10th anniversary by volunteering a couple of weeks of your time so we can expand this wonderful program to more needy school children.

My Own Book takes the third-grade children at 35 of New York City’s poorest schools to a bookstore where each child may buy $50 worth of books. We would like to expand to 50 schools, but need more volunteers to do so. Many TTN members work with My Own Book. Won’t you join us? 

Learn more at www.mobf.org or contact Pamela Roderick, proderick@mindspring.com.