Join Us for an Info Session!
If you are interested in volunteering with WindowDressers, our info sessions are a great place to start! In each session, a Program Manager will provide a review of our program, explain how community builds work, share how to get involved locally and describe how to hold a Windowdressers Build in your community. Since these are led by staff, it’s also a great time to ask any questions you may have about WindowDressers or becoming a volunteer. If you’re ready to bring WindowDressers to your community, please complete an inquiry here and a staff member will follow up directly with you.
Please note: At this time, WindowDressers is currently supporting Community Builds in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. For New York, please contact Jessica Williams, Executive Director at director@windowdressers.org before signing up for an info session. If you live outside of our service area of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont or Massachusetts, but you would like more information, please contact us directly at: info@windowdressers.org.
For Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, sign up for an info session below:
You may also contact the Program Manager for your region directly if you have any questions, would like to sign up to volunteer or would like information on facilitating a community build in your community.
Maine and E. New Hampshire – Desiree Price, desiree.price@windowdressers.org, 207-596-3073 ext. 5
Vermont and W. New Hampshire – Donald de Voil, donald.devoil@windowdressers.org, 207-596-3073 ext. 2
Massachusetts – Please contact either program manager above or email info@windowdressers.org
There are many roles involved in helping to run a Community Build. Please check out the options below!
WindowDressers Local Coordinators
Local Coordinators (LCs) are in charge of organizing their local Community Build from start to finish. They work closely with staff to plan the collaboration. LCs typically spend 10-12 hours per week during the busy fall season leading up to their Community Build and may spend 4-6 hours per week in the spring and summer on early organizing efforts. Community Builds recur year after year and most of our Local Coordinators continue to lead their teams in subsequent years.
Local Coordinators help WindowDressers achieve its mission by:
- Recruiting households to receive inserts
- Recruiting an organizing team
- Assigning customers to Measuring Teams
- Following up on customer payments, as necessary.
- Scheduling the Community Build with the Program Manager for your region and securing a donated location.
- Organizing and scheduling Shift Supervisors to ensure coverage throughout the Community Build.
- Participate in an established Community Build prior to their own in order to learn all tasks and learn how to train volunteers.
- Communicating with staff regarding any problems, suggestions, successes, and needs.
WindowDressers Measurers
WindowDressers Measurers are our community-contact specialists. They work in teams to visit households in their community to evaluate and measure their windows, enter measurements in our custom software, and discuss payment options. Measurers typically contribute 20-30 hours total spread over 2-4 months. Many measurers also participate significantly in the Community Build. A detailed training is provided on all tasks and support is available as needed.
WindowDressers Volunteer Coordinator
The WindowDressers Volunteer Coordinator ensures the smooth running of the Community Build by recruiting and scheduling community participants. Volunteer Coordinators may also recruit and schedule local businesses to donate food for the Community Build participants. Volunteer Coordinators typically contribute 15-25 hours of time total, spread over the 2-4 weeks leading up to and including the Community Build.
Shift Supervisors
The WindowDressers Shift Supervisor trains and supports the volunteer participants during each shift of the Community Build. They typically contribute 10-15 hours per week for two nonconsecutive weeks.
Transport Crew
The WindowDressers Transport Crew is a team of 4 people who drive to our production center in Rockland, ME, load all of the Build supplies onto a rented truck, drive to their Build location, unload the supplies, and return the truck. At the end of the Community Build, they return all gear and unused supplies to Rockland.
Community Build Participant
The households that receive inserts are expected to participate in the Community Build where the inserts are made. However, we also need members of the community to contribute to the effort as well. Typically, you can sign up for a 4-hour shift and learn one simple step in the insert-building process. The steps are:
- Applying “white tape” to the perimeter of the wooden frames.
- Stretching plastic film across the frames and sticking it to the double-sided white tape (a team of two people work together)
- Applying clear packing tape around the perimeter of the wooden frames after the plastic film has been applied.
- Applying a strip of foam around the perimeter of the frame
Each job has “jigs” that make the job easier to do and for uniform quality. You will be trained at the beginning of your shift on how to do your task. Volunteering for multiple shifts is encouraged! Mid-shift snacks and a meal are provided to all Participants.
To sign up, please go to Community Builds and find the Community Build that works for you!