Volunteer
WindowDressers is a grassroots, volunteer-run nonprofit organization that trains, supplies, and supports teams of volunteers who host Community Builds to construct Insulating Window Inserts for local residents.
Together, our volunteers have built over 48,000 custom-made insulating window inserts since 2010, with between 25% to 35% given to low income families for no cost. These inserts improve the warmth and comfort of homes, lower fuel bills, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Volunteers are typically motivated by environmental concerns, economic justice, a love of making things with their hands, and/or a desire to participate in a community effort producing concrete, meaningful results. There are a wide range of volunteer opportunities, from helping out a shift at a Community Build, to joining the year-round work of a leadership team.
Contact local volunteers to learn how to get involved in an existing Community Build. Click here to learn more about how to start a new Community Build in your own neighborhood. Contact us today to begin the process: 207-596-3073 or 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.
To volunteer as a Local Coordinator to create a Build in your community, please contact the Program Manager for your region:
- Maine & E. New Hampshire: Steve McFarland, steve.mcfarland@windowdressers.org, 207-596-3073 ext. 1.
- Vermont & W. New Hampshire: Allison Pouliot, allison.pouliot@windowdressers.org, 207-596-3073 ext. 2.
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.
To volunteer, please contact the Local Coordinator of your nearest Community Build.
Or contact the Program Manager for your region:
- Maine & E. New Hampshire: Steve McFarland, steve.mcfarland@windowdressers.org, 207-596-3073 ext. 1.
- Vermont & W. New Hampshire: Allison Pouliot, allison.pouliot@windowdressers.org, 207-596-3073 ext. 2.
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.
To volunteer, please contact the Local Coordinator of your nearest Community Build.
Or contact Program Assistant Meaghan LaSala at info@windowdressers.org or call 207-596-3073.
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.
To volunteer, please contact the Local Coordinator of your nearest Community Build.
Or contact Program Assistant Meaghan LaSala at info@windowdressers.org or call 207-596-3073.
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.
To volunteer, please contact the Local Coordinator of your nearest Community Build.
Or contact Program Assistant Meaghan LaSala at info@windowdressers.org or call 207-596-3073.
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 volunteer, please contact the Local Coordinator of your nearest Community Build.