Reading Room
At a grassroots organization like Tri-Valley CAREs, our job is not only to meet our goals for nuclear disarmament and cleanup, but to meet the needs for empowerment and information in the community as well. It is toward those goals for community empowerment and information that we ask for your wisdom and participation. We believe that communities should take part in democratic decision-making on nuclear weapons and related environmental issues, locally, nationally and globally.

The staff here at Tri-Valley CAREs cannot do what we do alone. We depend on your time and insight. Tri-Valley CAREs has many important ways that community members can participate: attending our monthly meetings, speaking to the City Council, distributing information to the public, interning, ing in our office and participating in events are just a few. We encourage you to take these opportunities, and also to share your ideas for programs and events with us!

Click here to download and print our volunteer sign-up sheet

Volunteer Positions

Title: Tri-Valley CAREs Volunteer Community Health Advocate

Major Objective: To advocate for the health of the people of the Tri-Valley and Tracy, California, to elevate public discourse on health issues, and to involve the directly affected public in decisions about contamination at the nearby Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Qualifications: Should be a resident of the Tri-Valley or Tracy. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Access to transportation for City Council Meetings and public hearings. Knowledge of or interest in health and environmental issues, in particular the effects of toxic and radioactive materials used at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Passion for peace, justice, and the environment.

Responsibilities: Keep abreast of discourse on environmental and health issues at Livermore Lab, including articles in local papers, etc. Write letters to the editor on current issues and Tri-Valley CAREs (TVC) community events. Speak when appropriate at Livermore and Tracy City Council Meetings, relevant public hearings, and other events that focus on health and environmental concerns in Livermore. Assist TVC staff in tabling and educational events in the Livermore community and beyond, make phone calls to TVC members to remind them of important events.

Orientation/Training: Orientation to the work and issues that Tri-Valley CAREs undertakes will be offered. Tri-Valley CAREs' staff and/or board members will provide training and support in public speaking, writing letters to the editor and other key skills. Some technical training on the health and environmental issues associated with Livermore Lab will be provided.

Time and Place: 2 to 4 hour training will take place in the Tri-Valley CAREs office at advocate's convenience during regular business hours; advocate will be expected to attend relevant city council meetings and public hearings which take place in evening timeslots. Advocate will spend some time each week in the office as well.

Commitment: Approximately 8 hours monthly for up to 6 months, negotiable.

Supervision: Supervised by Executive Director or designated program staff person.

Benefits: - Gain experience in non-profit sector - Learn community organizing techniques - Build your skills in research, analysis, writing and speaking - Organize and participate in exciting events - Create a more safe and healthy environment - Desk space, coffee, computer use, ties with local decision-makers, involvement in the community and everyday workplace fun

Title: Volunteer Office Assistant

Major Objective: To help make the Tri-Valley CAREs office an organized, efficient and friendly space from which our staff, members and volunteers can effectively work to promote peace, justice and a healthy environment.

Qualifications: Knowledge of filing systems (alpha), Microsoft Word, Excel, and Databases. Ability to occasionally lift and move "bank boxes" containing file folders.

Responsibilities: Filing, answering phones, office organization, routine business letters, database maintenance, media contact maintenance, general cleaning/organizing projects.

Orientation/Training: Orientation to the work and issues on which Tri-Valley CAREs focuses will be given. A training in office procedures and filing systems will be given.

Time and Place: Tri-Valley CAREs office in Livermore, during regular business hours.

Commitment: 2+ hours weekly, for up to 6 months, negotiable.

Supervision: Supervised by Executive Director or administrative staff person.

Benefits:

-Experience in non-profit and community organizing inner workings and filing systems/ computer databases -Organize and attend exciting events -Desk space, coffee, computer use, ties with local decision-makers, involvement in the community and everyday workplace fun -Real life training and experience in the progressive nonprofit sector

Title: Volunteer Outreach Assistant

Major Objective: Conduct outreach to Tri-Valley CAREs members and the interested public to promote attendance at community events and meetings, increase group membership, encourage web site traffic and enhance Tri-Valley CAREs' name recognition in the community of Livermore and beyond.

Qualifications: Strong verbal and written communication skills and, in particular, the ability to converse with diverse groups of people. Good phone manner and skills and the ability to work independently to complete projects is a must. Knowledge of Microsoft Word and other common programs, including layout is required. Interest in media communication, desire to accomplish community-based outreach and organizing, and having a passion for peace, justice and the environment are a must.

Responsibilities: Assist in planning and publicizing of Tri-Valley CAREs events such as monthly meetings, occasional rallies and vigils, celebrations, etc by making and distributing fliers, making listings in local media calendars, attending and tabling at community events, making phone calls, etc. Updates and helps maintain Tri-Valley CAREs' media contact list as well as Myspace and Facebook pages.

Orientation/Training: Orientation to the work and issues on which Tri-Valley CAREs focuses will be given. Also an orientation of the office, filing systems and procedures. Training on designing fliers, writing blurbs for calendar listings and other media, public speaking and outreach skills will be given.

Time and Place: Tri-Valley CAREs office in Livermore, with occasional trips to events around the Tri-Valley, Tracy and Bay Area for publicity purposes.

Commitment: Minimum commitment of 3+ hours/week for up to 6 months, negotiable.

Supervision: Supervised by Executive Director or designated outreach staff.

Benefits: Training and experience in doing publicity, media outreach, community outreach and event planning for nonprofits. Experience creating simple fliers and other materials. Opportunities to meet new people and learn about doing work for social justice, your own desk, use of office resources and involvement in the community.

Title: Volunteer Graphic Designer

Major Objective: Create appealing and powerful professional-quality graphics for TVC website, fliers, brochures, posters and factsheets.

Qualifications: Graphic design skills, compositional and artistic knowledge, skill with Photoshop, Microsoft Word and at least one additional layout program is required. Ability to work with people as well as finish projects independently is needed.

Responsibilities: Prepare fliers, posters and banners for events, develop graphics and banners for TVC website. Assist in making art props for TVC vigils and other events.

Orientation/Training: Orientation to the work and issues on which Tri-Valley CAREs focuses will be given. Orientation to computers and software available in the TVC office also provided.

Time and Place: Tri-Valley CAREs office in Livermore.

Commitment: 2+ hours per week for up to 6 months, negotiable.

Supervision: Supervised by Executive Director or designated program staff person.

Benefits: Training and experience in making graphics for a client. Opportunities to meet new people and learn about doing work for social justice, your own desk, use of office resources and involvement in the community.

You can contact us at outreach[at]trivalleycares[dot]org.