Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer! There’s no better way to get to know your genealogist community than by working on a project together. SMCGS offers many volunteer opportunities for helping our society support genealogists and preserve local records for the greater good.

Please consider joining the many members who already find that giving their time and talent to support SMCGS a rewarding experience.  There are many opportunities to volunteer from active, ongoing commitments to short or one time activities but always they are opportunities to work with others who share your passion for genealogy.

The reason we are able to provide educational programs and resources, have fabulous events, interesting monthly meetings, and maintain a great library as well as expanding our online resources is because of volunteers – like you - who share their time and talents.

We would love to have you join us. Please take a look at these basic areas where volunteers are always needed and what appeals to you. Questions? Contact the SMCGS President.

Technology – Do you have technology skills? We need help updating website pages (content would be provided), creating email campaigns using Constant Contact (again content would be provided), newsletter formatting and mailing via Constant Contact, helping other volunteers setup or update spreadsheets, monitoring our main email box and forwarding to appropriate people to respond if needed, backup for speakers needs with setting up their laptops, projectors, microphones etc.  Basic video editing and posting using Zoom. Most of these jobs are things that can be done from home and require maybe an hour or two a month. We are happy to train someone to use Constant Contact.

Board Members – Of course we can always use volunteers who are willing to help by serving on the Board. Do you want to get more involved with the society and help plan the future of SMCGS? Do you want to have more input on the programs and services we provide and the events we participate in? Do you love genealogy and want to see SMCGS grow and reach more people who are discovering how fun and rewarding this hobby can be? Then we need you!
Time commitment varies depending on the position.  Length of terms are 2 years.

Education – Do you have a great idea for a workshop on a genealogy related topic?  Workshops are conducted up to 6 times a year on either Tuesday or Thursday afternoons at 2pm in the computer lab at Cañada College.  The commitment here is to present one workshop that is approved by the education committee.  Or do you have a talk you would love to give at a general meeting, typically at 10:30 am the 3rd Saturday of the month?  The commitment here is to give one talk.

Greeters at General Meetings – Do you like to attend general meetings for the company of fellow genealogists as well as the education?  SMCGS needs greeters to welcome people to the meetings, particularly visitors or new society members.  The requirements for this job are a warm and friendly personality and the willingness to arrive at the meetings by 10am on Saturday.

Indexers – Are you a researcher at heart?  Are you interested in helping to index SMCGS databases or scanning content?  A dedicated group of volunteers works on Fridays at the Colma Historical Museum and there are opportunities to work on site elsewhere and at home as well.

Library Volunteer – Additional volunteers are always needed for 3 hour shifts (1-4pm) on Tuesdays or Thursdays at Cañada College Library in Redwood City.   Currently substitutes are needed.  Volunteers work their assigned shift only when Cañada College is in session.  Substitutes fill in if a regularly scheduled volunteer is sick or out-of-town.  The library is closed during semester breaks and college holidays.  The only requirements are good internet/computer skills and a willingness to learn.

Research – If you are a library volunteer and you like to research then you may fill research request during your volunteer hours.  Research requests are typically filled by our library volunteers.

Seminar Planning – Are you interested in planning our seminars and helping to select the speakers?  Would you be interested in being a member of the seminar committee?  The commitment is to attend two seminars a year and approximately six committee meetings a year.

Seminar Assistance – Are you good at obtaining items for our silent auction?  Or would you like to run the book stall at the seminar?  Would you be interested in publicizing the seminars -getting flyers into the hands of peninsula genealogy teachers, contacting Bay Area genealogy societies and several genealogy calendars?  These are seminar committee positions.

Writers – Do you like to write?  We need writers to contribute articles to our newsletter and blogs on either a regular or occasional basis.  Do you have a great idea for a regular newsletter column?   Would you like to work with SMCGS staff to write content for the website, blog, newsletter or Facebook page?

If you are interested in any of these areas or in volunteering in any another way, please contact the SMCGS President.