In another thread someone asked what a volunteer can do from 2000 miles away. You'd need a computer or tablet, but Good God man it's the 21st century. They require interacting with websites two-handed, reading, and possibly doing web searches to find out how to do things. From my experience (not necessarily actual doing):

- Web site editor
- Social media (case in point)
- Manage online ticketing
- Publicity online
- A lot of Secretary sort of work
- Traditional publicity where that's possible by email/phone, which is a lot
- Answering emails (sharing this duty using Gmail delegation)
- Help answer the phone, for instance Google Voice rings several phones at once.
- Do printed mailings, stuff envelopes, lick stamps.

And if you have the skills:
- Financial analysis and tax forms.
- Treasurer or bookkeeping work if supported by people onsite
- Do graphic arts and other publicity pieces
- Develop videos from content sent to you or that you collected while visiting
- Do more sophisticated web development e.g. what IRM has done with their site
- Scan and make PDFs out of maintenance manuals, old newsletters, etc.

I'm sure you can think of more.

Boy, the Internet sure beats having to use brevity words on the telegraph, eh?

To the above I would add technical research and assisting with fund raising/grant writing. Note that it is a lot easier to find people willing do get their hands dirty on-site than to find someone who is willing to do the support tasks.

Those jobs are also a way to use people who may be local, but are no longer able to do hard physical work or who are on the rip track for the moment. We've had excellent tour guides who were retired mechanics.

I'm never sure when and how to offer help when I can't get to a museum. If your outfit needs something done that can happen from a distance, being as specific as possible helps those of us who wish we could do something.

I am currently scanning microfilmed records for a Historical Society, I am in the Midwest, the person doing the data entry is in Montana, and the proofreader is in Washington State.

I sometimes actually like the Internet ;-)

-Hudson

While the above suggestions are all excellent ones, none of them allow for a tangible contribution for a "from away" volunteer. Even if someone doesn't live in the vicinity of your museum, it is still quite possible to help out with the physical effort of restoration projects.

For example- I live in Texas, and am also a volunteer pattern maker for the WW&F, in Alna, Maine. I've been able to make contributions to current and future projects that make me feel like I've actually gotten to do something. I'd like to think that this works out well cor the museum as well, since it "expands" the tools and shop space that are available to be used, without requiring more tools to be purchased, or shop space to be added to the museum's physical address.

I absolutely feel like this sort of volunteering relationship can be extended to other trades. How many home shop machinists are there who might be willing to make a few small parts from home? There are a few things that have made this arrangement work, that would have made this otherwise impossible.

1) Communication- No matter how skilled the pattern maker, machinist, graphic artist, or web designer, they cannot work in a vacuum. In order to make sure that my efforts aren't misplaced, or holding up an active project, I've needed to be in close contact with the folks in charge of the projects. Certainly, some patterns have been started, finished and cast with little to no discussion. But others, like our replica Portland Company whistle- required frequent correspondence during the planning and execution. But staying in touch with the folks up there also helps me feel attached and a part of the team. I wouldn't want to be a volunteer who was totally disconnected from the progress. That would just get depressing.

2)Coordinating raw materials and shipping- My working relationship with the WW&F naturally sorted itself out. I'm able to pack the car full of patterns on the occasions that I can make the 2,000 mile drive. But if the size, or urgency of a project makes can transport unworkable- you need to think about whether or not you expect that volunteer to coordinate and fund the cost of shipping that (perhaps quite large) component. The cost of shipping vs. availability of closer manpower might be a deciding factor as to what sorts of projects you can have a "from away" volunteer undertake. Additionally, give some thought as to whether or not the raw materials for the project will be reimbursed, or for the volunteer to be considered as a part of their donation. A sheet of plywood for a pattern might not be an issue for a volunteer to chock up as a donation, but the brass stock for the 8 oil cups might be more than one volunteer is willing to eat.

Those are just two points that I could think of, from the top of my head. I'm sure there is more that makes for a successful "from away" volunteer, but maybe this can re-start this discussion. There are a lot of museums with a lot of fans who don't live close enough to regularly show up. How can you utilize your fans who wish to do more than just watch?

Projects can be small...




Or large...



Alan Downey

Hi Alan,

It's good to see you here on RYPN. The craftsmanship of your patterns is just stunning! Thank you for all that you have done, both for WW&F 9 and the soon-to-be WW&F 11.

Here is a picture I took on 4/25 of the finished whistle on WW&F 9. I can't wait to here how it sounds.

Best wishes,
Philip Marshall
(WW&F member)