ACS Volunteer Opportunities

Count me in! I want to help ACS save the whales! Please contact me right away and tell me what I can do! * name: address: city: state:      zip: country: phone: * email:   GENERALLY, IT IS SIMPLY TOO COSTLY TO MAKE PHONE CALLS SINCE MOST ARE LONG-DISTANCE - WE NEVER SHARE EMAIL ADDRESSES WITH ANY GROUPS OR INDIVIDUALS OUTSIDE ACS interests: special skills: notes: You must be 18 years of age or older to volunteer with ACS, or be accompanied by your parent or guardian. * REQUIRED INPUT Some forms on this site may not work with some firewalls and security systems. If you have problems with this form, please call the office.

The American Cetacean Society is currently recruiting board and committee members. There are positions available to suit a wide range of interests, including Publications, Chapter Relations, Conservation, Development and Fundraising, Media Relations/Marketing, and Membership. (Details about specific needs are outlined below). Time requirements vary depending on your availability - just 1 or 2 hours per month can make an enormous difference.

Volunteering for the American Cetacean Society is an opportunity to be involved with the world's oldest marine mammal conservation group. We offer you an opportunity to use your talents and skills to have a direct voice in the overall effort to protect cetaceans.

Founded in 1967, ACS is a non-profit, volunteer membership organization with regional U.S. chapters and members in over 20 countries. Our National Headquarters is in San Pedro, California. Chapters are located in Puget Sound, Washington; San Francisco, California; Monterey, California; Channel Islands, California; Los Angeles, California; and Orange County, California.

Our mission statement is to:

protect whales, dolphins, and porpoises, and their habitats,
through education and outreach, conservation advocacy, and facilitating research

By volunteering with the American Cetacean Society you will be performing a valuable service in the worldwide movement to protect whales, dolphins and porpoises. If you are interested, or would like more information about a particular position, please contact the office at 310-548-6279 send us a message.

They AREN'T SAVED YET!

Publications:

1. Publications Chair:
   1. Coordinate all printed publications of the American Cetacean Society, including Whalewatcher, Spyhopper and our web site
   2. Supervise a paid editor in the design and layout of ACS publications
2. Publications Committee:
   1. Gather materials for Whalewatcher, our annual publication containing scholarly articles on whale research and education worldwide.
   2. Gather materials for Spyhopper, the official newsletter of ACS. This biannual, electronic publication contains current whale research, conservation issues, educational updates, latest ACS news, book reviews and recommended reading lists.

Chapter Relations:

1. Communicate with regional chapters of ACS
2. Promote inter-chapter cooperation
3. Develop projects, which may involve more than one chapter
4. Assist with the development of new chapters.

Conservation:

1. Research and maintain excellent working knowledge of current issues, laws and political events that impact marine mammals.
2. Oversee what issues need to be published, what issues need action and to what degree ACS will become involved.
3. Work with Conservation Committee to research a variety of conservation concerns, put together articles for ACS publications and expedite urgent matters to the National Board.

Education - assist the Education Chair with the following responsibilities:

1. Manage the translation of our fact sheets into Spanish
2. Write lesson plans
3. Write more fact sheets on issues facing whales
4. Help plan a workshop for naturalists
5. Develop new educational projects for ACS National and for the chapters of ACS.

Development:

1. Secure funding for the strategic plan organizational goals and objectives.
2. Develop projects that bring in both revenue and increase visibility for ACS.
3. Use creative "out of the box" thinking to reach new contributors.
4. Work in conjunction with grant writers and development committee members to reach as many potential donors as possible.

Media/Marketing

1. Identify ways and methods to enhance the image, identity and visibility of ACS.
2. Issue timely press releases.
3. Develop relationships and leverage partnerships to further organizational goals.

Membership:

1. Participate in the development of materials to increase membership.
2. Participate in the development of materials to always improve benefits to current members.

Secretary - assist the Secretary with the following responsibilities:

1. Maintain records of the board and ensure effective management of ACS records.
2. Manage minutes of all board meetings.
3. Distribute minutes to all board members within two weeks of meeting.
4. Conducts appropriate correspondence and performs other duties, as the National Board shall require.
5. Attends all board meetings and makes appropriate arrangements for documentation when attendance is not feasible.

Office Support: (for our San Pedro-based National Headquarters)

1. Assist with general office duties, including: computer support, database management, special events/programs planning
2. Library assistance

Regional Chapters

Each of our regional chapters is also completely volunteer-based, and always looking for new people to get involved. They have many similar areas that need assistance:

1. Educational events/outreach
2. Membership development
3. Scheduling speakers for monthly meetings

By participating with the American Cetacean Society you will be performing a valuable service in the worldwide movement to protect whales, dolphins and porpoises.

If you are interested, or would like more information about a particular position, please contact the office at 310-548-6279 or send us a message.