Share the quiet elegance of Old Fort Lauderdale at Bonnet House an historic house, gardens and art museum. The artistry of the home and tranquility of its thirty-five acre setting are unique in this urban setting. Volunteers are needed to welcome visitors, conduct tours of our Nature Trail, and to back-up Guides for the historic house tours.
If you are interested in architecture, art, history or the natural environment, you will enjoy volunteering at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. This wonderful house and its surrounding grounds are open to the public. Guests are welcome to visit through guided tours, lecture series, nature trail tours, school programs and special events. The estate is also available for private parties, weddings and receptions in which guests may further enjoy the charm and whimsy that is Bonnet House. Look at our Volunteer Calendar of Events to see the many diverse activities on-going at Bonnet House.
Volunteers have many opportunities to serve. It is through our volunteers and their efforts that we are able to maintain the integrity of this unique historical estate and to ensure a pleasant and enjoyable experience for each guest who visits. Volunteers are the life blood of Bonnet House.
Volunteer Orientation Group Volunteer Orientations are held in October and January to introduce potential volunteers to volunteer opportunities that are available at Bonnet House. New Volunteers are always welcome and will be orientated on a one to one basis.
Training Classes Full Training Classes are held in October and January to train new volunteers as guides and back-up guides for house tours. Training will consist of 4 classes 5 hours each. Each session will be on a different topic and all four classes are required to become a Bonnet House Guide. All volunteers are encouraged to attend these sessions to become familiar with the Birch-Bartlett families and Florida History. New Volunteers will also learn about the family, the property and the ecosystems on the job working with seasoned volunteers.
Annual Guide Meetings A mandatory meeting will be held in October and January for all guides and back-up guides as an update and refresher course. All volunteers must attend one of these meetings.
Lecture Series Are held in January, February & March these two hour Morning Lectures will present an in-depth look at various topics of interest associated with the collections, grounds and the Birch-Bartlett families.
Volunteer Field Trips Volunteer Field Trips take place several times a year. All volunteers are invited to attend. We do reciprocal tours with other museums, nature centers and parks. We receive behind the scenes tours and meet with other volunteers in the surrounding areas.
Listed below are the Bonnet House Volunteer positions. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at Bonnet House, please fill out the oline Volunteer Application and questionnaire and return it to Bonnet House. We look forward to your joining us as a volunteer at Bonnet House soon!
If you have any questions or wish to contact us, please
call Linda Schaller at 954-563-5393 x 137
or Email: LindaSchaller@bonnethouse.org
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
POSITION
DESCRIPTION
Lead Guide
Lead Guides share the "Bonnet House Story" with visitors who take a tour of the main house. Lead Guides must first serve as a back-up guide and then attend a guide training course to learn the script for the tour. Skills Needed: Enthusiasm for history and sharing with others. A willingness to learn; Ability to effectively interact with and communicate with groups of people; Dependability and flexibility; Ability to stay on one's feet for two hours. Duration of assignment: 11 months per year Ongoing/ Weekly: 1 x per week or twice a month. Days Needed: T, W, Th, F, S, S Hours Needed: Tours daily, Volunteer will pick time and day. Minimum: One 2 hour shift per week.
Education Volunteer
Promote the Museum's educational mission by providing accurate, informative and enjoyable programs of the Museum, which compliment the Sunshine State Standards.Introduce the Museum, conduct a special guided program for school children, and answer appropiate questions. Skills Needed: Enthusiasm for history and sharing with others. A willingness to learn; Ability to effectively interact with and communicate with school groups; Dependability and flexibility; Ability to stay on one's feet for two to three hours. Training and curriculum provided. Programs include History, Science and Art. Duration of assignment: 11 months per year Ongoing/ Weekly: 1 x per week or twice a month. Days Needed: M, T, W, Th, F Hours Needed: As needed per registration of school. Minimum: One 2 hour shift per week.
Back-up Guide
Back-Up Guides assist the lead guide as visitors tour the main house. Back-Up guides help to maintain group control and oversee the collection as visitors move from room to room.
Skills Needed: Enthusiasm for history and sharing with others. A willingness to learn; Ability to effectively interact with and communicate with groups of people; Dependability and flexibility; Ability to stay on one's feet for two hours. Ability to follow instructions. Duration of assignment: 11 months per year Ongoing/ Weekly: 1 x per week or twice a month. Days Needed: T, W, Th, F, S, S Hours Needed: Tours daily, Volunteer will pick time and day. Minimum: One 2 hour shift per week.
Nature Trail Interpreter
Nature Trail Interpreters share historical, environmental, and botanical facts of interes with visitors riding on the tram (a large golf cart seating 6 people) along the nature trail. It is preferred, for those who volunteer as nature trail interpreter, to have some knowledge of plant and tree identification. Training provided.
Skills Needed: Enthusiasm for history and sharing with others. A willingness to learn; Ability to effectively interact with and communicate with groups of people; Dependability and flexibility; Ability to stay on one's feet for two hours. Ability to follow instructions. Current valid drivers' license. Duration of assignment: 11 months per year Ongoing/ Weekly: 1 x per week or twice a month. Days Needed: T, W, Th, F, S, S Hours Needed: Tours daily, Volunteer will pick time and day. Minimum: One 4 hour shift per week, or twice monthly.
Bridge Greeter
Welcome visitors and guests to Bonnet House during tours, weddings, receptions, corporate parties, and special events. The greeter is also available to give directional information to visitors and guests.
Skills Needed: Enthusiasm for history and sharing with others. A willingness to learn; Ability to effectively interact with and communicate with groups of people; Dependability and flexibility; Ability to move around the courtyard for two hours. Duration of assignment: 11 months per year Ongoing/ Weekly: 1 x per week or twice a month. Days Needed: T, W, Th, F, S, S Hours Needed: Tours daily, Volunteer will pick time and day. Minimum: One 2 hour shift per week, or one shift every other week.
Courtyard Coordinator
Attends the Main House front entrance/Courtyard by checking admissions, monitoring courtyard, ensure all Self-Guided guests know rules and floor plan, make sure all rooms are monitored and be able to account for all guided tour positions and move guides when needed.
Skills Needed: Enthusiasm for history and sharing with others. A willingness to learn; Ability to effectively interact with and communicate with groups of people; Dependability and flexibility; Ability to stay on one's feet for two hours. Duration of assignment: 11 months per year Ongoing/ Weekly: 1 x per week or twice a month. Days Needed: T, W, Th, F, S, S Hours Needed: Tours daily, Volunteer will pick time and day. Minimum: One 2 hour shift per week, or one shift every other week.
Museum Shop Assistant
Help mainain control and oversee items in the gift shop. The shop assistant is available to give directional information to visitors and to assist with pricing, inventory, wrapping and the display of merchandise.
Skills Needed: Enthusiasm for sharing with others. A willingness to learn; Ability to effectively interact with and communicate with groups of people; Dependability and flexibility; Ability to stay on one's feet for two hours. Duration of assignment: 11 months per year Ongoing/ Weekly: 1 x per week or twice a month. Days Needed: T, W, Th, F, S, S Hours Needed: Tours daily, Volunteer will pick time and day. Minimum: One 2 hour shift per week, or one shift every other week.
Collections Volunteer
Work with the Curator in the care and maintainance of the archives, records and collection.
Skills Needed: Enthusiasm for history and sharing with others. A willingness to learn; Ability to effectively interact with and communicate with groups of people; Dependability and flexibility; Computer skills, good eyesight, no allergies to dust or mold. Love examining old objects, books, and detail oriented. Comfortable using a small paintbrush. Duration of assignment: 12 months per year Ongoing/ Weekly: 1 x per week or twice a month. Days Needed: M, T, W, Th, F Hours Needed: Volunteer will pick time and day. Minimum: One 2 hour shift per week, or one shift every other week.
Research & Library Volunteer
Create a research library of the Bartlett's book collection.
Skills Needed: Computer or typing ability. Know the alphabet and organizing. Love looking at old and rare books, examining and learning about old books, some off-site research at libraries or other museums. Retired Librarian would be a perfect match. Duration of assignment: 12 months per year Ongoing/ Weekly: 1 x per week or twice a month. Days Needed: M, T, W, Th, F Hours Needed: Volunteer will pick time and day. Minimum: One 2 hour shift per week, or one shift every other week.
Data Input
Compile and input data in various formats for events and files.
Skills Needed: Knowledge of computers and various software programs. Ability to decipher handwriting and organize data to input into databases. Ability to climb the stairs to the offices. Duration of assignment: 12 months per year Ongoing/ Weekly: 1 x per week or twice a month. Days Needed: M, T, W, Th, F Hours Needed: Volunteer will pick time and day. Minimum: One 2 hour shift per week, or one shift every other week..
Share the quiet elegance of Old Fort Lauderdale at Bonnet House an historic house, gardens and art museum. The artistry of the home and tranquility of its thirty-five acre setting are unique in this urban setting. Volunteers are needed to welcome visitors, conduct tours of our Nature Trail, and to back-up Guides for the historic house tours.