How To Volunteer
Volunteering with the Municipal League is a great way to contribute to your
community and, more selfishly, ensure that the League will always be there
watching out for good government. These are general descriptions of volunteer
opportunities with the Municipal League. The details of the positions change from
time to time. Some activities require a commitment of a month or two. On-going
time commitments can be tailored to fit your schedule. Some positions are
occasional such as special events or a major office task. Do you have some other
talents that you would like to volunteer? Let us know! E-mail
admin@munileague.org or call
(206) 622-8333.
Candidate Evaluation Committee Member
Tasks: Interview candidates running for local office in King County.
Research candidates' work histories & references. Determine recommended
ratings and present them to the League's Board of Trustees.
Timeline: Applications are accepted from January through June.
Committee selection begins in June and training occurs the third week in July. Candidate
interviews begin the last Monday in July and run most weekday evenings through
the third week of August. Download and complete an application in
Word or PDF format. Return instructions are included in the application.
Required: You must attend at least 50 percent of the interviews, and
cannot endorse, volunteer for, or contribute funds to any candidate running for
an office being rated by the League. You should have knowledge and/or interest
in local politics.
Rewards: You will become one of the most informed voters in King
County by meeting with many of the candidates running for office. You will be
providing information that is not available elsewhere to the public in a
non-partisan, unbiased manner. You will learn about the important issues facing
King County, and what local elected officials and candidates plan to do about
them. You will become part of a diverse, informed, and hard working group of
individuals that have put aside their personal politics to evaluate candidates
on the non-partisan criteria of knowledge, involvement, effectiveness, and
character.
Candidate Evaluation Program Intern
Tasks: Act as the liaison between committee and staff. Greet
candidates and provide them with information. Pass out and collect ballots after
voting has taken place. Provide committee with any new information on the
candidates being interviewed.
Timeline: Applications are accepted during June and interns are
selected in July. Candidate interviews begin the last Monday in July and run
most weekday evenings through the end of August.
Required: You must attend every committee meeting. You must have
reliable transportation to go between the League office and the committee site
(Seattle, Redmond, or Auburn) on a daily basis. You should have knowledge in
and/or be interested in local politics.
Rewards: Learn about local issues and meet others interested in
politics and public policy. Meet many of the candidates running for office in
King County. A stipend is paid for this position.
Ballot Issues Committee Member
Tasks: Examine complex measures that face voters on election day, and
offer well-reasoned analyses and recommendations to help guide voters at the
ballot box. Research information from sources including press coverage,
materials and analyses prepared by other organizations, and/or Public Disclosure
Commission reports on major contributors to campaigns.
Assist with preparation of the issue report, including a recommendation to
the Board that the League support, oppose, or not take a position on the issue.
Timeline: After the Board of Trustees selects the issues to be
examined by the League, committee members are expected to attend one meeting a
week for approximately one month.
Required: You must commit to an affirmation to be fair, to avoid
active involvement in support or opposition to issues being evaluated, to advise
the BIC Chair of any conflict or appearance of conflict of interest, and to
attend committee meetings. You should have knowledge and/or interest in local
politics.
Rewards: As with the Candidate Evaluation Program, you will become one
of the most informed voters in King County by meeting with both the opponents
and proponents of local initiatives. You will be providing information that is
not available elsewhere to the public in a non-partisan, unbiased manner. You
will learn about the important issues facing King County. You will become part
of a diverse, informed, and hard working group of individuals that have put
aside their personal politics to evaluate ballot issues on the non-partisan
criteria of good government and sound policy.
Research and Writing
Tasks: On a regular or occasional basis, research and write articles
for the newsletter and publications.
Required: Good writing and research skills. Ability to work under a deadline. Some working knowledge of public policy issues.
Rewards: Your work will be published in one of the area most highly
regarded policy publications.
Administrative Support
Tasks: On a regular or occasional basis assist the League staff with its office functions:
- Archiving historical files, including photographs.
- Organizing and arranging issues files.
- Clipping newspaper articles relating to local policy issues.
- Researching candidates and issues.
- Helping with bulk mails and other administrative tasks.
- Entering information into the computer for publication on the web site.
Required: Time management skills; ability to handle multiple tasks;
ability to follow directions; strong organizational skills; positive attitude;
ability to be constructive, helpful, and supportive; patience and a sense of
humor!
Rewards: The many, many thanks of the League's staff and hands-on
experience working in a small, non-profit office.
|
