| JOIN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING VOLUNTEER POOLS
To become a member of one of these volunteer pools (and receive notifications of relevant volunteer opportunities), complete this online volunteer application/waiver form. In the "*Project" field, choose "Need to be assigned". Then call or email Jen Wootten (302-234-2045 or jenw@rebuildingphilly.org) to discuss which volunteer pool(s) you'd like to join.
Skilled volunteers. The skilled volunteer pool has several subsets. They are called upon year round to help evaluate projects, design work scopes, create materials lists, and implement repairs.
Skilled volunteers are needed year-round, and may schedule volunteer time according to their availability. Call Jim Coburn (215.965.0777)if you are a skilled volunteer that wants to get involved this spring, and he'll find a job for you!
EPA Certified Renovators oversee preparatory work that requires a volunteer certified through a course on the Environmental Protection Agency's RRP (Renovation, Repair, and Painting) Lead Safety regulations. RRP renovators are critical to directing lead-safe work practices and providing on-the-job training during any projects in which lead paint might be disturbed. RRP renovations take place before the HMTs begin other repairs.
Licensed or skilled electricians, plumbers, carpenters, roofers, HVAC, masons are essential to defining realistic work scopes, leading teams through the proper sequence of repairs, and just plain old doing those tasks that most volunteers don't know how to do.
Occupational Therapists meet with homeowners and HMT's to assess needs and perform home evaluations in order to recommend home safety modifications for the work scopes. OTs will work closely with RTP staff and OT managers such that homeowner needs and recommendations are well-documented and specific to the homeowner. OTs work side by side with HMTs on Rebuilding Days to implement their recommendations.
The Energy Efficiency Team provides homeowners with important installations and insulation materials that conserve energy and water use in the home. Volunteers hand out and aid the installation of conservation kits, and seal approved basements and keep heat from escaping from hot water heaters, pipes and ducts.
Homeowner Outreach Volunteers engage mostly in direct, door-to-door outreach as well as some indirect outreach through community organizations and other venues. The goal of the HOV team is to canvas RTP's predetermined target neighborhoods. Volunteers go door to door with small, informative flyers to leave on the porches of homeowners and to converse with homeowners. Outreach may also be conducted at other organized community events.
Community Gardeners clean, build, and maintain garden areas at the community's vacant spaces and porch areas. Community Gardeners also lead other general volunteers on rebuilding days. Through RTP, the team interacts with residents and local gardening experts to develop appropriate project designs. The community gardeners are also our tree tenders, responsible for assessing, designing, gathering resources and implementing the planting of new trees and tending of existing trees.
The Stormwater Management Crew facilitates the installation of down spout planters with internal plumbing to capture storm-water. The crew conducts installation work under the supervision of technical experts from the Phila. Water Department. You can learn more about stormwater management here. Interested? We have a down spout planter training session scheduled for Saturday March 24 in West Philadelphia.
Safety Captains are responsible for enforcing RTP's safety protocols, performing education presentations as needed, and working with RTP staff to maintain and improve safety protocols.
The Hospitality Volunteers are responsible for the support and appreciation of RTP volunteers. Their responsibilities include event day set-up, volunteer check-in and organization, VIP/press liasonship, breakfast/lunch set up, and general troubleshooting for volunteers and homeowners. Hospitality volunteers must have strong interpersonal skills, as they will be points of contact throughout the event day.
Drivers/runners/shoppers: Drivers and runners provide critical support to house management teams on Rebuilding Days. Their responsiblities include delivering materials from the mobile warehouse to houses, collecting trash and hauling to a centrally-located dumpster, making runs as needed to local hardware stores to pickup additional materials, and returning to the warehouse at the end of the day with the mobile warehouse to unload and organize leftover materials. Drivers and runners should have an SUV or pickup truck, be willing to lift heavy items (safely, of course), and be excellent navigators. Shoppers spend Rebuidling Days at a home improvement store, and are available to pick items off the shelf and pay for them throughout the day, so that runners can get the materials quickly. You'll need a cell phone and a patient nature.
Home evaluators are responsible for professional home evaluations of all interior and exterior areas of applicants' homes to identifying home safety, health and critical repairs needed. Home evaluators work closely with RTP staff to develop a consistent approach to assessing and repairing an RTP home and will make recommendations on potential work scope items. Evaluators also work with the RTP program committee to maintain and improve the criteria and evaluation process for identifying appropriate homes. Although not required, BPI-certification is a bonus!
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