Opportunities From: Five Rivers MetroParks

Can't decide which you love more -- enjoying the Summer Music Series at RiverScape or supporting the Five Rivers MetroParks?!  Good news, you don't have to choose!  Beer and Wine Sales volunteers, age 21 and over, can do both when they assist staff by pouring and serving beer and wine for event participants. Staff members take the guess work out of the equation and will be on site to check identification to approve or deny service. Volunteers may be stationed inside the RiverScape Cafe, the Rentals Office or outside under a 10' x 10' tent. 

Impact

Proceeds from alcohol sales will further our mission of protecting the region's natural heritage and providing outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature.

Tasks Assist staff by pouring and serving beer and wine to approved customersHelp staff with setting up the drink serving area, including moving stanchions to form the line area Periodically restock the product, which requires lifting up to 20 pounds Assist with questions about the event, park, and Five Rivers MetroParks, and refer questions you cannot answer to a MetroParks staff member on-site Volunteers will primarily be standing, but may have the opportunity to sit and rest during downtime. Please be advised that some events have much higher attendance than others resulting in a steady line of customers all evening, and in turn fewer opportunities to sit and rest.

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual, long-term, or short term volunteers, ages 21 and up who have qualified in Beer and Wine Sales Training.  Simply click the blue RESPOND button to sign up.

GET STARTED: This opportunity requires Volunteer Onboarding (Profile, Volunteer Handbook Signature, and for those 21 and up an eligible background check), plus Beer and Wine Sales training. Simply click the blue RESPOND button to begin completing the required qualifications or click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer. Additional NotesParking and Meeting Instructions: Volunteers can park at the Main Office lot, 409 E. Monument Ave, at the top near the FRMP vehicles with a volunteer hangtag. If you do not have your official volunteer parking pass yet, you can contact Volunteer Services at 937-275-PARK or www.volunteer.services@metroparks.org.Meet staff near the Rentals Office window when you arrive. Volunteers will be provided with a brief onsite orientation by staff.Cancellation:  If you need to cancel a shift last minute or are running late, please call the staff lead, James Carter, at 937-277-4359. Environment & Physical Demands: ​​Light physical duties include standing for up to 3 hours, walking, and light lifting to help set up and tear down booth materials. Dress: Please wear your volunteer name badge and, if you have one, your green or blue volunteer T-shirt. Be sure to wear closed toed shoes. Reusable volunteer vests and nametags will be provided for you at volunteer check in onsite.Other: Volunteers must abstain from drinking alcohol until after their volunteer shift is finished and must remove their volunteer nametag and any other volunteer apparel when consuming alcohol.

 Learn more about Special Events opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House. 

Looking for a way to support MetroParks' gardening efforts in our downtown parks? Do you enjoy promoting beautiful green spaces in an urban setting? Learn and apply effective horticulture techniques with plants chosen for their horticultural benefits, while fostering healthy biodiversity for pollinators.

Impact

Horticulture at Five Rivers MetroParks creates, maintains, and preserves green space and habitats for pollinators and native plants, as well as educates visitors on sustainable gardening practices and local food production.  Gardening volunteers support the Horticulture and Outdoor Connections staff in a variety of gardening tasks. 

Tasks: 

Under the supervision of the assigned staff, volunteers will support and assist with the following:

hands-on landscape and garden maintenance, including planting, watering, pruning, deadheading, mulching, weeding, edging, seasonal cutbacks, and general care of annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees. helping create a positive park experience by keeping landscaped areas tidy and assisting park visitors with questions and wayfinding. Eligibility This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Long-Term, Short-Term, and Youth. Learn more about our types of service here. Youth Volunteers: Youth volunteers ages 14-17 are not required to complete a background check. If you are a new youth volunteer, contact volunteer.services@metroparks.org to have your background check waived.  This opportunity is available for OSUE Master Gardener service hours. Additional Notes: Please sign up for your volunteer shift at least 2 days in advance.  Parking & Meeting Instructions: RiverScape and Urban Parks Garden Stewards support staff at a variety of downtown MetroParks. You will receive a weekly email from the staff lead with more information on where to meet. Volunteers support the following parks: RiverScape (237 E. Monument - park in a VISITOR SPOT at the Main Office) Deeds Point (510 Webster St - park in a VISITOR SPOT at the Main Office)Note: If visitor parking is not available, you must display your volunteer parking hang tag in your vehicle. Failure to display your volunteer parking hang tag may result in a parking ticket when parking in the Main Office parking lot. If you do not have a volunteer parking hang tag, please contact Volunteer Services. Island (101 E. Helena St.) 2nd St. Market (600 E. 2nd St.) Sunrise (50 S. Edwin C. Moses – contact staff lead for map) Cancelation: If you need to cancel a shift last minute or are running late, please call project staff lead, Reagen Wylie, at (937) 459-0721. Environment & Physical Demands: ​​This project takes place outdoors - Please be aware of outdoor exposure risks (i.e., sun, poison ivy, insects, etc.). Volunteers should be aware of seasonal allergies (e.g., grass, pollen, bees). Volunteers can expect to participate in bending, kneeling, twisting, reaching, and sometimes lifting objects 25 lbs or more in possibly shaded or direct sunlight. Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear long pants and closed-toe shoes, and have their favorite work gloves, water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray.  Look for Additional Details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Gardening Volunteer Position Description for more detailed information.