VOLUNTEER

SIGN ME UP!
There are three ways to sign up to volunteer with RTO:

Sign Up Online

Print and mail or fax  Volunteer Form

E-mail or call us at info@rtoakland.org or (510) 625-0316

BEFORE YOU VOLUNTEER!
Whether you are a first time volunteer or an old pro at home repairs, PLEASE review Prepairing to Paint and How to Paint a Wall before you join us on the workday. Also, please review basic Ladder Safety.

Some other rebuilding basics you might enjoy to make your workday a little smoother:

How to Paint a Piece of Furniture
How to Repair a Cracked Drywall Seam
How to Repair a Nail Pop
How to Install Weatherstripping
How to Install an Exterior Door
How to Build a Raised Bed

For tips on specific workday projects view the videos at Home Depot

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There are many ways to volunteer at RTO (age 14 and up):

Project Volunteer
Team Leaders
Other Project Roles
Year Round Support
Committees

A. Project Volunteers
Project volunteers basically show up on the workday and are put to work on a project/task that fits their skill level:

Skilled Trades
We also need skilled tradespersons to do specialized jobs and/or lead small teams of skilled volunteers. Specialized work may include highly skilled tasks such as installing new plumbing, electrical wiring, or new heating system, or other skilled work that is needed.

Skilled Volunteers
We need volunteers skilled in variety of areas including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, roofing, tile work, drywall, flooring/carpet installation, HVAC. Projects include rebuilding porch steps, installing new plumbing or electrical fixtures, laying new flooring or hanging new sheetrock. These skilled volunteers may be skilled trades, retired or former trades, and/or weekend warriors.

Unskilled Volunteers
There is plenty of work for unskilled workers on almost all of our projects, including painting, cleaning, landscaping, etc.  Also, there may be an opportunity to learn new skills under the supervision of a skilled volunteer.

“Safe-At-Home” volunteer
For those that have time year-round to help out, and are somewhat handy, consider becoming a volunteer with the Safe-At-Home minor home repair program.  We will train you, to do work such as installing grab bars, and safety railings.

Workday Photographer
If you have a "good eye" and your own digital camera, you can volunteer to take pictures and document the October and April workdays. The photos taken on those days are used for this website as well as other marketing materials. Also, if you are handy with Adobe Photoshop, photo retouching is needed throughout the year.

B. Team Leaders
Every RTO project—whether a home or community facility renovation project—is lead by a volunteer team that manages the project.

House Captain
House Captains are the most important role at RTO. They are the overall project manager and boss on the project.  They decide on the scope of work to be accomplished at the chosen site, plan for a safe realistic and meaningful project, work with RTO staff to secure necessary materials, recruit skilled volunteers, determining the number of volunteers needed for the job, and directing volunteers on the workday. The position requires about 40 hours of volunteer time, including the workday.

Co-Captain
If you are interested in becoming a House Captain, but are wanting more experience before leading your own project, consider volunteering as a Co-Captain. You will work alongside an experienced House Captain, and will gain the skills and confidence necessary to be a House Captain in the future. This is a great way to build valuable trade skills and help the community at the same time!

Volunteer Coordinator
Volunteer Coordinators serve as liaisons between the House Captain, volunteers and the RTO staff. They perform a variety of duties such as recruiting volunteers, checking in volunteers on the workday, keeping morale up on-site, providing support to the House Captain, and providing food on workdays. The position requires about 20 hours of volunteer time, including the workday.

Safety Coordinator
The Safety Coordinator ensures that all work performed at the work site is done in a safe manner. This person must take preventative measures, such as watching for tripping and falling hazards, ladder safety issues and safe paint prepping practices.

C. Other Project Roles
There are a number of other roles that often need to be filled at each project:

Homeowner Companion
The Homeowner Companion makes sure that the homeowner is comfortable on all work days and that their concerns are addressed. This role can be done by the Volunteer Coordinator.

Meal Coordinator (April only)
The Meal Coordinator organizes breakfast and lunch for volunteers, via in-kind donors, sponsors, or volunteer preparation. This role can be done by the Volunteer Coordinator. Breakfast and lunch should be provided to all volunteers on all prep and work days. The Meal Coordinator should arrange to pick up the food or have it delivered. RTO recommends that the Meal coordinater make efforts in advance of April to get food donated or discounted.

Runner
The Runner makes runs to stores and the RTO warehouse on the workday for last minute supplies.

Visit our Getting Started Kit for more details on other roles.

D. Year-Round Support
Opportunities to support RTO throughout the year:

“Safe-At-Home” volunteer
For those that have time year-round to help out, and are somewhat handy, consider becoming a volunteer with the Safe-At-Home minor home repair program.  We will train you, to do work such as installing grab bars, and safety railings.

Office Volunteer
We can always use an extra hand in our office, particularly when we're getting near workdays. Typical office assistance includes database entry and management, homeowner and facility outreach, coordinating mailings, and marketing and event support.

Warehouse Volunteer
Help us manage our tools and supplies in our warehouse, and get supplies ready for specific work projects.  Also, assist with workday supplies as needed, and pick-up and drop offs from project teams.

E. Join a Committee

Project Committee
The project committee meets monthly starting six months before the April workday to coordinate efforts for Rebuilding Together Oakland's programs. Roles on the Project Committee include: inspecting and recommending projects, coordinating donation of services and goods, warehousing donations and purchasing needed supplies.

Fund Development Committee
The Fund Development Committee works on securing critical funds to keep our organization alive and well. Development activities include identifying and soliciting potential donors, writing grant proposals, hosting fundraising events and sending appeal letters to individuals in the community.

Marketing Committee
Rebuilding Together Oakland produces a bi-annual newsletter to inform our supporters, volunteers and members of the Oakland community. If you like writing or have skills in editing layouts for PR materials, lend a hand in getting out the word about Rebuilding Together Oakland.

Community Outreach Committee
Assist with outreach plan that serves diverse Oakland community. Identify community resources and contacts, arrange for material distribution, speak of various social service and community based organizations.

Resource Committee
Solicit in-kind donations of materials, tools, and equipment from local business; recruit skilled labor and volunteers from unions, trade groups, contractors, other organizations; also help recruit new sponsors. Also, help organize RTO warehouse.

Volunteer Appreciation Committee
Plan and manage appreciation events, gifts, and recognition for volunteers, team leaders, and sponsors. Help take photos and arrange archives and distribution.

Technology Committee
Help develop, update, maintain and expand our database management system, website, computer hardware, software, network and phone systems, to better serve our clients, volunteers, and sponsors, and further leverage our limited dollars.