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Roots & Shoots California, a program of the Jane Goodall Institute, is seeking creative, goal-oriented individuals who will support the growth of our Roots & Shoots youth network. Roots & Shoots, the global humanitarian and environmental program of the Jane Goodall Institute, is designed to engage and inspire youth of all ages. Founded by Dr. Jane Goodall, it is based on the principle that knowledge leads to compassion, which inspires action. Roots & Shoots groups, pre-kindergarten through university age, plan and implement service projects showing care and concern in three areas: people, animals, and the environment. For more information, please visit www.rootsandshoots.org.

As a member of our highly collaborative team, the Volunteer Area Coordinator is responsible for engaging participants in San Diego County regional programs as well as supporting a system of youth and adult volunteers who can assist with regional goals. The coordinator helps to build a strong core of active groups and, from there, reaches out to new audiences, pulling in new participants and groups. This position fosters a sense of close association and identification among our members and our program staff, mission, goals, programs and public image. Ultimately, this position creates a consistent and sustained feeling of a close network connection and high program energy.

Roots & Shoots Offers:
• A professional networking opportunity.
• Opportunities for additional training.
• An opportunity to improve your skills in volunteer management, youth support and program management.
• A personalized reusable Roots & Shoots volunteer name tag.
• Roots & Shoots business cards
• An email address at janegoodall.org.

Your Commitment as a Volunteer:
• Volunteer at least 8 - 20 hrs per month, to be determined by individual agreement.
• Attend monthly coordinators meetings via the Roots & Shoots conference call line. Coordinate representation of Roots & Shoots volunteers at 2-4 presentations, group orientations, events or conferences within your region each month.

Qualifications:
Professional or volunteer experience in education, environmental education, youth development or related field; self-motivated with entrepreneurial spirit and creative ideas; commitment to the mission; willingness to travel within your area.


Basic responsibilities include:

Member Support
• Serve as a contact and support for Roots & Shoots groups within your region.
• Visit Roots & Shoots groups and participate in projects when possible.
• Help create and implement a plan with specific program elements to build a strong, sustained association between members and our programs. This plan will pay close attention to critical points in the membership process: new group support, yearly renewals, project support, and regular networking opportunities.
• Encourage members to submit their projects through the online project database.
• Notify the regional office of newsworthy Roots & Shoots projects in your area.

Volunteer Support
• Help identify and support local youth as candidates for the California Youth Leadership Council. Empower these youth to assist with program goals.
• Help recruit, train, and support adult volunteers that can assist with program goals, including: presentations, group orientations, events, and conferences.

Networking Support
• Supervise and empower youth and adult volunteers to develop and implement networking events annually within your region – the purpose of these events is to develop close association among groups, members and programs.

Training and Technical Support
• Ensure the implementation of trainings and educational events, focusing on opportunities that are financially sustainable and that pay attention to critical membership points (orientation, support, renewal).
• Ensure that training and materials link closely with state and local educational standards.

Organizational and Program Leadership
• Promote member participation in regional and national youth campaigns.
• Coordinate representation of Roots & Shoots volunteers at presentations, group orientations, events or conferences within your region.
• Act as a representative for the program at regional events – including staffing information tables and/or giving presentations as necessary.
• Help recruit regional groups to be present at the annual Day of Peace where they will exhibit their work and fly a Peace Dove Puppet.

If you're interested in this position, please contact Education Coordinator Erin Viera-Orr at eviera@janegoodall.org