Volunteer Job Descriptions
Board of Directors
There are 15 members on our Board of Directors including a self advocate. Each board member serves a term of three years and is permitted to serve a total of three consecutive terms. Each board member is expected to commit the time, talent and energy necessary to fulfill their duties of care and loyalty to MHDSA. Individual board members are expected to meet higher standards of personal conduct on behalf of the Association than those usually expected of other volunteers. Individual board members are also expected to read and abide by the Legal Responsibilities of Board of Directors, and also MHDSA's Conflict of Interest Statement.

Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk Planning Committee Member
The Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk Planning Committee consists of dedicated volunteers that meet once a month to plan the Step Up Walk, MHDSA's largest fundraising event. This group of individuals handles the details of the event such as obtaining corporate sponsors, designing brochures, print material and t-shirts, coordinating with donors for prizes and lunch items, and many, many other countless details that are necessary to provide a fun-filled day for families to enjoy.

Members of the planning committee are assigned a sub-committee chair position in a role suitable to each individual's skill sets. They are responsible for coordinating and managing their area of specialty. Examples of the various sub-committees are:

A sub-committee chair takes on the role of establishing volunteer and supply needs for their respective teams. As a rule, sub-committee chairs do not participate in the walk, but act as a host of the event.

Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk Event Volunteer
This episodic position has a myriad of options. Every year we utilize more than 250 Step Up Walk event volunteers to host the annual Step Up Walk. Many volunteer positions exist in various stations at the walk: volunteer tent, registration tent, pledge tent, food tent, Pepsi truck, snow cone stand, ice cream truck, parking lot, medical staff and more! We always need volunteers, groups or individuals, to assist with the various aspects of the event.

Corporate Outreach Volunteer
We are always looking for energetic and enthusiastic volunteers who are willing to share their story about their experience with MHDSA to solicit potential corporate donors for a financial contribution. If you have an "in" with a corporation, this is a great way for you to help the organization.

Event Photographer
Volunteer photographers are always welcome to provide professional or candid shots of individuals participating in our events.

Legislative Awareness Volunteer
We are always looking for energetic and articulate volunteers who are willing to share their experience with MHDSA and serve as advocates in the community to protect the rights of individuals with Down syndrome. When legislative issues come up that affect the rights or benefits of individuals with Down syndrome (or any individual who has a disability), it is important for us to have a pool of volunteers who actively keep abreast of these topics and are willing to publicly make their voice be heard.

Office Volunteer
Office volunteers are needed on a regular and episodic basis. Ideally, we like to have three volunteers who come in on a regular basis whether it is once a month, twice a month, or once a week. We also like to keep a pool of volunteers who can come in during business hours with as little as 24 to 48 hours' notice. Typical tasks performed by office volunteers include: photocopying, assistance with large mailings, assembling packets of print materials for our programs, and affixing labels to various print materials.

Parent Visitor
This position requires the successful completion of the First Call Visitor training session executed by the Family Outreach Manager. Parent Visitors are volunteers who visit new or expectant parents who have received the diagnosis of Down syndrome for their child(ren). (By invitation only)

Resource Fair Volunteer
This position entails attending resource fairs where it is appropriate to have information about our organization displayed. An example of this would be a transition resource fair, or the Special Olympics of Douglas County Resource Fair. Duties include obtaining appropriate MHDSA print material and display board from the MHDSA office, bringing it to the resource fair, man the table at the resource fair, and know enough about MHDSA to provide answers to questions at the resource fair.

Self Advocate Volunteer
This is one of the most important volunteer jobs we have. Whether a self advocate is volunteering for MHDSA or showcasing their abilities outside of MHDSA in the community, it speaks volumes and reinforces our mission of assuring inclusion and enhancing independence of individuals with Down syndrome.

Small Community Group Leader
This position requires the successful completion of the Community Group Facilitator training as well as adhering to the guidelines provided by the Family Outreach Manager. Small Community Group Leaders host a monthly meeting for other parents in their geographic area or specialty of topic, i.e. school age children.

Social Chair
Serves on Social Committee and is charged with the tasks of organizing the MHDSA annual Holiday Party, Easter Egg Hunt, Trick or Treat Street, and summer picnic. In addition, the Social Chair is responsible for putting together a line itemed budget for all of these events.

Social Committee Member
Supports the Social Chair and assists with the organization, set up and clean up of social events.

Speaking Engagement Volunteer
We are always looking for energetic, eloquent and articulate volunteers who are willing to share their experience with MHDSA and serve as volunteers for speaking engagements when the opportunity arises. If you have an area of professional expertise that you would like to share with either our constituents or people in the community, we welcome your talent and would like to provide the appropriate platform for you to share your message.