Powered by Volunteers
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
Winston Churchill
For over 50 years, the Paris Museum and Historical Society has been powered by volunteers; people willing to give their time, their knowledge and their skills to help ensure that the history of Paris is preserved.
From the very beginning, in 1972, it was volunteers who mapped out their vision of a Historical Society for Paris and then made that vision reality.
Over the years, volunteers have given what they could for as long as they could and have been the vital energy that has kept the museum on track for fulfilling its mission of preserving and sharing Paris’ history.
We currently have about 40 members who are volunteers on a regular basis. Four of those volunteers began in the past year.
Prospective volunteers have a chance to explain to Tina, the curator and volunteer coordinator, what their skills are, what they think they would like to do in the museum and what sort of time commitment they would like. Over time, people sometimes discover that they would like to try different jobs than when they first began, or would like to come in more often, or less often. These changes are all accommodated for.
Currently, volunteers are:
Receptionists
data entry clerks
researchers of buildings, families,
businesses and more
transcribers of documents
filers and sorters of archives
docents, interacting with guests
serving on the board
receiving/approving donations
curators of artifacts and archives
photographers
conservationists of artifacts
exhibits designers and creators
artifact organizers
(cataloguing/storing)
• event organizers
• newsletter writers
• social media liaisons
• community organizations links • financial experts
It is clear that volunteers give a lot to the community in general, and to the museum! What do they get out of giving all that time? These are some things that our volunteers have said:
Our volunteers give over 200 hours of their time every week. We are open to the public from 1 – 4 pm, four days a week. If you do the math, it looks like there might be a dozen volunteers in every day! However, it is more spread out than that. While we are open to the public 16 hours a week, there are volunteers working before and after hours, as well as working on days that the museum is not open. Some people contribute a portion of their time from home.
Every year we have a volunteer tea as a thank-you, but it never seems like enough! Hats off to all of the volunteers who are the passion and power that drives the Paris Museum and Historical Society!!
What do volunteers get out of giving of their time?
These are some things that our volunteers have said:
“I love helping people with their research and projects. If I can do something, however big or small, that benefits them, then that makes me very satisfied and happy.”
“I meet interesting people, stimulate my brain, get to use my gifts and skills and have a social time with other volunteers.”
“I have had the satisfaction of being given the responsibility for major projects.”
“I enjoy the social aspect. I love meeting new people and hearing their stories.”
“It is a creative outlet that also feels meaningful.”
“I get to practice teaching skills and practice my own professional best standards.”
“I find it enriching to learn from and contribute to the community.”
