Volunteers
Committee Volunteers
The Star Island Corporation (SIC) Personnel Committee is looking for new members for open positions starting in 2017. The Personnel Committee is charged by the Board to create and advise upon policy regarding the treatment of staff, compensation and benefits.
Coordinating with the CEO and Human Resource staff, it recommends and oversees the Corporation’s personnel policies, including evaluation procedures; monitors job descriptions for key management positions; and reviews personnel problems as they affect policies as requested by the CEO or the Board.
Ideal membership candidates would have knowledge and experience in the human resource area, including advising on employee issues, compensation and benefits, handling grievances, and creating a supportive, healthy work environment.
The Personnel Committee meets approximately 4 times per year, primarily by phone. Membership term is three years, with the potential to renew for another three.
If you are interested or would like to discuss the committee or suggest possible candidates, please contact either Committee on Appointments liaison Bethany Swanson at bethanyq@yahoo.com or 914-953-7061 or Personnel Committee Chair Debbie Duval at debbieduva@aol.com or 508-400-4616.
Summer Volunteers
Summer volunteers help support our seasonal operation in many ways as well as work on specific projects. Let us know if you are available to volunteer any time during our season (mid-June through mid-September), and we'll let you know if we have work to be done and room for you!
Specific times we know we will need volunteers:
- June 9-17
- August 19-September 18
Summer Volunteer Application
First, a couple ground rules:
- All volunteers must be at least 18 years old.
- Volunteering is essentially working for your room and board, so that means that volunteers need to be prepared to work, not just hang out. Unfortunately, if people don’t work when they’re supposed to be volunteering, they might not be allowed to come back, or they might have to pay for their stay.
- Likewise, Volunteers (like staff) are not allowed to attend conference events unless specifically invited by the conference. Volunteering is a way to contribute to the island, not a way to go to your conference for free.
- Having volunteers is always dependent on the island having enough housing for them. There are weeks during the summer when conferences use every guest room available. We can’t house volunteers during those times. These weeks are listed on the application.
- Volunteers work on many crews, such as Housekeeping, Gardening, Grounds, Dish Crew, etc. For more information about the positions that might be available please see the Volunteer Position Descriptions below.
What To Bring
We will supply you with bed linens and shower towels. You should bring personal medications, glasses (reading/sun), comfortable shoes, flashlight, sun block, battery operated alarm clock, hat and swim wear (optional). Be prepared for all weather conditions; it can be warm and muggy or cold and rainy. Layers work well. Clothes should be neat and comfortable. For jobs with which you have contact with guests, but please also bring some clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. You might want to bring snacks and a water bottle, but if not, they can be purchased on island.
Lodging
Volunteers stay in rooms assigned by the on island Volunteer Coordinator and Island Registrar. While we would love to give everyone singles, space is limited so most of the time you will be sharing a room.
Volunteer Position Descriptions
Grounds
Grounds work includes mowing the lawn, killing poison ivy and simple landscaping work. Assisting our groundskeeper may require use of power equipment for mowing and weed whacking.
Housekeeping and Laundry
Housekeeping is one of the largest areas of need on the island. Expect to be dusting, sweeping, mopping, and washing walls, windows, and furniture. Daily rounds include taking out trash, replacing linens, and making beds.
Gardening
Help take care of the island’s many flower and vegetable gardens! Tasks are varied and may include weeding, selecting and cutting flowers for floral arrangements, starting seeds, transplanting, harvesting veggies for meals, and watering. The island is also home to a small poultry flock and, if interested, volunteers may be involved in everyday poultry care and management: feeding, watering, and cleaning the coop.
Brute Strength work: moving and hauling
If you choose this work, you might be helping the truck crew move the food from the dock to the kitchen, or the luggage from the rooms to the dock. There is always a lot of work requiring strength on the island.
Refinishing Furniture
Star Island has some beautiful antique furniture that needs care and repair. This summer we will be refinishing Snack Bar chairs and some of the guest room dressers. Interested? This is a great job for those who don’t want to do a lot of lifting and moving.
In-Town, changeover assistance
This volunteering area is for anyone interested in catching some Star Island spirit on the mainland. On Saturdays our conferences change over which means one group departing and one arriving. You may be asked to greet people as they arrive, move baggage or direct parking all in conjunction with our Pelican changeover crew.
Spring Volunteer Weekends
Come help reawaken Star Island from its winter slumber and spend a beautiful spring weekend on the island! We have five spring work weekends in May and early June. Volunteer opportunities include housekeeping, kitchen staff, gardening, and grounds/maintenance/general labor.
Learn more about our spring volunteer weekends
If you have questions about volunteering, contact the volunteer coordinator at volunteer@starisland.org or aminer@starisland.org
