Volunteers
The contribution of a strong corps of volunteers makes it possible for Star to bridge the gap between great needs and limited resources. Volunteerism accounts for as much as one fourth of our labor needs throughout the year, from island facilities projects to administrative office tasks and from committee participation to the donation of professional expertise. Together it is an impressive display of dedication from a caring and talented community.
On-Island Volunteering Opportunities
Spring Volunteering
Come help reawaken Star Island from its winter slumber and spend a beautiful spring weekend on the island! We have spring work weeks and weekends in May and early June. Volunteer opportunities include but are not limited to: kitchen staff, housekeeping, painting, gardening, and grounds/landscaping.
Learn more about our spring volunteering
Summer Season Island Volunteering
For those interested in contributing to the work that goes into running the island, there are opportunities for volunteering alongside our island staff. You provide the elbow grease, and we’ll provide the boat transportation, a bed, hearty and delicious meals, and the wonderful community of our friendly hard-working staff.
The 2024 Summer Volunteer Application will be posted here on May 1st.
Island Volunteer 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.
- We discourage volunteers from coming during a conference they have attended in the past. Volunteers cannot eat with the conferees nor can they attend conference events unless explicitly invited. If you are looking for a more affordable way to attend a conference, please consider our financial grant program.
- 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.
Island Volunteer Position Descriptions
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.
Landscaping and Gardening
Landscaping may include mowing the lawn, cleaning up walking paths, pruning trees/bushes, chipping brush, and helping with invasive plant maintenance. Tasks often require the use of power equipment including lawn mowers, string trimmers, hedge trimmers, and a brush chipper.
Star Island has several perennial flower gardens, window boxes/container plantings, and multiple vegetable and herb gardens. Gardening work may include planting and transplanting, watering, weeding, deadheading, pruning, mulching, and other garden chores. Familiarity with gardening is helpful but not required.
Both landscaping and gardening require the ability to be outside for a full day of physical work.
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.
In-Town, changeover assistance
This volunteering area is for anyone interested in catching some Star Island spirit on the mainland. On Sundays 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.
Summer Garden Volunteering Day Trips
Want to spend a Sunday or two on the island this summer working in the gardens? Our flower and vegetable gardens thrive on the love and hard work of our volunteers. Work includes weeding, watering and harvesting. No experience necessary, as we’ll try and match up people each Sunday with varied experience levels. The boat leaves Portsmouth early on Sunday morning and returns back to town at in the late afternoon. Lunch, training and tools are provided. Email Janis Wolak if interested.
Gift Shop And Bookstore Volunteering
The Isles of Shoals Association operates both the Gift Shop and Bookstore on Star Island. If you are interested in volunteering in either of these shops during the conference season please contact the Isles of Shoals Association by clicking here.
Office Volunteering
Office volunteers assist in large mailings, filing, data entry, and errands throughout the year. If you live locally and are interested in being one of our invaluable office volunteers, please email us at office@starisland.org.
Ambassador Program – Spreading The Word About Star
Star Island is always looking for volunteers willing to help spread the word about the myriad of conferences we offer in their local communities. If you would like to help on this front, please visit our Star Island Ambassadors page. For questions or comments about being an Ambassador, please contact ambassadors@starisland.org.
Other Volunteer Opportunities
We welcome offers of volunteer help outside of our island and office. If you are a professional or an expert in a certain field (fundraising, engineering or food service for example) and would like to lend your expertise to our committees or staff, please email our office at office@starisland.org.
