Volunteering for EdCom
Being a volunteer for an EdCom committee is a great way to become more involved in the professional field of museum education. It is also the best avenue to learn how the EdCom Steering Committee functions and decide if you want to take on a larger leadership role. We encourage museum practitioners with diverse experiences and backgrounds to volunteer.
To get started, complete the EdCom Volunteer Interest Form. Rank up to three work areas where you would be willing to contribute time. Descriptions for each are below.
Click here to complete the EdCom Volunteer Interest Form
After you submit a completed form, the EdCom Membership Lead will contact you (please allow 10 business days). Please note that some committees onboard new volunteers at specific times of year and can manage only a limited number of volunteers at a time. Thank you for your interest and willingness to consider giving your time to support the field!
Communications
Opportunities include (time commitments in parentheses):
- Assist in pulling together quarterly EdCom Newsletter from Steering Committee Leads. (Creative / Admin, 4x per year)
- Assist in creating Newsflashes about upcoming EdComversations, One Good Thing posts, Annual Meeting announcements, and other need-to-know info. (Creative / Admin, up to 1x per month)
- Create regular Social Media posts and re-tweets, after training on strategy, voice and tone (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook). (Creative, ~ 4 hours per week for three months at a time)
- Create and share social media analysis for the social-media volunteer team and Steering Committee. (Analytical, 2x per year)
Annual Meeting
Volunteers assist in developing conference plans for EdCom events at AAM Annual Meeting, and if attending, help staff events.
Opportunities include
- Review any reception or happy hour at Annual Meeting and plan logistics or content.
- Coordinate luncheon program if appropriate, including selecting speaker, creating slide deck, and providing logistical support.
- Provide support coordinating between AAM staff, EdCom, and partners, speakers and guests, as needed.
- Occasional support during AAM Annual Meeting Call for Session Proposals (usually August)
Time Commitment: One to two hours per month, primarily January – May. Added time at events at AAM Annual Meeting, if attending.
Leadership Development / Mentorship
Volunteers participate in selecting and managing the Museum Education Mentor (EdMEM) program cohorts.
Opportunities include:
- Mentor pair coordinator: Act as a first point of contact for 3-5 mentor pairs, reaching out to them 3-4 times throughout the year, either by phone or email to check in on how the program is going for them (~15 hour commitment, June – December)
- Mentor pair matcher: Read and help match mentors and mentees (~10 hour commitment, February/March)
- Mentor program orientation coordinator: Work with a small group of volunteers to update and organize both the program handbook and the orientation webinar (~10 hour commitment, April/May)
Time Commitment: Varies; see each type of role for approximate time commitment.
Awards
Volunteers read submissions, score, and rank winner(s) for EdCom Excellence in Educationawards.
Opportunities include:
- Read and score all submissions in your particular category. In past years, there were five categories: the John Cotton Dana Award; Excellence in Practice; Excellence in Programming; Excellence in Resources; and Innovation in Museum Education.
- Respond promptly to communication and scheduling requests.
- Participate in a conference call to determine the winners.
- Assist in coordinating awards presentation during the annual convening.
Time Commitment: Two to four hours per month, January/February. One long call, March.
Regional Representatives
Regional Reps are committed to advancing museum education at the regional level, ideally in conjunction with the regional museum associations. Reps are responsible for fostering engagement among members within their regions, representing EdCom at regional meetings, and sharing information from their regions with the EdCom Steering Committee.
Opportunities include:
- Act as liaison to share communications and programs with your regional museum network, and keep Membership Lead informed of highlights from your region.
- Arrange a “One Good Thing” event and/or blog post.
Time Commitment: Two to four hours per month. Reps serve a three-year term representing one of the six AAM regions. In addition to the duties listed above, they meet virtually every month. Regional Rep positions will be open according to the following schedule. Reps are recruited up to a year in advance:
2021 MPMA & NEMA
2022 AMM & SEMC
2023 MAAM & WMA
Trends in Museum Education
Trends volunteers commit to joining monthly meetings (to the extent possible) and to co-writing one research-based post/article for AAM’s blog and co-hosting one EdComversation during the working year.
Opportunities include:
- Keeping up to date with AAM’s TrendsWatch report and general trends in the museum education field
- Working with a partner to develop a direction for an article to be posted on AAM’s website; conducting relevant research; reaching out to peers in the field for case studies
- Working with committee to edit and refine articles
- Arranging panels or other types of conversations for the EdComversation series
Time Commitment: One hour per month for most months; 10-20 hours per month when working on assignment
Professional Development
Volunteers help create and organize opportunities for professional development related to museum education.
Opportunities include:
- Work with the Professional Development Lead to organize events, like EdComversations.
- Identify, vet, and prepare speakers and partners for professional development programs.
- Track related program logistics, including communications language, registrations, and program documentation.
- Coordinate with Trends and Annual Meeting teams on projects as necessary.
Time Commitment: One hour per month for most months; 10-15 hours per month when working on assignment.