Call for Volunteers for Outreach
The Outreach Volunteer Program, AKA Nutty Buddies, is off to a great start. We have new members whom we would like to reach out to. The following request is meant for members who became members before 2017 since our new members are still getting acclimated. Instead of having only a few serving in the volunteer pool, and since we only requested sign ups from the member’s meeting attendees last winter, would you would be willing to participate?
If so, please reach out to Renee Bates, coordinator for the program: reneebatesartist@gmail.com or, 615-642-3007. Read more about how it works below.
These are the basics:
Role of Outreach Volunteer (Nutty Buddy)
· To reach out by phone to new members in optional ways:
o welcomes them to the group
o Let them know you don’t know where they are in their painting practice, whether they are new to painting, new to plein air painting, or are experienced, and that you are here to answer questions and help them get familiar with The Chestnut Group and its practices.
o If there is an event coming up, you may offer to ride together or meet there and introduce them to some other members.
o If willing, offer to meet up to talk about gear, set up, etc, if needed. The role is not to teach painting but to help new members overcome the possible angst of getting out there with a group in which they are unfamiliar. Let them know about Paint Your Heart Out learning opportunities for new painters in spring (new) and fall, and additional focuses in the Fall PYHO session.
o encourages new member to go to paintouts and, meets them at a paintout, if possible, to help them get familiar with process
o let new member know there will be Nutty Buddies at paintouts specifically to welcome new members and paint nearby. Let them know that if they don’t want anyone to see them paint, that is o.k. – they don’t have to.
o encourage new members to be involved in TCG by volunteering for shows as this helps them get familiar with other members and our processes for showing work.
o let them know about resources on the website for preparing for shows, offer to walk them through it to show them where to look for resources and help with profile, shows, Leave No Trace, and Cafe Press.
Role of Nutty Buddy Coordinator (Renee)
· Receives new member information from Rachel
· Assigns member to Nutty Buddy (rotates so no one is overloaded, assigns according to geography and even distribution)
· emails new member information to Nutty Buddy and follows up with a call
· coordinates who will buddy at each Chestnut event; contacts, confirms, reminds.