Ways to volunteer

NASW is an organization that relies on the energy and enthusiasm of volunteers. As volunteers, members can help shape programming as part of a committee or working group, lead or contribute to projects and programs, or run for the board. NASW member volunteers are recognized each year in our ScienceWriters member magazine, as well as via our annual Diane McGurgan Volunteer Service Awards. Thank you to all who contribute and help NASW reflect the needs and interests of members.

Below is a list of currently open calls for volunteers.

• Info Access Committee
  
• Journalism Committee
  

Info Access Committee

The NASW Info Access Committee is looking for enthusiastic member volunteers to join the committee! NASW members interested in facilitating open communication among journalists, PIOs, and government agencies are encouraged to join.

One or two volunteers are needed to serve as Project Coordinators to manage the NASW Information Access Standards best-practices document. Developed after a summit of journalists and PIOs in October 2018, the guide has somewhat fallen out of memory — so we have a goal to revive this resource, continue engaging professional users within NASW and beyond, and to update the resource or convene future summits as needed. Learn more about the standards and download the poster at: https://www.nasw.org/infoaccessstandards

We are also interested in adding new Committee Members and a Committee Co-Chair who could strengthen the committee’s subject area expertise in policy issues, such as media access and press freedoms. The goal here is to position the committee to be more alert to U.S. federal, state, and local policies and current events that affect the NASW professional community — and to advise the NASW Board of Directors on potential areas needing attention or action. If you already love tracking these developments, then inquire with your interest to join the Info Access Committee!

The time commitment will depend on the eventual rhythm of regular committee meetings, the Info Access Standards project effort, and the policy tracking and alerts efforts. At minimum, expect 2-4 hours per month to prepare for and participate in committee meetings online. The Committee Co-Chair is expected to incur more hours, managing volunteers, leading meetings, and communicating with the NASW Board.

For more details, please contact Info Committee chair Teresa Carey at infoaccess@nasw.org

This opportunity is open to all NASW member categories.

Journalism Committee

The NASW Journalism Committee is looking for an enthusiastic volunteer to serve as Project Coordinator for a new investigative journalism grant. The manager's role will be to compile applications, coordinate a small group of volunteers to screen or judge entries, and report on the group’s consensus on grant recipients.

Recruiting of volunteer judges and setup of judging workflow will need to take place in October/November, but the bulk of work will be done between November 18, when applications are due, and early December 2024, when the selected awardees list is delivered to NASW staff for processing. The time commitment will depend on how many applications are submitted, but we estimate the commitment will be 36~40 hours across three months, with the option to continue coordinating future rounds of the grant.

Additionally, the Journalism committee seeks four to six volunteers as Screeners or Judges for the investigative journalism grant. Responsibilities will include reading and evaluating applications, and meeting with other volunteers and the project manager once or twice to discuss decisions. The bulk of work will be done between November 18, when applications are due, and early December 2024, when the finalist list must be delivered to NASW staff for processing. The time commitment will depend on how many applications are submitted, but we estimate the commitment will be no more than 8 hours for the screeners, and 12~18 hours for judges.

For more details, please contact Journalism Committee co-chairs Emily Sohn and Betsy Mason at journalism@nasw.org

This opportunity is open to NASW Professional Members; those with experience and familiarity as practicing journalists will be preferred.

Annual Volunteer Calls

Some volunteer needs follow a rough annual pattern. Watch the website for volunteer calls during these times:

• Programs Committee call for members: January/February
• ScienceWriters conference proposals: January/February
• NASW Award judges: March/April
• David Perlman Virtual Mentoring Program: May
• ScienceWriters conference volunteers: August/September
• AAAS Meeting Mentor Program: December/January
• Various Committee members and other needs: Throughout the year

Questions? Contact aed@nasw.org

Committee chairs: Are you in need of volunteers for your committee or help with a special project? Write up a call and send it to aed@nasw.org for posting here.