From the Secretary: Volunteer Appreciation Month
Attend the Volunteer Appreciation Event April 7, at 2:00 p.m., and watch for other programming especially for volunteers throughout the month.
As the Smithsonian reopens to the public and we begin National Volunteer Month, I want to recognize the commitment of our Smithsonian volunteers during an incredibly difficult two years. I respect their dedication and appreciate all they have done for us.
Despite the challenging circumstances, the Smithsonian volunteer community’s mettle was proven by all the ways they stepped up. Volunteer docents helped bring the Smithsonian to people no matter where they were by conducting live virtual public tours of museums, and many people transitioned from volunteering in person at our information desks to doing so virtually. During the past fiscal year, nearly 1,500 volunteers attended a live Smithsonian Volunteer Enrichment Program. In March, after much anticipation, the Call Center reopened. And recently, the Smithsonian Transcription Center reached an impressive milestone: 1 million pages transcribed by the digital volunteer community.
Of course, some volunteer roles can only be done in person. For instance, many Zoo Aides have continued to help our animal care staff and researchers take care of our animals throughout the pandemic. It shows that our volunteers are driven by equal parts passion and compassion.
On behalf of the entire Smithsonian, let me give my sincere thanks to everyone who has been able to volunteer remotely or in person during the past two years. I know many are anxious to come back and help, too; my heartfelt thanks to them as well. Rest assured, when it is safe to welcome everyone back, we will do so with open arms. We will need all hands on deck.
In the meantime, I invite everyone to attend our virtual Smithsonian Volunteer Appreciation Event on April 7 at 2 p.m. We will discuss some of the exciting things the Smithsonian has in store for volunteers, including our two new museums, the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum. Details about how to view the event will be emailed to staff and volunteers on April 5. For more Volunteer Appreciation Month stories, please check out the Volunteer Voices blog on Torch throughout April.
Again, thank you for all the work our dedicated volunteers do. I hope everyone can attend the Volunteer Appreciation event to recognize their valuable contributions to the Smithsonian.
Sincerely
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Posted: 1 April 2022
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