Program Volunteer teams that keep Ashby Village thriving: Member Engagement, Member Support, Member Help at Home, Activities & Events, and Village Support

HomeVolunteer Teams

WELCOME TO OUR VOLUNTEER TEAMS PAGE!

Here, you'll find descriptions of the various program teams that keep Ashby Village thriving, organized by focus: Member Engagement, Member Support, Member Help at Home, Activities & Events, and Village Support. Click team names for more information.

Our volunteers (including the many who are members) play a vital role in the Village, and we ask for a regular commitment of at least 2-3 hours per month. If you're interested in learning more about how you can get involved with any of our teams or committees, please reach out to the contact person listed in the team description.

We'd love to have you join us!

Member Engagement

Accordion Widget

Member Engagement Team

The Member Engagement Team helps Ashby Village members take full advantage of the village based on their interests and needs, which is especially valuable to those who who are enjoying their first year of membership. Team volunteers connect members to direct services, activities and programs, and with other members, volunteers, and staff. Contact Member Services Manager Karen Dean (karen@ashbyvillage.org)

Accordion Widget

Walking Buddies Team

The Walking Buddies Team matches members who might like to walk together and also organizes regular planned walks in each of the eight Ashby Village neighborhoods throughout the seven cities where members live. Contact Volunteer Services Manager Jessica Sterling (jessica@ashbyvillage.org)

Accordion Widget

Welcome Team

Welcome Team Volunteers acquaint new members with the direct services available to them as part of their village membership and how to access them, as well as the volunteer and activity opportunities available and how to get involved. Contact Member Services Manager Karen Dean (karen@ashbyvillage.org)

Member Support

Long- and Short-term paired relationships

Accordion Widget

Connections Team

Connections Volunteers provide regular friendly visits to members who, for various reasons have become more socially isolated. Enjoy tea and talk, take a walk, watch a movie or play a game. These are just a few of the ways our team members get to meet and interact with our dynamic and interesting village members. We hear from our volunteers that providing this support is so rewarding that they often feel that they receive more than they give. Volunteers connect for a few weeks, a few months or on an ongoing basis, and Connections visits are tailored to the individual needs of both the member and the volunteer. Contact Volunteer Co-Coordinators Jane Selby (jselby70@gmail.com) and Mimi Wolff (mimi.wolff@gmail.com).

Accordion Widget

Social Care Team

The Social Care Team (SCT) is comprised of retired or semi-retired volunteers and provides evaluation and short-term support for members facing health and wellness challenges, family and personal crises, and other age-related issues. During an in-home visit, an SCT volunteer and a member mutually define the current challenge, and the SCT volunteer provides possible solutions, including resources and services available within and outside of the Village – such as food delivery and transportation services provided by Ashby Village volunteers, and referrals for home-care providers and housing transition planning). SCT visits are limited to three, whenever possible. Contact Member Services Manager Karen Dean (karen@ashbyvillage.org)

Member Help at Home

Accordion Widget

Decluttering Team

Specially trained Village decluttering volunteers help members sort through and organize items in their homes and garages, making it easier to find what they need and creating more space. Decluttering volunteers work with members to decide what to keep, donate, or discard, and the result is a safer, more enjoyable space and greater peace of mind. Decluttering volunteers may provide assistance beyond a one-time organizing visit. (Decluttering volunteers do not provide moving assistance, emergency or time-sensitive support, or help with projects that may require heavy lifting.) Contact Team Lead Christina Crowley (ccrowley580@gmail.com)

Accordion Widget

Home Safety Assessment Team

Home Safety Assessment (HSA) Team volunteers visit members' homes to review and note areas where accidents are likely to occur, check for physical hazards, review elements of fire safety, and encourage safety awareness and practice. HSA volunteers offer members suggestions for improving the safety and usability of areas in their homes, such as the entry, hallways/stairs, bath, kitchen and bedroom. Contact Volunteer Services Manager Jessica Sterling (jessica@ashbyvillage.org)

Accordion Widget

Technology Team

The Technology Team is an informal gathering of volunteers who share and learn best practices to help members access technology and acquire technology skills. Technology Team volunteers have the opportunity to help design and run workshops and support the technical needs of various village groups, as well as assist with Village-wide initiatives, such as researching and testing smartphone applications and senior-friendly group communication systems or platforms. Contact Volunteer Services Manager Jessica Sterling (jessica@ashbyvillage.org)

Activities & Events

Accordion Widget

Arts & Culture Team

Arts & Culture (A&C) volunteers produce free public events that Ashby Village offers to the community and virtually around the country and beyond. Since 2016, A&C volunteers have produced over 30 events on themes that include sports, history, politics, art and music, climate change and others. A&C volunteers plan detailed event logistics, help promote events, and contribute ideas for topics and speakers. Contact Team Lead Sigrid Duesberg (sigrid@ashbyvillage.org)

Accordion Widget

Events Team

The Events Team plans and coordinates monthly pre-social hour and social hour events, as well as supporting numerous additional Ashby Village events such as the annual picnic, holiday party, lectures, and parties. Contact Team Lead Sigrid Duesberg (sigrid@ashbyvillage.org)

Accordion Widget

Walking Buddies Team

Village Support

Accordion Widget

Communications Committee

The Communications Team is a Board-level Committee that develops and executes strategies to achieve Ashby Village's communication goals and objectives and, as such, is led by Board Member Julie Freestone and Development & Communications Manager Charis Hanshaw. Communications Team volunteers help produce Village publications (such as the monthly Village Voices newsletter, weekly event bulletins) by interviewing Villagers, researching topics of interest to our members, writing articles, and providing design, graphics, photography/videography and publishing support. Communications Team volunteers also assist with event promotion. Contact Charis Hanshaw (charis@ashbyvillage.org)

Accordion Widget

Development Committee

The Development Committee is a Board-level Committee that raises funds to enable Ashby Village to fulfill its mission and, as such, is led by Board Member Jan Corazza and Development & Communications Manager Charis Hanshaw. Board members, volunteers and staff on the Development Committee build and nurture relationships with individual and legacy donors and secure support from foundations and corporate sponsors. Development volunteers also help with digital, mail, and peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns. No prior fundraising experience is needed to join. Contact Charis Hanshaw (charis@ashbyvillage.org)

Accordion Widget

Office Corps

Office Corps volunteers assist in the Ashby Village office with various administrative tasks, including answering phones, responding to requests for information, copying, filing, data entry, and helping with mailings. Contact Volunteer Services Manager Jessica Sterling (jessica@ashbyvillage.org)

Accordion Widget

Outreach Team

The Outreach Team builds awareness of Ashby Village and talks with people interested in learning more about membership and volunteering. Outreach volunteers lead Village Information Sessions and follow-up with prospective members and volunteers and represent Ashby Village in the community at events (such as street fairs and local farmers markets) and as guest speakers for events produced by other organizations. Contact Team Lead Joan Straumanis (logicaljoan@gmail.com)

Ashby Village
1821 Catalina Ave
Berkeley, CA 94707
(510) 204-9200
info@ashbyvillage.org

STAFF • COORDINATORS • FORUMS