Applications for Fall 2023 - Spring 2024 are open until July 31, 2023.
What is a volunteer?
Volunteers are trained by museum staff to act as guides, interpreters, community representatives, and much more!
Volunteers are essential to the educational mission of Fort Bend Museum. They are enthusiastic individuals who share their passion for history, culture, art, and preservation to connect our visitors to the museum.
Volunteers are essential to the educational mission of Fort Bend Museum. They are enthusiastic individuals who share their passion for history, culture, art, and preservation to connect our visitors to the museum.
What do FBM volunteers do?
Volunteers lead public tours for all ages at the museum. They use different engagement techniques to start conversations about history, culture, arts and the world around us. They help visitors think critically and creatively while connecting them to the collection, the grounds, and each other.
Volunteers help with museum programs and events as greeters, wayfinders, or an extra pair of hands where needed.
Volunteers represent the museum at outreach events including festivals, block parties, art fairs, and other community gatherings with partner organizations.
Volunteers are also dedicated to promoting policies that encourage inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility within the volunteer corps.
Volunteers help with museum programs and events as greeters, wayfinders, or an extra pair of hands where needed.
Volunteers represent the museum at outreach events including festivals, block parties, art fairs, and other community gatherings with partner organizations.
Volunteers are also dedicated to promoting policies that encourage inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility within the volunteer corps.
Who can become a volunteer?
Anyone with a passion for history, culture, art, preservation, (even gardens) and a desire to inspire is welcome to apply. There are no educational or professional requirements for becoming a volunteer. Volunteers will be trained by museum staff on everything they need to know.
Fort Bend Museum respects, values, and celebrates the unique attributes, characteristics, and perspectives that make each person who they are. We believe that our chief strength lies in human diversity, both within our organization and among the visitors and communities with whom we engage. We seek out diversity of participation, thought, and action, and work affirmatively and strategically to be inclusive. For us, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are drivers of organizational excellence.
Fort Bend Museum respects, values, and celebrates the unique attributes, characteristics, and perspectives that make each person who they are. We believe that our chief strength lies in human diversity, both within our organization and among the visitors and communities with whom we engage. We seek out diversity of participation, thought, and action, and work affirmatively and strategically to be inclusive. For us, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are drivers of organizational excellence.
What are the benefits of being a volunteer?
Volunteers receive specialized training by museum staff. Those who complete the training will emerge with a comprehensive understanding of the museum's collections as well as practical skills in public engagement, community outreach, and best practices in diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.
Volunteers are invited to special events and parties throughout the year in addition to an annual volunteer luncheon. We emphasize community building as much as continued education. Fort Bend Museum is a place to make lifelong friendships and to be a part of an amazing team.
Volunteers are invited to special events and parties throughout the year in addition to an annual volunteer luncheon. We emphasize community building as much as continued education. Fort Bend Museum is a place to make lifelong friendships and to be a part of an amazing team.
How do I become a volunteer?
Complete the online Volunteer Application form. Candidates will be selected to interview between June and August. Those accepted into the new volunteer class will begin their training in August.
Beyond being able to commit to the training hours and requirements, we're looking for candidates who are enthusiastic, flexible, and committed to the museum's mission and values. Successful volunteers work as members of a team and enjoy working with visitors of all ages.
Beyond being able to commit to the training hours and requirements, we're looking for candidates who are enthusiastic, flexible, and committed to the museum's mission and values. Successful volunteers work as members of a team and enjoy working with visitors of all ages.
Is there a minimum time commitment required to be a volunteer?
Volunteers are not required to give a certain number of hours to stay in the program after graduating. Some volunteer a few hours each month while others are here several days of the week.
Volunteer opportunities are available during the work week, select evenings, and weekends.
New volunteers are asked to attend each training throughout the fall season. Each training is one and half hours long. In addition to the live, in-person training sessions, recordings are offered in the form of video links to increase access to the program.
Over the course of a year, the total time commitment for trainings is about 10 hours. Additional requirements including meetings, tour shadowing, and practice tours are estimated up to 10-20 hours of your time. This equates to about 4 hours of your time each month.
Volunteer opportunities are available during the work week, select evenings, and weekends.
New volunteers are asked to attend each training throughout the fall season. Each training is one and half hours long. In addition to the live, in-person training sessions, recordings are offered in the form of video links to increase access to the program.
Over the course of a year, the total time commitment for trainings is about 10 hours. Additional requirements including meetings, tour shadowing, and practice tours are estimated up to 10-20 hours of your time. This equates to about 4 hours of your time each month.
What flexibility can I expect as a volunteer?
We understand that each volunteer has different needs. Our volunteer training program is offered both in-person and via recordings so all can learn at their own pace. Upon becoming a volunteer, there is no minimum amount of hours required to stay in the program.
Volunteers choose to volunteer with the tour groups, events, and programs that best suit them. They are never assigned work.
Volunteers choose to volunteer with the tour groups, events, and programs that best suit them. They are never assigned work.
What accessibility options are there for volunteers?
Touring volunteers with physical or mobility needs can give stationed tours, remaining in one room or outdoor area while tour groups cycle through. Volunteers can use stools or chairs during tours. Seating can be provided during events and festivals as needed.
If you have questions about additional accessibility options at Fort Bend Museum, please contact Erika Isham at eisham@fortbendmuseum.org or 281-342-6478.
If you have questions about additional accessibility options at Fort Bend Museum, please contact Erika Isham at eisham@fortbendmuseum.org or 281-342-6478.
What support will I receive as a volunteer?
Mentors will be assigned to incoming volunteers at the start of the program. Mentors help create a warm and welcoming environment for new recruits, monitor their progress in the program, and offer their advice and experience throughout the first year.
The Education and Engagement Coordinator is the primary contact for volunteers. They oversee the program and maintain an open door policy for any questions, concerns, or suggestions from the volunteer corps.
The Education and Engagement Coordinator is the primary contact for volunteers. They oversee the program and maintain an open door policy for any questions, concerns, or suggestions from the volunteer corps.
