WMEAC relies on caring volunteers like you to carry out our mission of leading environmental protection. We are all part of West Michigan’s environment, so we must work together to protect and positively influence our natural surroundings. WMEAC volunteers average 10,000 hours every year for various programs, professional, and maintenance needs! We need you to volunteer West Michigan to protect our environment!
Page last updated 10/19/2020.
RAIN GARDEN & GREEN ROOF
RAIN GARDEN & GREEN ROOF VOLUNTEER DAYS!
Next Scheduled Opportunity:
-
Thursday, October 22 from 11:00AM – 1:00PM
Join us in our rain garden and on our green roof, for volunteer days of weeding, mulching and planting!
The rain garden in our parking lot is one of the ways we reduce stormwater runoff, but it could use some TLC! You don’t have to know your plants – we’ll be there to help and answer questions! We also need help weeding the green roof garden to keep it working the way it should! Lend your green thumb to the cause and help pull weeds all while enjoying a great view. Everyone is welcome to participate – from aspiring green thumbs to Master Rain Gardeners!
Please note that protocols have been revised in accordance with COVID-19 best practices:
Please bring your own gloves and tools if possible. Sanitized tools will be available if needed. If you are feeling ill or have been in contact with anyone who might have COVID-19, please stay home. Please dress for the weather. Volunteers are only permitted in the office to use the restrooms. In the event of inclement weather, volunteers must shelter in their vehicle or leave early.
Location: WMEAC Parking Lot, 1007 Lake Drive SE, Grand Rapids
TEACH FOR THE WATERSHED
Teach for the Watershed
Our T4W program is an interactive, place-based watershed education program that connects middle school students to their local watershed using the tools of science and discovery! Students will engage in hands-on field work to determine the quality of a local stream.
If you are interested in working with students, environmental science, or protecting our water resources here in West Michigan sign up today to become a T4W Mentor! During the school year this program has two components: an in-classroom portion and an outdoor field work portion. This training session is for the field work portion.
During the summer, we need volunteers to help with activities at community events. If you’re interested in either summer or school-year opportunities, please send us an email or call our office at (616) 451-3051 for more information.
*Volunteers must pass a background check to work with students.
JOIN A COMMITTEE
WMEAC hosts a number of committees to help with our internal policies and procedures, provide guidance, and expand our network for effective community engagement.
Are you interested in a more formal commitment with WMEAC?
Let us know if you are interested in learning more about our Event Planning, Fund Development, Policy and Advocacy, IDEAL (Inclusion and Development of Environmental Allies and Leaders), and event specific committees like the Grand River Clean Up, Blue Tie Ball, the Annual Meeting, and Women and the Environment.
Women and Environment Symposium
Description/Background: The first Women and Environment Symposium took place in 2010 in partnership with Grand Valley State University’s Women’s Resource Center. The intent of the event is to integrate and elevate women and environmental topics and the intersections between the two. Historically, the event has held workshops, panel discussions, a keynote speaker, and presented awards. The event is held at a GVSU campus in late winter/early spring. The organization of the event committee is segmented into subcommittees including logistics, honoree, inclusion, speakers, sponsors/budget, and marketing.
Time Commitment: A one-time meeting takes place in the late spring/early summer to brainstorm and decide potential keynote speakers and the event theme for the upcoming event. Full committee meetings take place from September – March.
Monthly Time Commitment: The full committee meets monthly at the WMEAC office from September through March. Committee members are also expected to join a subcommittee to support action items and event needs. Time commitments vary based on subcommittee.
Responsibilities of Volunteers:
-
- Create event concepts, themes, and topics.
-
- Create and finalize event logistics including agenda, food, location, and time.
-
- Promote the event and honoree award opportunity.
-
- Facilitate inclusion.
-
- Plan and organize supporting community events with the keynote speaker to compliment community engagement.
-
- Brainstorm and secure event sponsors alongside WMEAC’s Director of Development.
-
- Meet monthly with the full committee during event planning months.
Contact: mrobinson@wmeac.org
Blue Tie Ball
Description/Background: The Blue Tie Ball is WMEAC’s signature fundraising event. It occurs in April – as close to Earth Day as possible. In addition to a cocktail hour and sit down dinner, we provide a short program highlighting several programs as well as a really fun live ‘experience’ auction.
Time Commitment: September – April
Monthly Time Commitment: Committee meeting meets 1-2x/month plus some independent work.
Responsibilities of Volunteers:
-
- Determining menu, drinks, entertainment and decorations
-
- Soliciting live auction items
-
- Assisting with sponsor development and solicitation
-
- Assisting with developing a strong host committee – a group that will use their connections to recruit attendees.
Contact: Mary Robinson at mrobinson@wmeac.org
Evening on the Lakeshore - Marigold Lodge
Description/Background: A fundraising and education/engagement lakeshore event to make our lakeshore-focused programs and initiatives more visible to the lakeshore community.
Time Commitment: May – August
Monthly Time Commitment: approximately three meetings as well as some independent work
Responsibilities of Volunteers:
-
- Help determine menu and program
-
- Assist with developing a strong host committee that will use their connections to recruit attendees
-
- Solicit Lakeshore sponsors
-
- Assist in soliciting door prizes
Contact: Mary Robinson at mrobinson@wmeac.org
Annual Meeting
Description/Background: Annual Meeting with WMEAC’s membership, donors, stakeholders, and partners to celebrate and acknowledge the past fiscal year and corresponding accomplishments at an organizational level. Event includes community time and networking, an award ceremony, and Board of Director selection by members. Event will take place in late October or November.
Time Commitment: June – Setting and securing venue and date, October – November – event planning
Responsibilities of Volunteers:
-
- Securing event venue and event food menu.
-
- Supporting day-of setup and breakdown needs.
Supporting day-of registration tabling needs
Contact: Mary Robinson at mrobinson@wmeac.org
Mayors’ Grand River Clean Up
Description/Background: WMEAC is proud to host the Annual Mayors’ Grand River Cleanup. Why do we clean the river? The Grand River is a vital part of the West Michigan community. It only takes 15-30 minutes for trash on our streets and around storm drains to find its way to the Grand River. Pollution in rivers negatively impacts plants, wildlife, drinking water quality, scenic beauty, and recreational value. The waste that is removed at the Annual Mayors’ Grand River Cleanup is a small act that has a grand impact on our community, and our volunteers are the reason this difference is made possible.
Time Commitment: The committee meets from late spring – early fall, when the event is held.
MGRC Committee Responsibilities:
- Forming partnerships with sponsors.
- Logistics – Brainstorming the ins and outs of the Cleanup as a team.
- Site planning – Finding cleanup sites that need our volunteers the most.
- Fundraising for volunteer transportation, morning refreshments, lunch, entertainment, etc.
- Attending the Cleanup to show support and lend a helping hand.
Contact: Mary Robinson at mrobinson@wmeac.org
