STC Washington DC Chapter Volunteer Community outreach

Society for Technical Communication

Washington, DC Chapter

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WDC Exclusives

Chapter Information

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Community Outreach

The following items are opportunities to volunteer your time, resources, or services to help your neighbors and your community.

National External Diploma Program of Fairfax County, is looking for volunteers for the National External Diploma Program (EDP) to tutor adults in writing.

The National External Diploma Program is a high school completion program for adults, which emphasizes practical life skills (and practical writing skills). The program allows adults to complete high school and receive diplomas through skills demonstration rather than tests or formal classroom study.

For details, see the position descriptions (26K PDF).
American Red Cross Recruits Volunteers
The American Red Cross is recruiting volunteers to serve local needs.
Arlington County Volunteer Office
Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation has several opportunities for volunteers to participate in health fairs, special events, speaking engagements, and office assistants in the Washington DC metropolitan area. Call at the Metro Chapter Office at 202-537-6800 ext. 3023 for more information.
Caring Communities respite care resources for families of children with disabilities in the Washington, DC metropolitan area (District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia). Has respite care training for teens and adults.
Greater DC Cares
Literacy:
- Literacy Council of Northern Virginia
- Literacy Council of Montgomery County
- Literacy Council of Prince George's County
- Literacy Volunteers of the National Capital Area (LVA-NCA)
- ProLiteracy
- ReadThisToMe.org allows blind and low-vision people (clients) to have printed or handwritten documents read to them over the phone. The service is available throughout the U.S. and Canada. A ReadThisToMe volunteer receives a fax of a document, calls the client back, and reads the document over the phone.
- The Reading Connection
Northern Virginia Association for Volunteer Administration (NVAVA) — is a professional nonprofit membership organization for people committed to the effective involvement of volunteers in community programs and services.
Quality Education for Minorities (QEM) — the QEM Network is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. dedicated to improving the education of African Americans, Alaska Natives, American Indians, Mexican Americans, and Puerto Ricans.
Student Stream Teams a National Parks Lab partnership between the Potomac area national parks and schools
Join Stream Teams, adopt a stream in Prince George's County, and make a difference! Call 301-883-5822.
Volunteering Links for Washington, DC
Volunteer CityMatch Find volunteer opportunities in the Washington, DC metropolitan area
WETA fund raising
Contact WETA for volunteer information in the following areas:
- General: 703-998-2697
- WETA-FM FM91 Marathons: 703-998-3407
- TV26 Pledge Drives: 703-998-3407
- Station Tours: 703-998-2696

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Donations Needed

Many organizations in the Washington, DC metropolitan area accept donations for a wide variety of items. Some of these are

Arlington County's list of donation-accepting organizations
The Arlington County Volunteer Office lists the following categories: Appliances, Bicycles, Books, Cars, Cellular Phones, Clothing, Computers, Food, Furniture/Office Equipment, Medical Supplies, Miscellaneous, and Toys.
Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation is looking for office equipment such as laptop computer, PowerPoint® projector, camera, office chairs and bookshelves, scanner, desk (L-shaped), desktop printer, portable tabletop display, large-screen computer monitors, ergonomically designed computer accessories such as keyboard cradles, etc. Contact the Metro Chapter Office at 202-537-6800.
Computer Reclamation
Computer Reclamation recycles computers that are donated by individuals, businesses, government, and other organizations. It refurbishes and provides these upgraded computers to schools, community organizations, non-profits and low income families for a processing fee and the cost of parts.
Disability Resources Regional Resources Directory, District of Columbia
Washington Area Wheelchair Society
The Washington Area Wheelchair Society (912 Thayer Avenue, Silver Spring, MD; Phone: 301-495-0277) accepts durable medical equipment in good shape, such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, stair glides (electric stair elevators), scooters, and other equipment. Even though delivery is requested, it is possible to drop the donation off at a designated location.
Local Red Cross — If you are a Medical professional and willing to help please contact your local American Red Cross office.
Salvation Army donations online and other areas of help.

Contact Information for Blood Donation

The American Red Cross is encouraging people nationwide to donate blood, and to keep blood donation appointments if they already have them. "We will need to replenish our supply in the coming weeks," says Red Cross spokeswoman Dawn Marks. "No matter where you are in the country, you can help by donating." The toll-free number to call is 1-800-GIVE LIFE.

Disaster Assistance

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster — cooperation, communication, coordination, collaboration in disaster response.
Federal Emergency Management Agency — Emergency resources. FEMA does not accept donations, but works closely with volunteer agencies that provide a wide variety of services after emergencies, including childcare, crisis counseling, sheltering and food.

For more information about volunteering, contact the chapter president at

If you are interested in serving the chapter as a volunteer, please fill in the Volunteer Signup form.

Committees • SIGs • Speakers Bureau • Volunteer Openings • Volunteer Signup Form
Community Outreach • Volunteer Policies and Procedures

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