Volunteer Tyler Opportunities Program Updates FAQs Volunteer Resources Calendar Employee Called to SERVE Spirit
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Welcome to Volunteer Tyler!
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Volunteer Tyler offers opportunities for people in and around the City of Tyler who want to use their talents, skills, knowledge, and passions to make Tyler a better place to work, live, raise a family and visit.
Our goal is to create an elite group of volunteers who serve in useful and creative ways throughout the many Departments in the City of Tyler. These volunteers will increase the paid staff’s abilities to better respond to the needs of Tyler’s citizens and visitors.
Volunteer Tyler promises to provide citizens meaningful and worthwhile opportunities to benefit themselves and the city.
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Take a look at the lastest newsletter 
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How do I become a volunteer?
View this informational brochure to learn more
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- Complete an application.
- Adult applicants are screened with a background check and a reference check.
- Attend a volunteer orientation to learn more about Volunteer Tyler and so we can get to know you better.
- The Volunteer Coordinator will then place you in a position of your interest within a City Department or for a special event.
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Download an application and return to the Volunteer Coordinator in the Human Resources Department located at City Hall.
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New Adult Volunteer Application
New Youth Volunteer Application (12-17)
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For more information or if you have any questions email us! City Email
When we work together for a better community, everyone benefits!
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CITY HALL:
FRONT DESK RECEPTIONIST – 1 Position Open
Monday – Friday, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. each day
City Hall is in need of a volunteer to answer the phone at the main reception desk and greet City employees and visitors that come into the building. Must have excellent customer service, phone etiquette, and the desire to help the public and City employees. Experience answering a multiline phone system and knowledge of the City of Tyler and its departments is a plus.
CITY HALL SPECIAL PROJECTS – Multiple Positions
As needed; days and times will vary.
Volunteers will assist the Departments based at City Hall (including Human Resources, Legal, Communications, IT, City U, and Finance) with filing, putting together marketing materials, preparing for special events, and miscellaneous clerical duties on an as needed basis.
PARKS AND RECREATION:
AFTER SCHOOL TUTOR & AIDES - 10 Positions Open
Monday - Friday 1 hour each day. Hours 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Parks is seeking volunteers with a background in education and the ability to work well with children. This position will require assisting students grades K - 8 with math and/or reading.
SPECIAL EVENTS ASSISTANTS - 2 Positions Open
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays 3 to 4 hours depending on the event - hours vary but flexible.
Parks need volunteers to help setup for events, serve refreshments. One-time, Short-term or Ongoing opportunities.
CLERICAL ASSISTANCE - 2 Positions Open
Monday - Friday 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Flexible hours (1 to 40 hours a week).
Glass Center needs volunteers that can help with office clerical work, answering phones and greeting visitors.
SENIOR CENTER MAINTENANCE - 1 Position
One to two days a week. Flexible hours
Senior Center needs a volunteer to help with general facility upkeep and cleaning. Including: painting, cleaning after events, setup and take down of decorations, and organization of storage.
GOODMAN MUSEUM WELCOME CENTER- 1 Position
Tuesday-Thursday and some Saturdays. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The Goodman Museum is in need of a volunteer to assist in greeting and signing in visitors and answering the phone at the welcome center. Volunteer also will help with light cleaning of the heirloom displays and the facility. Must be great with people, have a desire to learn the history of the house, and knowledge of the Tyler area is a plus.
GOODMAN MUSEUM SPECIAL PROJECTS- 1 Position
Monday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The Goodman Museum is in need of a volunteer to create a digital inventory of the museum’s heirlooms and artifacts and to assist with special projects to create new displays. Volunteer may also help with light cleaning of the heirloom displays and the facility. Must be detail oriented, able to work a digital camera and have basic computer skills, and be able to handle the museum’s belongings with care.
TYLER PUBLIC LIBRARY:
BOOK BUDDY PROGRAM - 2 Positions Open
Once a week for 1 - 2 hours, hours are flexible.
The Library’s Book Buddy after-school program is seeking volunteers with a passion for reading and the ability to work well with children. The Book Buddy will lead story-time using materials provided by the library, such as books, puppets, coloring sheets and reading enhancements.
SPECIAL EVENTS ASSISTANTS - 1 Position Open
As needed; days and times will vary.
This person must possess strong interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to work well with the public and children, as well as the ability to work independently or as part of a team. Job duties may include: set-up/decoration of rooms, assisting with crafts, greeting guests, taking and distributing photos.
Tyler Public Library
DRIVERS - 1 Position Open
Wednesday and Thursday Mornings
The Tyler PD needs a person that can drive Patrol cars and other PD vehicles that need to go to the barn or to repair shops around the city.
DATA MANAGEMENT- Multiple Positions Open
Once a week for 2+ hours
Assist data management with filing, purging, updating case files, copying, and shredding police records. Must be detailed oriented, able to accurately file in numeric order, and stand for 2+ hours. Occasional heavy lifting may be required.
ACCESSIBLE PARKING ENFORCEMENT – Multiple Positions Open
Schedule varies, minimum four hours per month
Volunteer will assume responsibility of issuing citations to violators of accessible parking spaces, in accordance with the City of Tyler Code of Ordinances set forth by the Americans With Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines, take photographs of the vehicles, and testify in court when necessary.
CITIZENS ON PATROL – Multiple Positions Open
Schedule varies
The Citizens On Patrol program recruits volunteers interested in actively patrolling their own neighborhoods for the purpose of observing and reporting suspicious, criminal or potentially dangerous activity. Volunteers provide information to aid the Police Department’s law enforcement efforts and increase communication between citizens of Tyler and the Police Department.
MUNICIPAL COURT
CLERICAL POSITION – 1 Position Open
Wednesday, anytime between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The volunteer will assist the Municipal court with varies duties such as filling, processing, and updating paperwork and files. Must be able to read and write and file alphabetically.
VEHICLE SERVICES
DRIVER AND PARTS RUNNER - 1 Position
Open Monday - Friday, up to 8 hours per week
The Vehicle Services Department is in need of an inventory delivery driver/parts runner. This individual will help with inventory audits, filing, and picking up and delivering vehicles and parts.
TYLER POUNDS AIRPORT
TOUR GUIDE - 1 Position
As needed, days and times with vary.
A volunteer is needed to lead youth tour groups throughout the airport. Must have knowledge of the airport, be able to recite historical information about the facility, and be able to work well with children. Will also be responsible for putting together the goodie bags for each tour.
TRAFFIC ENGINEERING
PAINTER - Multiple Positions Open
Saturday Mornings for 4 - 6 hours
The Traffic department needs volunteers to prepare and paint parking meter posts using a scraper and paint brush. Must have general knowledge of painting and be able to bend over for at least five minutes at a time.
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2012 Volunteer of the Year Mrs. Edith Geske has volunteered at the Tyler Police Department for the last five years and has worked more than 630 hours in Data Management.
Mrs. Geske is a joy to talk to and to be around. Her uplifting spirit is an inspiration to those around her. Her supervisor, Juanita McCoy, states, “Mrs. Geske is a faithful volunteer who knows her job and does it well.” Mrs. Edith as we all call her is very pleasant to work with. She willingly accepts all duties assigned to her without any hesitation and with great enthusiasm. She has come in to volunteer her services right after she has had surgery or has experienced an illness. She definitely has perseverance and does NOT like to give up.
Mrs. Edith is 91 years old and says that she loves coming to work because she loves people, everyone is so nice, and it makes her feel great! She loves to get out of the house and feels that she still has much to contribute to others. She has been a School Teacher, Pastor’s Wife, Dental Assistant, Mother, Beauty Operator, Secretary, and Insurance Check Writer. Ms. Edith is a cancer survivor and was told she several times that she would not live past 35 years old, but she is a fighter and doesn’t give up easily (there’s that perseverance again)
Her duties in Data Management include putting files in order, purging old files, locating files for investigators and making copies for the Investigators. She has been doing a lot of shredding lately due to a lack of volunteers. She puts together driving under the influence packets for the officers to use. She works on special projects as needed and does an excellent job in all she does. She does everything right the first time.
Mrs. Edith is lovingly known as “Machine Gun Edith,” a nickname she inherited when she attended the Citizen’s Police Academy several years ago. During the course, Ms. Edith learned to shoot a machine gun, and she hit her mark perfectly not once, but several times. The Chief of Police has often told his new recruits, “If we can teach Edith to shoot a machine gun, we can teach you rookies!”
Mrs. Edith feels that if all older people would contribute to their community doing what they are able to do, for as long as they are able to, there would be less people in Nursing homes. She always says just because someone is old doesn’t mean they are stupid. They have a lot of wisdom to impart to others and can do a lot of good if they are only given the chance.
She feels that if God leaves you here, then He still has a job for you to do. She says that she would like to volunteer till she is 100! Then she will think about retiring. Spending just a few minutes with this incredible woman will give you the motivation to do anything in this lifetime, and gives true meaning to the phrase “you’re only as old as you feel.” We hope that her enthusiasm and spirit will encourage others to volunteer for our City.
Shining Stars of the Month
March 2012: Bill Somogyi
Bill Somogyi is one of the many dedicated and genuine volunteers at the Tyler Public Library. His passion for libraries runs deep, having been a member of “Friends of the Library” in Sonoma, CA, volunteered at the library in Port Angeles, WA and now volunteers 3 days a week for the City of Tyler.
“Bill is a wonderful volunteer for the library. He is very dependable, honest, and kind. Bill volunteers on average 12 hours per week reshelving library books. Due to his assistance, the library is able to make materials more readily available for the public to check out again,” said Malissia Meador, Library Circulation Supervisor.
Mr. Somogyi believes the library is a blessing for the tremendous free resources it provides to the public. He loves being surround by books, discovering new authors and enjoys working with the helpful library staff.
Mr. Somogyi has had many adventures, having traveled throughout the U.S. and internationally while he worked with Bell & Howell. He also become an amateur photographer and a marathon runner. Although he jokes that the years have caught up to him, he still stays very active taking long walks throughout the City and helping his daughter around the house.
Next time you are visiting the library, take a moment to say hello to Mr. Somogyi and ask him for a good book recommendation. Thank you Mr. Somogyi for the 310 hours of service you have provided to the Tyler Public Library this year!
February 2012: Katherine Nick
Katherine Nick, a U.S. Air Force Veteran and retired state government employee, began volunteering with the City of Tyler in 2011. She was intrigued by the opportunity to volunteer with the Tyler Police Department due to her military experience and saw it as a great way to make a meaningful impact on her community.
Ms. Nick assists the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) unit in purging old case files that can no longer be prosecuted. Nick says, “I really enjoy going through files and reading cases that are to be destroyed and checking the negatives for pictures of police officers or situations that can be archived for future use”.
These crime scene photographs she’s exposed to can often times be graphic in nature, yet she says this doesn’t bother her and only adds to her interest in the CSI process.
Even though the processing of evidence is left to the experts, she has found it fascinating to ask questions about the methods they use and to see how a real CSI forensic team differs from those that are portrayed on popular television shows.
Her Volunteer Liaison, Sergeant Jeff Rackliff, says, “She is very engaging, personable, and a great person. She is very thorough and helps the unit accomplish assignments that are necessary to be done but that we don’t always have the time to complete”.
Thank you Katherine Nick for your dedication to the City of Tyler!
December 2011:Leonard Leifer
This month’s Shining Star is Leonard Leifer. Mr. Leifer began volunteering for the Tyler Police Department in 2010, working 8 to 20 hours per month with the Vehicle Maintenance Division. He aids the staff by shuttling vehicles to and from maintenance facilities around the City.
His volunteer liaison, Elton Anderson, cannot say enough about how much his help means to him. “When my part time employee was out on medical leave, Leonard checked in or stopped by every day to offer his assistance,” said Anderson.
Although he enjoys working around patrol cars, Leifer’s favorite activities to
volunteer for are the Tyler Police Department’s special events. He takes pleasure in assisting the public and interacting with the community. This summer he had a great time volunteering at the Bicycle Safety Rodeo, where he assisted officers in performing bicycle check ups and educating children aged 4 to 13 on bicycle safety and etiquette tips.
Mr. Leifer is an example of a dedicated volunteer going above and beyond what has been asked of him. Thank you Leonard Leifer, The City of Tyler truly appreciates the time and service you provide to the City and to our community!
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Semi-Annual Report
Volunteer Tyler is off to a great start. Stay tuned for the 2011-2012 report!
To view a copy of the 2009-2010 Semi-Annual Progress Report click on this link: REPORT
Newly Staffed Departments
- Communication
- Main Street Gallery
- Senior Center
- GIS
- Vehicle Services
New Volunteers
- Chassity Powell
- Leonard Stigall
- Cheri Blue
- Daniel Cebula
- P. Gail Eubank
- Atherine Jones
- Judy Kovic
- Fenton Kovic
Reengaged Volunteers
- Curtis Birtcher
- Robert Hughes
- Allen Frazier
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October 2011: Edith Geske
This month’s Shining Star is Mrs. Edith Geske. She is an amazing 90-year-old lady! She has faithfully volunteered one day a week for the past four years, working in Data Management at the Tyler Police Department, volunteering between four and eight hours each week. When asked what her favorite part of volunteering was, Mrs. Geske replied, “I love people. Everyone is so nice, and it makes me feel great!”
Her job duties include purging old files, locating files for investigators and making copies for the District Attorney’s Office. Ms. Geske stated that she has been spending a lot of time shredding lately due to a lack of volunteers. Mrs. Geske is a joy to talk to and to be around. Her uplifting spirit is an inspiration to those around her.
Her supervisor, Juanita McCoy, states, “Mrs. Geske is a faithful volunteer who knows her job and does it well.” Ms. McCoy also advised that Mrs. Geske is lovingly known as “Machine Gun Edith,” a nickname she inherited when she attended the Citizen’s Police Academy four years ago. During the course, Mrs. Geske learned to shoot a machine gun, and she hit her mark perfectly not once, but several times.
Spending just a few minutes with this incredible woman will give you the motivation to do anything in this lifetime, and gives true meaning to the phrase “you’re only as old as you feel.” Congratulations, Edith Geske, on this achievement. May you always be a Shining Star. |
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Volunteer Services Ph: (903) 531-1100
212 N. Bonner Ave Fax: (903) 531-1248
Tyler, Texas 75702 City Email
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The City of Tyler will Spring into the new quarter with the launch the employee volunteer program, “Employee Called to Serve Spirit”. This program’s initiative is to recognize those that truly embody the “Called to Serve Spirit” by giving back to our community not only as City employees but also as everyday citizens. This is a voluntary program and will be administered by Volunteer Services in the Human Resources Department.
We know many employees devote numerous hours to benefit community activities, non-profits and charities in East Texas and we want to recognize you! We are asking you to submit timesheets recording your volunteer activities on a regular basis to Volunteer Services. You will receive an “Employee Called to Serve Spirit” t-shirt upon initial participation and every additional submission of your timesheet will enter you into the quarterly drawing for a fantastic prize!
For those that wish to become more involved, we are providing a resource guide on volunteer opportunities in the area. You can also search for other volunteer organizations at http://getconnected.uwtyler.org/. |
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