Give the gift of your time – become a Morikami volunteer!
Morikami volunteers fill a variety of positions on a weekly basis as well as museum events. Positions require the ability to communicate well and interact easily with people, and the desire to work in accordance with the mission statement of Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens. Training and a volunteer orientation are required for most positions.
“Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer.” ~Author Unknown
Weekly Volunteers
Available Positions:
- Lobby Greeter: This position provides a warm and friendly welcome to the museum, and explains the Visitor’s Guide, mobile tour, locations, and hours of operation for museum amenities.
- Museum Store Greeter: Volunteers will welcome visitors once they enter the store and assist in finding and/or choosing items to purchase. This may include: assisting in showing jewelry (behind locked case), pulling backstock from the stockroom for customers (where applicable), and filling in the floor as necessary. Become conversant on iconic Japanese items we sell (we will provide information for that). You must be able to bend, climb a ladder, when necessary, and assist in ticketing merchandise as needed or requested.
- Admissions Assistant: Assist admissions with the placement of wristbands on incoming visitors and give basic visitor information.
- Yamato-Kan Greeter: This position provides a warm and friendly welcome to the original museum, and helps introduce visitors to the new exhibits and the upgraded building. Basic knowledge of the visitor’s guide and the Yamato Colony history will be necessary. Training will be provided.
- Membership Assistant: You will work with our weekend membership associate to assist with membership check-in, and wristbands, and acquire general knowledge regarding our record-keeping procedures. This position works on Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
- Docent: A docent is a knowledgeable guide who leads visitors throughout Morikami Museum. Tasks include: providing historical background about the museum and gardens, as well as answering questions about the museum and delivering commentary on the exhibitions and gardens. Docents work as a team and learn through self-study and mentoring about Japanese culture and museum exhibits from Morikami staff. Attendance at monthly meetings as well as the ability to stand for long periods and walk the gardens are required.
- Bonsai: Help preserve and protect our bonsai collection. This position requires the ability to work outside year-round and a willingness to assist the instructor with a variety of tasks involved with the overall care of the collection. This shift is every Friday morning from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Qualifications And Commitment For All Volunteer Positions:
- Comfortability and flexibility to interact and engage with the public both independently and within a team environment.
- Ability to communicate with diplomacy and efficiency while informing guests about museum and gallery policies.
- Aptitude to remain calm, focused, and attentive to visitor needs.
- Willingness and ability to work for 3.5 hours for one day per week.
- Ability to sit and or stand for 3.5 hours at a time.
- Acquire basic knowledge of museum policies, safety guidelines, amenities, and spaces.
Summer Tour Plus
A Volunteer Opportunity for Teens:
Summer Tour Plus (STP) is a program presented by Morikami Museum for children’s groups and summer camps. This summer program will consist of a presentation on the new exhibit and two hands-on projects. College-age and High school student volunteers are requested and must be at least 15 years old to apply for STP positions. Volunteers will assist the instructor with the preparation of materials and work with the children as needed. Students must be available for a minimum of two (2) days a week, but may volunteer up to four (4) days each week. There is a mandatory orientation for all volunteers held at the Morikami Museum. Volunteers must be interviewed in order to participate in this program.
Summer Tour Plus runs from June – August each year. Tuesdays – Fridays, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm