Current Needs

  • Staffing
  • Website Content Editor
  • AV Technician

Getting Involved

We hope you'll become a proud member of the San Diego Watercolor Society, one of the finest and most respected art societies in the entire country.  The secret to our success?  Committed and passionate members who work together to make it all happen.

What is it like to volunteer at SDWS?

Since they’re central to our operation, our member volunteers get a lot of support and recognition at SDWS.  They work alongside others to learn new tasks and for some roles, like staffing the front desk or serving on the Board of Directors, they receive training and a manual to guide them.

As with any organization, the members who contribute to the efforts of the whole get the most out of membership.  The benefits include:

  • Learning to know more about watercolor art
  • Picking up practical hints about framing and entering competitions
  • Meeting talented, inspiring artists and other art lovers
  • Acquiring new skills
  • Making new friends from diverse backgrounds
  • Feeling gratified that you’ve contributed to the art scene in San Diego
  • Being recognized as a dedicated SDWS volunteer at our annual Volunteer Appreciation Event

Volunteer Recognition

Each month SDWS membership celebrates the contributions of nominated volunteers with its Volunteer of the Month Program. All members can participate by completing a Volunteer of the Month Nomination Form and submitting it to an SDWS board member. The SDWS Board has established a committee to review the nominations and select each month's honoree. During the Monthly Members Meeting, the Volunteer of the Month will be presented with a Recognition Certificate and a gift certificate to Artists and Craftsman. Additionally, the honoree will be featured on SDWS.org website as well as have his or her photograph displayed in the SDWS Gallery. The criteria for selection as SDWS Volunteer of the Month is as follows:

  • Current active member of SDWS
  • Outstanding service to SDWS
  • High level of willingness to help other
  • Strong commitment to the mission of SDWS
  • Good relationships with those he/she works with and helps

The value and importance of SDWS Volunteers cannot be overstated. SDWS would simply cease to exist without the hard work and dedication of its volunteer workforce and leadership. Our Volunteer of the Month program allows every SDWS member the opportunity to recognize those that go above and beyond for SDWS.

 


 

Volunteer Descriptions (alphabetical by department)

 

Education / Outreach
  • Education / Outreach Director Oversees the activities of the Education/Outreach team.  Represents the team on the SDWS Board of Directors and submits reports of the teams activities each month.  Helps recruit and train new instructors and aides as needed. Assists the Beginner Workshop Coordinator to coordinate instructors as necessary. Helpful skills for this position are computer literacy, administrative ability, and art education background.  This position is vital to the ongoing success of our Education and Outreach program.
  • Outreach Coordinator Helps develop and collect watercolor lesson plans from our educational instructors, coordinates the site visits with the schools and instructors, maintains records and supplies and attends bi-monthly Education Committee meetings. This is a very rewarding position which allows the volunteer to engage both our youngest and most senior aspiring artists in the community.
  • Education and Outreach Aides Serve as art aide (an extra pair of hands) to SDWS lead teachers for simple watercolor lessons that are taught during site visits to elementary schools, after school programs and senior centers. We make 12 to 14 visits a year for about one to two hours. Volunteer for one or more visits. Times are flexible.  No experience necessary – just enthusiasm for art education. Later, ease into a lead teacher position, if desired.
Executive Board
  • President:  Directs the organization/Board; ensures that SDWS goals are met; provides executive leadership of organization’s business affairs.
  • Vice President:  In charge of programs; assists President as president-elect in overseeing SDWS’ goals; oversees Paint-Outs and Volunteer Manager
  • Secretary:  Records Board meeting minutes; maintains SDWS documents.
  • Treasurer:  Develops balanced budget, monitors progress and prepares quarterly reports, manages investments.
  • Past President/Advisor:  Supports President/Board in meeting SDWS goals; helps maintain ongoing programs and organizational continuity.
Financial Development

As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, the survival of SDWS is dependent on various fund-raising activities throughout the year.  The programs we provide, along with the ability to have a first-class gallery that is open 5 days a week, year-round, are all made possible through the efforts of this creative and energetic team of volunteers. 

  • Development Director:  Writes grants and related reports; directs use of grants awarded; represent SDWS at relevant meetings and at NTC Resident meetings.
  • Grant Writing Team Member Many of our programs at SDWS are made possible through various grants that we receive from governmental and charitable organizations.  We would not be able to continue our operation without these valuable resources, and they are all made possible by a talented and dedicated group of volunteers who write these grant proposals.  If you have experience in this field or enjoy writing or creating proposals, we need you!  Knowledge of SDWS is helpful, but not essential, as other team members have that knowledge. For more information please contact Beverly Tuzin at 858-259-8278 or development@sdws.org. 
  • Fund Development Team Member Requires knowledge or experience in helping with or organizing fund-raising events or activities to help support the mission of SDWS.  Requires creativity and a "can-do" attitude. Works closely with the Financial Development Director.
Gallery
  • Gallery Director Directs gallery operations and maintenance; oversees gallery financial transactions
  • Sales & Staffing Director Ensures gallery is open Thursday – Sunday; recruits, trains, schedules, and oversees gallery staffers; keeps staffing materials current.
  • Gallery Staffing Thanks to our team of volunteers who staff the gallery, we are open to the public each week from Thursday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. except on certain holidays.  Our Gallery "Staffers" serve as SDWS ambassadors to visitors. They open/close the Gallery; greet and assist visitors, collect votes for our monthly People's Choice Award; check in/out books/videos; conduct sales and answer phones.  They also sell paintings!  It's always a thrill when one of our visitors wants to buy a painting, and thanks to our staffers, we are pleased to provide that service. This is a great way to meet other artists, learn about the "inner workings" of SDWS, and help us keep our gallery open.
Hospitality

Join in the activity providing hospitality for SDWS hosted events!  Volunteers can help coordinate the Volunteer Appreciation Event or help to make the International Exhibition Preview in late September of each year spectacular. Whatever the event, this is an excellent way to participate and meet new people. 

  • Hospitality Manager Coordinates events.
  • Hospitality Volunteer Assists at events as needed.
International Exhibition

The annual International Exhibition is on display for the entire month of October, but the work starts in January!  Be involved in one or more of the many volunteer opportunities to put on this wonderful annual show. From the very first planning sessions to the show's final closing logistics, a large number of SDWS volunteers will contribute their skills and efforts to this important annual event for our community. Each year their contributions deliver a truly international art show of the highest quality.

  • International Exhibition Director; liaisons with artists and juror; coordinates related fundraising/special events, hanging, takedown, returning entries.  
  • International Shows Assistant: Assists Director with all processes.
Library

One of the outstanding benefits of being a member of SDWS is access to its spectacular collection of books and video media on all aspects of art. Our collection comprises approximately 2,000 items, many of them written or produced by outstanding artists whose names you will readily recognize. Items in this collection are available to be borrowed by our members, and the organization and shelving is all done by volunteers.  

  • Library Manager Supervises systems for checking in and checking out books, videos and DVDs from the SDWS Library.  Maintains organization of SDWS Library materials. 
  • Library Volunteers Assist Library Manager, as needed. Helpful skills (but not required) include familiarity with the Dewey Decimal System, good organization skills, detail-oriented, basic computer skills.
Marketing

It is important that we communicate with our members, San Diego residents and visitors, and the artist community at-large.  In order to do this, we have a dedicated team of volunteers who work together to keep provide this necessary function.

  • Communications Director Coordinates press releases, juror comments, and manages activities of other communications team members.
  • Newsletter Manager Create and distribute the San Diego Watercolor Society newsletter to members and subscribers.
  • Social Media Manager Manage and monitor content on SDWS Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn.
  • Blog Manager
Membership
  • Membership Director: Processes and maintains membership records on new and renewing members. Helps prepare Membership Directory, sends emails to members for renewing or joining SDWS, calls new members to welcome them and answer questions.
Member Shows

Every month a new Member Show is exhibited in our gallery. Member show volunteers take in the artwork, ensure it conforms to standards, supports the juror(s) in their selection process and hang the selected artwork for the exhibition. The following are some of the tasks and activities Member Shows volunteers perform each month:  

  • Member Shows Director:  Schedules monthly shows; oversee juror, entry and hanging process; ensure gallery standards are maintained.  
  • Entry Day Volunteers (Usually the last Saturday of the month, 9:45 AM - 1 PM or 12:45 PM - 4 PM)
    • Check-In table
    • Computer  - entry of paintings
    • Move paintings
  • Jury Day Volunteers (Usually the Monday following Entry Day)
    • Labels  - Proofread list of entries and prepare the labels for the accepted paintings
    • Move paintings around for juror
    • Mark jury sheet
    • Hang paintings
    • Place labels
Technology

The Technology Team ensures that all SDWS technical services are available, as needed, manage changes to functionality and content, resolve problem reports, provide technical usage support to SDWS departments and interface with technical vendors/service providers.

  • Technology Director Manages Mac and PC usage and troubleshooting at the gallery, responsible for hardware and software installation, gallery Wi-Fi, security camera. Utilizes MS Office, MS Excel, Adobe Photoshop, and Zoom. Responsible for website content management. Assists other SDWS departments to create reports, support marketing efforts, and provide technical expertise.
  • Technology Support Provides technology support for all above functions and supports member shows director for technology related needs.
  • Technology Manager for Member Shows
  • Technology Manger for International Exhibition
  • AV Technician - audio visual equipment for workshops
Volunteer
  • Volunteer Director:  Plans and conducts annual new member events, and plans Volunteer Appreciation Event yearly. Monitors volunteer needs and refers new volunteers to appropriate department. Maintains records of volunteers for recognition including Volunteer of the Month Award. 
Western Fed
  • Western Federation Delegate:  Manages SDWS participation in and attends annual WFW show (held at different venues)
Workshops
  • Workshops Director:  Recruits workshop instructors; schedules, and coordinates workshops.
  • Workshop Registrar:  Registers participants in their chosen workshops.
  • Weekend Workshop Manager: Works with Workshops Director to recruit instructors, schedules and coordinates weekend workshops.