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Volunteer Opportunity Descriptions

VolunteersScroll down the page to see all volunteer opportunity descriptions!

To sign up for volunteer opportunities, click here.
 
Graphic designers
Graphic designers are needed to assist The Advocates with developing brochures, promotional materials, event announcements, and other materials. In addition, The Advocates seeks graphic designers who are able to assist with the layout of our publications.
 
Please click here to join our volunteer graphic designer listserv. Notices of volunteer opportunities will be sent out on an as-needed basis.
 
Researchers
Researchers are needed to investigate emerging human rights issues and produce original work with citation to appropriate sources. Volunteer researchers conduct research and writing on a variety of issues, such as women’s human rights, international justice, death penalty, immigration and country conditions.
 
Please click here to join our non-legal volunteer research listserv. Notices of volunteer opportunities will be sent out on an as-needed basis.
 
Volunteer attorneys
            Legal representation: asylum and detention
Lack of experience is not a barrier to providing pro bono representation to asylum seekers. Asylum cases are carefully screened by The Advocates for eligibility for asylum in the U.S. Volunteers are teamed with experienced immigration attorneys and have the support of the staff.  Volunteers are provided with a copy of The Advocates Volunteer Attorney Manual and are encouraged to attend the Annual Asylum Conference.  Practice Alerts keep volunteers updated on changes in law and procedure. If you are interested in representing an asylum seeker, click here to join our volunteer attorney listerv, then join probono.net/asylum and view a list of current asylum cases in need of volunteer attorneys.
 
Attorneys practicing immigration law are urgently needed to serve as mentors to volunteer asylum attorneys and to provide help to clients at walk-in legal clinics and at detained master calendar hearings. If you are interested in volunteering in this capacity, please email Miranda Morgan at [email protected].
 
            Legal research and writing 
Legal researchers are needed to investigate emerging human rights issues and produce original work with citation to appropriate sources. Volunteer lawyers conduct legal research and writing on a variety of issues, such as women’s human rights, international justice, death penalty, immigration and country conditions.
 
Please click here if you are a lawyer and wish to join our volunteer legal researcher listserv. Notices of volunteer opportunities will be sent out on an as-needed basis.
 
Accounting
The Advocates relies on volunteers to help with all aspects of the work in the organization.  Periodically we are in need of accounting assistance and other related duties.  The Volunteer Accounting Assistant helps to create and run financial reports so that all of our programs are managed efficiently.  No accounting experience is necessary, although familiarity with a computer is helpful. 
 
Please click here if you wish to join our volunteer accountant listserv. Notices of volunteer opportunities will be sent out on an as-needed basis.
 
MN State Fair
Every year The Advocates for Human Rights hosts a booth at the Minnesota State Fair. Volunteers help to staff four-hour shifts at the booth. Under the supervision of The Advocates personnel, volunteers at the booth serve as ambassadors for the organization, distribute materials, answer questions, and interact with the public.
 
Please click here if you wish to join our volunteer state fair listserv. More information about volunteering for the Minnesota State Fair will be sent out in July. 
 
International Women’s Day
Our 15th annual International Women's Day Celebration will take place on March 6, 2010.  Our planning begins in September and continues through early March, and we are looking for volunteers to help with a wide variety of event-planning tasks:
  • Overall planning as member of Steering Committee
  • Follow-up contacts with potential workshop presenters and co-sponsoring organizations
  • Food and beverage donations
  • Publicity
  • Mailings
  • Logistics - audio/visual needs for workshops and performances; display tables; food donations, set-up and clean-up
  • Volunteer coordination for the day of the event
  • Registration (and pre-registration)
  • Research on International Women's Day celebrations in other countries
Please click here if you wish to join our International Women's Day volunteer listserv.
 
Photography/Videography
Photographers are needed for various events, such as house parties, fundraisers, trainings, conferences, and other activities. The photographer should have access to an SLR camera and be willing to photoshop images as needed. Volunteer photographers who sign up will receive an email announcing upcoming events and needs.  Photos taken by volunteer photographers become the property of The Advocates for Human Rights.
 
Videographers are needed for various events, as well as for specific project needs that arise. The videographer should have access to video equipment and be willing to edit if needed. Volunteer videographers who sign up will receive an email announcing upcoming events and needs. Videos become the property of The Advocates for Human Rights.
 
Please click here if you would like to join the volunteer photographer/videographer listserv. Notices of volunteer opportunities will be sent out on an as-needed basis.
 
Interpreters
Volunteer interpreters and translators can assist in preparing a client's application for asylum by interpreting at interviews and meetings with the client's attorney and immigration officials or by translating documents for an asylum case. The Advocates keeps a database of volunteer interpreters and translators to call upon as client needs are determined. If you are fluent in English and one or more other languages, and are interested in serving as a volunteer interpreter or translator, join our interpreter database today! Trainings for volunteer interpreters and translators are conducted twice per year. Please fill out our interpreter volunteer interest form if you are interested in volunteering as a translator or interpreter.
 
Administration/Mailings
Throughout the year, The Advocates has various mailing and other administration needs. Handwriting, stuffing and sealing envelopes, photocopying, scanning, filing, database entry, conducting follow-up phone calls, and other tasks are needed on an ongoing basis. Most administrative and mailing tasks are conducted on-site at The Advocates’ office.
 
Please click here to join our volunteer administration/mailings listserv. Notices of volunteer opportunities will be sent out on an as-needed basis.
 
Medical/Psychosocial
A professional evaluation of a client's physical and mental health is often a critical element supporting their asylum claim. Volunteer health professionals can help corroborate a client's claim that he or she was tortured in their country of origin, or that they have a credible fear of being tortured if they return to their country of origin.  By confirming that the client's physical and psychological symptoms are consistent with the type of abuse that the client reports, the volunteer health professional can support the client's credibility. 
 
Licensed doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists who are interested in volunteering to assist low-income asylum clients can click here to join our medical/psychosocial volunteer listserv. The Advocates will then contact you about becoming involved in providing this critical service.
 
Marketing
The Advocates relies on the expertise of professional marketing firms and individuals to improve its messages to advance human rights. Volunteer requests may include projects to market an issue-based message or product (such as reports or curricula); determine audience or focus groups; or assist in writing text for brochures, websites, and other materials.
 
Please click here to join our marketing volunteer listserv. Notices of volunteer opportunities will be sent out on an as-needed basis.
 
Other
If you have a particular skill or are willing to help in a way not listed, please click here to describe your interest. The Advocates has a variety of needs, including hosts for visiting guests, drivers, catering needs, party hosts, auctioneers, marketing, professional development trainings, and many more.