• Involving volunteers adds great value to the AAI vision and mission.
• Engaged volunteers create a wider spectrum of skills and knowledge that benefit our program participants.
• Volunteers allow us to reach a more diverse group of individuals.
• Building community relationships through our volunteer program fosters social inclusion.
• Volunteers help raise community awareness about our cause and profile.
• Our volunteer program creates potential routes to future employment and networking opportunities for the community, staff, and participants.
• Volunteers bring new minds, new ideas, and new approaches to improve what we do everyday.

Just in case you need more convincing, here are a few other great reasons to volunteer.

• To get out of the house.
• Meet new people
• Pursue a new career path
• Have fun
• Fulfill a community service obligation
• To feel needed
• Do something you love
• To help another person
• Support a cause you believe in
• Share your passion
• Do something outside of your normal work
• Explore a new interest

We believe in recognition. Although we know volunteering eliminates the expectation of paid services, AAI acknowledges its volunteers within the organization. Demonstrating that volunteers are appreciated contributes to a meaningful experience, encourages volunteer retention, and, by word of mouth, sends the message to the community that AAI is the place to volunteer!

Past examples of benefits include (but are not limited to):

• Opportunities to include volunteers in staff development training, where appropriate
• Travel perks, when available
• Tickets to events, when available
• Recognition events

Paid staff and volunteers come together at the AeroStar Avion Institute to work toward achieving the mission, goals, and objectives of the organization. Both contribute in significant ways, and volunteers are seen to complement the work done by paid staff. Volunteers do not replace or displace paid positions. We value the experience and insights of both paid and volunteer staff and encourage feedback about our organization, processes, and programs.

Our Commitment to Volunteer Involvement

Volunteers have rights. We recognize that volunteers are a vital human resource and will commit to the appropriate infrastructure to support volunteers.

What we commit to our volunteers:

• AAI’s practices ensure effective volunteer involvement.
• AAI commits to providing a safe and supportive environment for volunteers.

What we expect from our volunteers:

• Volunteers make a commitment and are accountable to the organization and its constituents.
• Volunteers will act with respect towards beneficiaries and the community.
• Volunteers will act responsibly and with integrity.

Ready to volunteer and wondering how you can help? Here’s what you need to know.

Commitment

We ask that each volunteer commits to a minimum of two hours every month.  Additional time may be required as work evolves within the assigned committee.  We find that with as little as 12 hours per year a volunteer can increase the quality of community deliverables.

Areas to Volunteer

We have five committees that volunteer opportunities fall under.  If you are interested in volunteering for future outreaches, please choose an area that you find is most fitting to your skillset.

The Volunteer application and selection process is very detailed. Our screening process helps us  select the most suitable candidates for particular roles and engage them in a way that helps ensure success for the volunteers and the organization. Our onboarding process helps us integrate volunteers into the organization. The screening and onboarding of volunteers is important to the safety of our participants and the integrity of our organization.

A list of steps for becoming a volunteer:

• Volunteer Application form
• Resume
• Volunteer Confidentiality Agreement
• Background checks
• Reference Checks if applicable
• Interviews
• Statement of volunteer services
• Background Check
• Staff Partnership
• Volunteer Service
• Completion and evaluation