Volunteer Programs is located in City Hall, 701 E. Broadway, fifth floor, in Community Development. We can be reached at 874-7499 or Volunteer@CoMo.gov.

Do you enjoy fun, rewarding and new experiences? Then Volunteer Columbia has just the opportunity for you!

Here’s how you can volunteer! APPLY HERE

Volunteer Information Center – SELF SCHEDULE AND LOG HOURS HERE

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Total Solar Eclipse–On August 21, 2017 we ​will see the first total solar eclipse over the continental United States since 1979, and Columbia, Missouri will be right in the middle of the action!  We are looking for volunteers to help support the festivities for this once-in-a-lifetime event! Volunteers are needed to assist on Sunday, August 20 and Monday, August 21 in positions including: staffing the information tents, assisting parking/traffic direction, etc.  Shifts are generally between three and four hours in length throughout both days.  Most positions will be assigned to Cosmo Park and we will need volunteers at Gans Creek Recreation Area as well.  Below is our list of our current volunteer needs: 

Sunday, August 20

  • Volunteer Security-Shifts include:  6:45-10 p.m. – Volunteers will assist the Security Team.
  • Parking/Traffic Barricade- Shifts include:  6:45-10 p.m.-Volunteers will help with parking and traffic direction at Cosmo Park.
  • Trash/Recycling/Grounds-Shifts include: 7-11 p.m. -Volunteers will ensure event participants use the proper receptacles for landfill items and recyclables.  

Monday, August 21

  • Information Tent-from 11:30 a.m-3 p.m. -Volunteers will be placed at an information tent and will be responsible for handing out festival guides, glasses and answering general event questions. 
  • Volunteer Relief-from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.-This position will help make sure all volunteers are hydrated, will make several trips to check in on volunteers, relieve them for restroom breaks, etc
  • Volunteer Security-Shifts include: 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.-Volunteers will assist the Security Team.
  • General Volunteer at Cosmo Park and Gans Creek Recreation Area-Shifts include: 7:30-10 a.m., 10a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 12:30-3 p.m.  
  • Parking shifts include: 10:45 a.m.-3 p.m. and we will need volunteers for the entire shift from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (note: there will be a large break in between for the all-day shift so volunteers can enjoy the festival!) –Volunteers will help with parking and traffic direction at Cosmo Park.
  • Trash/Recycling/Grounds-from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. –Volunteers will ensure event participants use the proper receptacles for landfill items and recyclables.  
  • Shuttle Stop at the Columbia Mall & Parks Management Center-Shifts include:  10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 12:30-2:30 p.m. and 2:30-4:30 p.m. 
  • Festival Setup at Cosmo Park – from 6-8 a.m. 
  • Festival Setup at Gans Creek Recreation Area-from 8-10 a.m. 
  • Children’s Activity Area at Cosmo Park– 10:45 a.m.-1 p.m.- Volunteers will work with Park and Rec staff to manage the children’s crafts and games area.
This is a great opportunity for individuals,youth volunteers,  groups, families, etc.  Join us to make this once-in-a lifetime event a lasting memory for our community!  To sign up, contact us at  volunteer@CoMo.gov or 874-7499. 
Do you enjoy helping out at our Special Events and Festivals?  We are looking for volunteers to join our Special Event team and agree to provide support for our many special events!  Team members agree to help with three events during the calendar year.  In exchange, we will provide you with a special t-shirt to wear during events and other perks and recognition along the way!  Join the team!

 

Special Olympics is looking for volunteers to help with sports in the new year:

If you are looking for an exceptional volunteer experience, please contact Jessica Sida. Volunteers must commit to the entire season and have a Class A Application on file.  Learn more about Special Olympics by taking a look at their August Newsletter!

Household Hazardous Waste Collection –Saturday, August 19. Volunteers are needed to assist with traffic and direction and paint sorting. Shifts are available 8:00am-10:00am and 10:00am-12:00 p.m.  Household Hazardous Waste is located at 1313 Lakeview. This is an ongoing opportunity the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month April through November. Self schedule or contact Jody Cook for more information. 

Kaleidospoke– Flat Branch Park, 101 S 4th St– Kaleidospoke is a non-competitive, family friendly, organized night time GLOW bike ride along Columbia’s MKT Trail (with illuminated bridges!)  from Flat Branch Park to Twin Lakes Recreation Area and back (just under 4 miles each way, approximately 8 miles round trip).  We are looking for volunteers to help with registration (6:30-8 p.m.), Course Support (7-10:30 p.m.) on Saturday, August 19. 

Neighborhood Park Fun Day at Mckee St Park, 1900 McKee St–Calling all families! Set aside an evening for fun and get to know your neighbors. Variety of activities and games provided.  We are looking for volunteers to help with setup/cleanup and supervise the kid’s games and craft areas from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, August 30.   The next Neighborhood Park Fun Day will be at Worley Street Park, 503 W Worley St  on Wednesday, September 13. 

Crawdad’s Stream Team– Saturday, September 9-   Columbia Crawdads are volunteers who care about our environment by picking up litter. Crawdads events are scheduled the 2nd Saturday morning of each month. The next cleanup will be on Saturday, September 9.  Location and time TBD. 

Join the City to beautify its trails with an Adopt-A-Trail partnership. This program is designed for volunteers to help maintain sections of the Columbia Trail System.  Your family, business, faith community or civic organization can partner with the City to continue to beautify our City through its trails.   The first public training session will be held on Saturday,  September 9 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Parks Management Center, located at 1507 Business Loop 70 West.   To register, contact us at volunteer@CoMo.gov or 874-7499. 

Saturday, September 16 & Sunday, September 17– –Visitors will be taken back to the traditions of the past. Listen, learn, and see history as it comes alive. See artisans and tradesmen dressed in 19th century attire demonstrating their trades and selling their wares. Join us for the annual  Heritage Festival at Nifong Park.   Volunteers are needed to assist with parking/traffic direction from 9:15 a.m.-12 p.m. and 12-3 p.m. as well as supporting the children’s activity area from 9:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 12:15-3 p.m. and 2:45-5:15 p.m.  This is a great opportunity for volunteers of all ages, groups and families.  

Recycling Ambassadors Training– Tuesday, September 19th,  6:00pm-8:00pm at the ARC.  The Recycling Ambassadors program trains volunteers on the City of Columbia’s Recycling Programs. The trained volunteers help to educate the community to increase our recycling rate and reduce waste. Opportunities include staffing tables at festivals, giving presentations, conducting community outreach projects and assisting with waste audits and education events. The next training is Tuesday, Sept 19, 6:00pm-8:00pm at the ARC. The registration form can be found here.

Family Fun Fest at Cosmo Park, 1615 Business Loop 70 W near the Steinberg playground. Volunteers are needed to assist with inflatables and other kids areas from 5:45-8:15 p.m. on Wednesday, September 20. Future Family Fun Fests will be held the third Wednesday of each month! 

Do you like running? Come run with some kids through the Blue Thunder Cross Country Team!  Parks and Rec is looking for assistant coaches who have a passion for running and working with youth.   The assistant coach will have a chance to coach, guide and instruct the young men and women in their continuous pursuit of mastering their craft.  Season starts on August 29 and runs until mid-November  Practices are usually on Tuesdays/Thursdays from 6-7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10-11 a.m.  Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, complete a background screening and commit to an entire season. 

The Health Support Group is a brand new program looking for volunteer group leaders. Volunteers must be 21 years old and older, energetic, consistent, caring and have a passion for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  Sessions will be held the first and second Tuesday of each month from 6-7 p.m. at the Armory, 701 E. Ash Street beginning August. For more information, contact Camren Cross.

Litter Pick Up Leaders help us engage  other volunteers in caring for our environment!   Tasks include bringing supplies (provided by the City), checking in volunteers, providing basic instructions, and helping them have a great cleanup!  

Park Pacers is a brand new program with Parks and Rec!  We are looking for volunteers with a good energy and can work well with others to serve as leaders of this new walking group program.   The group will meet from 6-7 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of the month at Indian Hills Park, 5009 Aztec Blvd, and on the second and fourth Thursdays at Auburn Hills Park, 5101 Derby Ridge Dr.  If you are interested in becoming a group leader, please contact Caleb Floyd.

Columbia Parks & Recreation Community Recreation Program has several volunteer opportunities including: 

Share YOUR special skill through Community Recreation! If you have a talent or passion that you’d like to share with kids, teens, adults or seniors/boomers but don’t see it listed here, let us know! Contact us to share your idea.

Getabout Columbia a project of Columbia Parks & Recreation has opportunities for Trail Ride Leaders and Education Campaign Assistants. Read more!

The City’s Volunteer Program and the Public Works Stormwater Education Program are partnering on a volunteer program to allow residents to adopt a rain garden

Graffiti Removal: Neighborhoods and individuals are invited to adopt public areas that are frequently tagged with graffiti.

Opportunity in Cultural Affairs:  Help us measure the impact of the arts by serving as a Survey Collector for our Arts & Economic Prosperity Study.  There will be opportunities throughout the year.  Read the position description. To learn more, contact Sarah Dresser in the Office of Cultural Affairs. 

Student/Internship projects: We have a variety of semester (or longer!) projects ideal for students including sidewalk snow removal and recycling education. Contact us to learn more!

Board & Commission Openings – There are many great ways to serve our City!   

Office of Neighborhood Services

View our Event Calendar to see the many opportunities for volunteers.

Complete a volunteer application, you can fill it out online, or print out and mail it to us. Our address is Volunteer Programs, City of Columbia, P.O. Box 6015, Columbia, MO 65205.

Office Location Information:
We are located at 701 E. Broadway, in City Hall. We are part of the Office of Neighborhood Services, in the Community Development Department. Our office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Because we have a small staff we recommend calling before you make a trip to our office. We look forward to your visit!

Volunteer Guide for new and existing volunteers

What is Volunteer Columbia?

Volunteer Columbia connects citizens who want to serve with city staff and departments who have opportunities to help! The mission of the City’s Volunteer Programs is to provide valuable opportunities to build community while volunteering in city government.

Why Volunteer?

As a volunteer, you become a partner with Volunteer Columbia to implement programs that benefit you, your neighbor and the community as a whole! At the same time you can meet new people, explore new careers, stay active after retirement, or spend quality time with your family. Best yet — you’re helping others and making a difference in your community.

The City offers innovative volunteer opportunities that foster personal growth, development and satisfaction. The City will work to find a volunteer assignment that will fit both the talents and the time you want to share.

If you are interested in other volunteer opportunities with the city, e-mail us at Volunteer@CoMo.gov or call 874-7499. Volunteer opportunities exist in every department and together we’ll find the right one for you.

View Budget Information for this Department.

Volunteer Columbia! 

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City of Columbia

Community Development Department

Office of Neighborhood Services ~ Volunteer Programs

P.O. Box 6015

701 E. Broadway – 5th floor

Columbia, MO  65205
(573) 874-7499

Volunteer@CoMo.gov

8-18-17