Volunteer at ideastream

Volunteer Testimonials

About Volunteering at ideastream

Volunteers are the backbone of many ideastream projects and fundraising activities. Volunteer opportunities exist for 90.3 WCPN, WCLV 104.9 and WVIZ/PBS, Cleveland’s public radio and television stations.

Groups of volunteers earn on-air promotion by helping with Pledge Drives and the WVIZ/PBS Auction.

Individual volunteer help is needed with Pledge Drives, the WVIZ/PBS Auction, special events and to perform clerical duties in various departments.

For further information on any of the above topics or to become a volunteer, please contact the station’s Volunteer Coordinator by phone at 216-916-6100 or by sending an email.

Pledge Drives

WVIZ/PBS, 90.3 WCPN and WCLV 104.9 conduct pledge drives several times each year. Volunteers are needed to answer telephones and take pledges for these events.

Groups of 10-12 volunteers are needed to help with pledge drives on WVIZ/PBS. Groups of 6-8 volunteers are needed to help with pledge drives on 90.3 WCPN and WCLV 104.9.

All volunteers are thanked verbally on the air. Organizations providing the minimum number of volunteers needed will receive additional on-air promotion.

Morning, day, evening and weekend hours are available. Training is provided at the start of each shift.

Parking is free for our volunteers and refreshments are always provided!

View available volunteering opportunities now!

Clerical Work

Clerical help is needed at ideastream doing such things as taking phone calls, filing, and doing data entry. Volunteers are requested on a project-by-project need basis, usually during daytime hours.

Special Events

Throughout the year, both WVIZ/PBS and 90.3 WCPN may participate in or conduct special events in the community. Volunteers are always needed at these events doing various tasks. Volunteers are requested on a project-by-project need basis.

WVIZ/PBS Televised Auction

The 2013 WVIZ/PBS Televised Auction is April 25-28, 2013.

Auction is a fun and exciting fundraiser! The annual WVIZ/PBS Televised Auction happens every spring. Volunteers are needed to help in every aspect of these functions.

Please read the job descriptions below to discover which job you would enjoy doing!

Pre-Auction Volunteer Positions

Prior to the Auction, volunteers are needed months in advance to prepare for the event.

Go Getters: Reach out to businesses and individuals to donate items to the Auction. For everything you need to know about Go-Getting, click here.
Warehouse: Copy writing, stocking and tracking items, completing and filing paperwork.
Data Entry: Enter donor/buyer/item info. Database experience preferred.

Auction Days Volunteer Positions

If you are interested in volunteering during the Auction broadcast, listed below are the positions and their description. It’s fun and a great way to meet people. Join us!

Bid Taker: Answer the phone, take bids.
Bid Runner: Carry bids from the phone area to the tables (on your feet). Assists in food service.
Food Service: Pour drinks, hand out sandwiches, etc.
Confirmation: Call high bidders and arrange for them to pick up their item. A behind-the-scenes job.
Sold Warehouse: Remove sold items from studio, check paperwork, stock items in sold warehouse. Must be able to lift 30 lbs.
Table Captain/Assistant: Organize tables, assist auctioneers, and organize incoming bids. A job for experienced auction volunteers who are detail and team oriented.
Table Loader: Pull items from warehouse and arrange tables, check paperwork, and move tables into the studio. Must be able to lift 30 lbs.
Board Marker: Write incoming bids on the blackboard. Must be 5’7” and have good printing.
Board Writer: Update the boards either with chalk or dry erase marker. A behind-the-scenes job. Legible printing is required!
E-Board Marker: Key incoming bids using a laptop computer, updating internet. Requires accuracy.
E-Board Writer: Copy chalkboards by keying on laptop computer, creating internet boards. Requires accuracy. A behind-the-scenes job.
Cash-n-Carry: Run cash register/credit cards, file paperwork for sold auction items. Must be detail oriented! (This job has different shift hours, see the sign-up form for the schedule.)
Data Entry: Enter donor/buyer/item info. Database experience preferred.

As an Auction Weekend Volunteer:

Snacks (or a meal) will be provided.
Afternoon, evening and weekend hours are available.
Parking is available free of charge to our volunteers.

Attire:

Smile, you’re going to be on TV. And we want you and the Auction to look great!
Board Markers and Table Workers: Business Casual (Sponsor or Auction T-shirts okay)
All other positions: No tank tops, shorts or ripped jeans.

For further information on any of the above topics or to become a volunteer, please contact the station’s Volunteer Coordinator at 216-916-6100 or by email.

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