VOLUNTEER
Want to Get More Involved in DCBS?
Annual Call for Nominations to the DC Blues Society Board of Directors
The DC Blues Society (DCBS) is seeking to appoint new members to its Board of Directors. A background in the music field is not required, only an interest in Blues and a desire to help the Society. DCBS is a small nonprofit organization. Board members typically lead a DCBS function and/or committee, attend monthly Board meetings (usually the 1st Thursday of the month in Silver Spring), participate in DCBS events and activities, and reach out to the community for ways to spread the Blues and encourage new member enrollment. Each Board member is a “blues ambassador” and fundraiser for the Blues and DCBS. Specific Board member duties and responsibilities will be discussed and determined before candidates are selected.
To be considered for a Board Member appointment, please compile a short letter of interest, including your relevant skills and experience and why you want to help lead DCBS. Letters of interest should be sent by email to John Neumann, DCBS President, at president@dcblues.org by Friday, Nov. 29 to be reviewed at the December DCBS Board meeting. At this time, DCBS is especially interested in members with experience in:
- non-profit fundraising,
- bookkeeping / accounting
- using different social media outlets
We are also seeking Board members from the Northern Virginia area, who could help assure that DCBS programs also support the interests of blues musicians and fans in that area of the DMV.
Also, there is a need for a Board member or key volunteer to take the lead in coordinating volunteers and in re-establishing a DCBS “Blues in the Schools” Program.
If you would like to discuss Board members’ responsibilities before applying, contact John Neumann by email. Get Involved — Your Support Matters!
The D.C. Blues Society is an all-volunteer organization. We need you to help grow the vibrant Blues scene here in the Nation's Capital. By lending a hand at the DCBS functions, you can help make more of an impact. The DC Blues Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that depends on grants, contributions, and volunteers to operate. Board members are also volunteers and do not receive compensation for their service.
We need volunteers for these on an ongoing basis:
Board Members Needed
The Society is looking for members to serve on its Board of Directors. A background in the music field is definitely not a requirement, only an interest in Blues and a desire to help the Society.
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General expectations for board members include leading a DCBS committee, participating in DCBS events and activities, and reaching out to the community for ways to spread the Blues and to encourage new member enrollment. Every board member is an ambassador and fundraiser for the Blues and DCBS. Specific board member duties and responsibilities will be discussed and determined after candidates have been selected.
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Volunteer Committee Members Needed:
If you have an interest in working with any of our committees, which carry on the work of DCBS, please contact us. You can review the functions of each committee below. Your expertise and willingness to commit your time to the Blues helps DCBS keep the Blues alive!
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Please send a short (less than one page) letter of interest describing your background and abilities, why you want to help lead the DCBS, and on which committee(s) you would be most valuable.
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Please send your letter of interest to:
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D.C. Blues Society
5335 Wisconsin Ave, NW
Suite 440
Washington, DC 20015-2052
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or Email: secretary@dcblues.org
Fundraising Committee
Identify sources of long-term and short-term funding for DCBS operations, programs, and special events. Funding sources include regional and national organization grants, personal and corporate donations, and in-kind contributions. Establish policies and procedures, and coordinate annual fundraising strategy. Create activities, events, and partnerships that promote the Society's mission and raise funds to continue our efforts.
Marketing Committee
Establish policies and procedures and execute strategies to maximize the value and exposure of the DCBS "brand" to enhance participation in fundraising activities. Forge mutually beneficial relationships between DCBS and its members and potential members, corporations, musicians, government funding agencies, and other non-profits. Design an annual marketing plan. Develop marketing materials to promote the use of the DCBS logo through licensing arrangements and to promote fundraising initiatives. Coordinate and increase advertisements placed in the DCBS newsletter, website, and other media outlets.
Merchandising Subcommittee
Identify, order, price, and control inventory of suitable merchandise bearing the DCBS logo or proprietary images. Discover new markets and products to better serve our members and Blues fans in general through Blues merchandising. Identify and coordinate merchandise display venues, sales, and maintain records.
Publicity & Promotions Subcommittee
Establish policies, procedures, and strategies to advance awareness of the society in general and specifically promote all DCBS events. Cultivate relationships with media representatives and create promotional materials. Develop and maintain a list of media contacts, supportive associations, and corporations, and create press releases for DCBS activities and events.
Membership Committee
Develop policies and procedures to coordinate membership and recruiting processes. Design strategies for maintaining and expanding the membership base. This committee is responsible for all member communications and for negotiating perks and discounts with businesses for members. Develop and constantly improve membership benefits package.
Newsletter Subcommittee
Produces an informative monthly communication for DCBS members and the larger Blues community. Develop commercial sponsors and solicit advertising for newsletter. The Newsletter Subcommittee also coordinates editing and printing.
Website Subcommittee
Host the DCBS website and maintain the currency and accuracy of material on the site. Develop fundraising opportunities to include merchandising, on-line donations, and advertising sales. Make recommendations for improvement.
Volunteers Committee
Identify, recruit, and organize volunteers to support the activities of the Society. Other responsibilities include developing policies and procedures, conducting training of volunteers as required, and designing recruiting and volunteer appreciation activities. Maintain a current list of volunteers with contact information and areas of interest and expertise.
Blues In Schools Program Coordinating Committee
The mission of The Blues in Schools program is to perpetuate blues music education and performance in every education outlet in the DC Metropolitan area. Liaison with school system administrators and educators and solicit funding and sponsorships to enable the program to become self-sustaining. Coordinate Blues music programs with schools, including curriculum development, cultivating support from local and special guest musicologists and other academics, and booking performers.
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Develop a DCBS Music Scholarship award program along with sponsors to support it.
We always need people to help out at the DCBS events! In general, here's what's needed:
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1-2 people to monitor door
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1-2 people to staff DCBS booth
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1-2 people to sell raffle tickets (and 1 coordinates drawing) ​
If you are interested in volunteering, fill out the contact form ----->
or send an email to our Volunteer Coordinator.