SJBAS is a member-driven organization and we are only as effective as our volunteers. Volunteer opportunities include, but are not limited to, helping with pre-meeting socials, organizing field trips, serving on the Board of Directors, helping with our annual picnic and holiday brunch, and serving on various committees. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Susan Hicks at sjbashicks@gmail.com.
Board Positions
Program Co-Chair – We need a volunteer to work with our Program Chair, Janice Sheftel, to arrange speakers for our monthly meetings. For more information, please contact Thom Polich at thomas.polich@gmail.com.
Webmaster
SJBAS is seeking a volunteer to help manage and maintain our website. This role is essential to keeping our members informed and sharing our programs, events, and resources with the wider community.
What’s involved
- Posting updates to the website (typically a few times per month)
- Keeping event information current
- Making minor edits and checking that pages, links, and features are working properly
- Coordinating with club leadership on content
What we’re looking for
- Basic comfort working with websites (WordPress experience is a plus, but not required)
- Reliability and attention to detail
- Interest in archaeology, history, or supporting a community organization
Time commitment
- Approximately 4 – 8 hours per month
- Flexible schedule; work can be done remotely
Support provided
- Training and documentation from the current website manager
- Ongoing support during the transition
This is a great opportunity for someone looking to contribute their skills, gain experience, or support archaeology education in our region. The role could also be well-suited to a student, early-career professional, or tech-savvy volunteer. If you are interested—or know someone who might be—please contact Lyle Hancock at lylehancock54@gmail.com.
General Volunteer Opportunities
Hospitality Volunteers – We need one or two volunteers to bring cookies or snacks and help set up the welcome tables in the foyer at the Center of Southwest Studies before our monthly meetings. If you are interested, please contact Tammie and Joel Barger at tab2105@comcast.net.
Field Trip Organizers – Our field trip organizers are a crucial component of our Field Trip program. One of the best ways to get involved is to attend our annual Field Trip Planning Meeting in the fall. You don’t have to be an avocational archaeologist or specialist in any field to organize a field trip, but organizational skills and some knowledge of the area or site you want to visit are helpful. Field trip organizers often arrange guided tours using local experts or tribal guides to interpret sites. For more information, please contact Rusty Chamberlain at chambrke@aol.com.
Annual Meeting and Holiday Brunch – This event is held in early December at the Vallecito Room at Fort Lewis College. We need volunteers to help organize and run the silent auction, decorate tables, and staff the check-in table. If you are interested in more details, please contact Tammie and Joel Barger at tab2105@comcast.net.
Regional Volunteer Opportunities
Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance http://www.swcocanyons.org/
Chimney Rock Interpretive Association http://www.chimneyrockco.org/cria.php
Fort Lewis College, Center of Southwest Studies Contact Julie Tapley-Booth, 970-247-7456
Mesa Verde National Park http://www.nps.gov/meve/supportyourpark/volunteer.htm
Aztec Ruins National Monument https://www.nps.gov/azru/getinvolved/supportyourpark/current-volunteer-opportunities.htm
Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum https://www.blm.gov/learn/interpretive-centers/CANM-visitor-center-museum
Animas Museum Contact 259-2402 or animasmuseum@frontier.net
San Juan National Forest and regional BLM lands – San Juan Mountains Association Call 970-385-1310 or www.sjma.org for more information.