Volunteer Project List

Role Overview

The Advocacy Chair monitors and responds to local and state-level policy issues affecting South Carolina’s native plants and ecosystems. This role serves as the "eyes and ears" for the chapter, translating complex legislative language into actionable information for our members to ensure the Pee Dee’s voice is represented.

Responsibilities

1.  Policy Monitoring & Review

• Stay informed on local municipal ordinances and state-level bills related to conservation, invasive species, and habitat protection.
• Determine how proposed developments or legislative changes will specifically impact native plant populations, local biodiversity, and wildlife corridors.

2.  Messaging & Awareness & Calls to Action

• Create "Policy Briefs" or summaries for the chapter newsletter and website that explain why a specific issue matters to native plant enthusiasts.
• Work with the Communications team (Publicity and Outreach)  to develop messaging and materials on issues to share with members and the public at Chapter events and on social media.
• Write clear, concise "Calls to Action" (CTAs) that provide members with a summary of the issue, contact information for relevant decision-makers, and talking points or customizable email templates.
• Organize and encourage member attendance at public hearings or local planning commission meetings when critical habitats are at risk.

3.  Advocacy Compliance

• Ensure all advocacy activities remain within the non-partisan guidelines of a 501(c)(3) organization (focusing on issues/legislation rather than endorsing candidates).

4. Networking and Relationship Development

• Networking to build connections and partnerships with other like-minded conservation organizations and our legal stewards.
• Becoming part of statewide advocacy efforts with our partners in Conservation Voters of SC (CVSC) and the SC Conservation Coalition.

Anticipated Commitment/Skills

• Attend monthly chapter board meetings
• Attend regular state wide advocacy committee meetings
• General administrative activities related to communication and coordination on policy issues and action.
• Ability to use or learn Google Suite (Sheets, Forms, Gmail) and learn the Society’s client relationship management system, Neon.
•  A genuine interest in South Carolina’s native flora and environmental conservation.

Role Overview

The Advocacy Chair monitors and responds to local and state-level policy issues affecting South Carolina’s native plants and ecosystems. This role serves as the "eyes and ears" for the chapter, translating complex legislative language into actionable information for our members to ensure the Savannah River’s voice is represented.

Responsibilities

1.  Policy Monitoring & Review

• Stay informed on local municipal ordinances and state-level bills related to conservation, invasive species, and habitat protection.
• Determine how proposed developments or legislative changes will specifically impact native plant populations, local biodiversity, and wildlife corridors.

2.  Messaging & Awareness & Calls to Action

• Create "Policy Briefs" or summaries for the chapter newsletter and website that explain why a specific issue matters to native plant enthusiasts.
• Work with the Communications team (Publicity and Outreach)  to develop messaging and materials on issues to share with members and the public at Chapter events and on social media.
• Write clear, concise "Calls to Action" (CTAs) that provide members with a summary of the issue, contact information for relevant decision-makers, and talking points or customizable email templates.
• Organize and encourage member attendance at public hearings or local planning commission meetings when critical habitats are at risk.

3.  Advocacy Compliance

• Ensure all advocacy activities remain within the non-partisan guidelines of a 501(c)(3) organization (focusing on issues/legislation rather than endorsing candidates).

4. Networking and Relationship Development

• Networking to build connections and partnerships with other like-minded conservation organizations and our legal stewards.
• Becoming part of statewide advocacy efforts with our partners in Conservation Voters of SC (CVSC) and the SC Conservation Coalition.

Anticipated Commitment/Skills

• Attend monthly chapter board meetings
• Attend regular state wide advocacy committee meetings
• General administrative activities related to communication and coordination on policy issues and action.
• Ability to use or learn Google Suite (Sheets, Forms, Gmail) and learn the Society’s client relationship management system, Neon.
•  A genuine interest in South Carolina’s native flora and environmental conservation.

Role Overview

The Grant Committee Chair oversees the SCNPS Grand Strand Chapter's grant program. Grant cycles are in the spring and fall and offer grants to organizations within the Grand Strand area. This is a great opportunity to learn, and fund, exciting projects that support native plants in the Grand Strand area, including for organizations that would otherwise be unable to fulfill these projects.

Duties Include:

• Creation of grant application informational letter and application form 
• Dispersal of grant application information to community members via email
• Gathering of grant materials and accumulation in Google Drive Folder
• Coordination with the Grants Committee to set deadlines for grant reviews via rubric and schedule grant review virtual meetings
• Review of grants alongside the Grants Committee with the use of a rubric
• With the Grants Committee, make recommendations for grant funding
• Notify applicants of approval or declination of grant funding
• Maintain records of grants
• Answer applicant questions as needed

The position is primarily limited to two times a year, in the spring and fall and does not require a large time commitment overall. 

Role Overview

Grant Committee Readers review applications to the SCNPS Grand Strand Chapter's grant program. Grant cycles are in the spring and fall and offer grants to organizations within the Grand Strand area. This is a great opportunity to learn, and fund, exciting projects that support native plants in the Grand Strand area, including for organizations that would otherwise be unable to fulfill these projects.

Duties Include:

• Review of grants alongside the Grants Committee with the use of a rubric
• With the Grants Committee, attend a twice yearly Zoom call to discuss applications and make recommendations for grant funding

Experience with native plants and/or community grant programs is beneficial, but not required.

This position is primarily limited to two times a year, in the spring and fall and does not require a large time commitment overall.

this is a test volunteering opportunity

Role Overview

The State Communications Chair coordinates  the organization’s internal and external messaging, developing statewide strategies to keep members informed and engaged via newsletters, social media, and websites.

Responsibilities

• Attend monthly state Board meetings and provide regular updates to the Board.
• Coordinate with chapter communications/publicity chairs to develop a comprehensive communication plan and content calendar for statewide newsletters, websites, and social media.
• Oversee the creation and distribution of information (e.g., newsletters, articles, email updates) using the organization’s branding and style guide.
• Maintain the organization’s website and social media platforms.
• Act as a liaison to the community or press, promoting the organization’s mission and activities.

Anticipated Skills

• Strong written and verbal skills, with experience in editing or publishing.
• Proficiency in using social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook), and email marketing tools.
• Proficiency with (or willingness to learn) WordPress (our website format) and Neon (our emailing application).
• Ability to manage volunteers and delegate tasks efficiently.
• A genuine interest in South Carolina’s native flora and environmental conservation.

Role Overview
The Membership Chair is responsible for driving the growth, engagement, and retention of the organization’s members. Key duties include coordinating the chapter membership chairs, developing recruitment campaigns, managing the onboarding of new members, maintaining accurate membership databases, reporting on retention metrics to the state Board, and fostering a welcoming environment to sustain, and grow, the organization's membership. 

Responsibilities

• Attend monthly Board meetings and provide monthly report on membership statistics, goals, and trends
  monthly membership reports
• Develop, coordinate, and execute strategic campaigns to attract new members.
• Maintain automated member communications in the organization’s Client Relationship Management software, Neon CRM. 
• Act as the primary contact for general inquiries about membership and loop in relevant chapter membership chairs as appropriate 
• Collaborate with chapter membership chairs to help with recruitment events, welcome activities, and member outreach.
• Work with the executive committee and chapter membership chairs to set yearly membership targets, identify opportunities for growth.
• Work with the Communications Chair and the Chapter comms leads to develop and distribute promotional materials

Anticipated Skills

• Strong interpersonal and networking skills to build relationships both inside and outside of the organization..
• Organized with attention to detail.
  Strategic thinking for planning and implementing goals.
• Excellent communication skills for interacting with members, prospective members, the media, etc., and for reporting to the board.
• Familiarity with (or willingness to learn) our membership database and Client Relationship Management software, (Neon CRM) 
• Comfortable with the Google Suite (Sheets, Docs, Forms, Gmail, etc.).
• A genuine interest in South Carolina’s native flora and environmental conservation.