VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads

The Donor Relations and Gift Processing Volunteer will assist with a variety of projects that help fulfill fundraising needs; drafting mailings, thank you letters for corporate and individual donors; process donations; and, assist with donor database maintenance and upkeep. Flexible with hours per week volunteering as with the ability to volunteer from home. Key responsibilities will include: - Producing donor stewardship letters and acknowledgement materials - Processing donations and preparing gift reports for the Board of Directors - Maintaining donor data using a CRM database - Writing and sending personalized thank you letters to Animal Aid Society donors - Preparing materials for donor mailings - Drafting, editing, and preparing electronic monthly newsletters, custom reports, and regular Animal Aid Society service updates for corporate and individual donors - Assisting with general office administrative tasks related to fundraising, as well as assisting with special projects and other duties as assigned - Assisting with gift processing Qualifications - Enthusiastic about philanthropy, the non-profit sector, and Animal Aid Society mission - Direct experience (professional or volunteer) in donor relations, fundraising, communications and/or office administrative support - Creative thinker that can craft stories and share data and information in unique ways that appeal to corporate and individual audiences - Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) - Experience using CRM programs ideal, but general familiarity with online database management software a plus - Ability to perform basic research, including online research and using CRM databases like to generate donor data and information - Highly organized and can maintain attention to detail, even while coordinating multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment - Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills - Flexible self-starter and ability to work with a team of individuals to accomplish tasks under tight deadlines - Excellent interpersonal, organizational and communication skills - Ability to effectively maintain the security of sensitive and confidential information

Hampton, VA

We seek community members eager to partner with the VBSPCA as board members, to invest their time, expertise, and creativity to help us create a more humane and responsible community by eliminating animal suffering while increasing human compassion. Specifically, we are looking for a board member with expertise in human resources. Board members are key to the foundation of our work at the VBSPCA. Board members have the opportunity to positively impact the lives of thousands of animals each year while increasing compassion and decreasing tolerance for cruelty in our community. Each VBSPCA Board member, working in conjunction with the other members of the Board, is responsible for Establishing organizational identity by determining the vision, mission and strategic plan for the agency Fundraising and ensuring adequate financial resources for sustainability of the mission Selecting the Chief Executive Officer and Board members, as well as monitoring their performance individually and as a body Providing legal, ethical, financial and program oversight Enhancing the organization’s public standing and community relations After you express interest below, we will be in touch with you.

Virginia Beach, VA

We seek community members eager to partner with the VBSPCA as board members, to invest their time, expertise, and creativity to help us create a more humane and responsible community by eliminating animal suffering while increasing human compassion. Specifically, we are looking for a board member with expertise in information technology. Board members are key to the foundation of our work at the VBSPCA. Board members have the opportunity to positively impact the lives of thousands of animals each year while increasing compassion and decreasing tolerance for cruelty in our community. Each VBSPCA Board member, working in conjunction with the other members of the Board, is responsible for Establishing organizational identity by determining the vision, mission and strategic plan for the agency Fundraising and ensuring adequate financial resources for sustainability of the mission Selecting the Chief Executive Officer and Board members, as well as monitoring their performance individually and as a body Providing legal, ethical, financial and program oversight Enhancing the organization’s public standing and community relations After you express interest below, we will be in touch with you.

Virginia Beach, VA

We seek community members eager to partner with the VBSPCA as board members, to invest their time, expertise, and creativity to help us create a more humane and responsible community by eliminating animal suffering while increasing human compassion. Specifically, we are looking for a board member with expertise in education. Board members are key to the foundation of our work at the VBSPCA. Board members have the opportunity to positively impact the lives of thousands of animals each year while increasing compassion and decreasing tolerance for cruelty in our community. Each VBSPCA Board member, working in conjunction with the other members of the Board, is responsible for Establishing organizational identity by determining the vision, mission, and strategic plan for the agency Fundraising and ensuring adequate financial resources for the sustainability of the mission Selecting the Chief Executive Officer and Board members, as well as monitoring their performance individually and as a body Providing legal, ethical, financial, and program oversight Enhancing the organization’s public standing and community relations After you express interest below, we will be in touch with you.

Virginia Beach, VA

Is one of your talents photography? Love dogs? If you answered yes, then we have a PAWesome volunteer opportunity for you! Animal Aid Society is looking for professional photographers to take photos of our adoptable dogs,candid photos of volunteers interacting with dogs, & social media branding photos. High quality / high resolution photos make a world of difference in helping a dog get adopted! We also need photographers that have flexibility /availability during the week & weekends to take our adoption photos! Capturing the memories between a shelter dog & their new family on their way home is incredibly special moment for everyone involved and a memory that we want to capture in a beautiful photograph when possible When beginning you will be required to volunteer during normal operating hours, between 9 AM - 12 PM with a senior volunteer. After you have volunteered for a minimum of 16 hrs, you will have the option to come in outside of normal operating hours. A safety orientation is required prior to volunteering. *Please note you must have your own DSLR or Mirrorless camera. Please visit us at AAS Dropbox Sample Media to see examples of the types / quality of work we are looking for. You can also visit our Facebook and Instagram pages.

Hampton, VA

Communties In Schools of Hampton Roads is looking for tutors to help students not fall too far behind the cracks. With school being virtual now, we are hoping that students will return to school in a better place than they left. Our mission is to surround students with a community of support, to empower them to stay in school and achieve in life. Tutors needed for Math, Science and English/Reading.

Online/zoom (Virtual)

Do you believe that literacy is a human right? The Literacy Lab recognizes that ensuring all students have the chance to read proficiently is an urgent and critical need. Our approach is to provide Pre-K classrooms and elementary schools with evidence-based literacy intervention and full-time literacy tutors to implement the model. With the help of assessment tools, their coaching teams, and The Literacy Lab’s program staff, our tutors help their students become successful readers. If you want to make a difference in the lives of kids while gaining professional skills and experience in the fields of education, nonprofit, and social justice, a service term with The Literacy Lab may be the perfect opportunity for you! WHAT YOU WILL DO Tutors serve full-time for an entire academic year and work with a caseload of about 15-18 students who need targeted reading support. At their school site, tutors implement Reading Corps specific early literacy interventions, conduct weekly progress monitoring, and work with a team of coaches to make data-informed decisions to ensure each child is on track to read proficiently. Tutors are a part of the school community and work to build strong relationships with students, teachers, and other staff. In addition, tutors participate in community-based volunteer opportunities and ongoing professional development sessions. At a minimum, a tutor must: Serve in a full-time capacity, approx. 8 hours/ day, M-F Commit to a full service term (August-June) Implement feedback from coaches and program staff Utilize Reading Corps specific data-based and scripted curriculum Participate in service days, ongoing training, and other Literacy Lab events and meetings ELIGIBILITY At a minimum, all applicants must: Be at least 17 years old Have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalency Have served no more than 3 previous AmeriCorps terms (no prior AmeriCorps experience necessary) Be a US citizen, national, or permanent resident DACA recipients are unfortunately not eligible to apply. Candidates must not be registered, or be required to register, on any sex offender registry. BENEFITS Over the course of their service term, tutors receive: A modest living allowance Federal student loan forbearance Segal Education Award upon completion of service Health insurance, with all premiums covered by The Literacy Lab Access to SNAP benefits, as well as Childcare and Employee Assistance Programs Transferable professional development that complements your service year experience COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION In addition to fulfilling our mission of ensuring that our students have the resources they need to be successful readers, we are proud to support diverse cohorts of tutors each year. We know that our cohorts are stronger when our tutors represent a number of different communities, cultures, religious backgrounds, genders, and sexual orientations. Because of the systemic history of racial inequity in the teaching profession, we’re dedicated to creating opportunities for emerging educators of color. Research shows that students who have a teacher that looks like them early in their educational career are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college. As over 90% of the students we serve are children of color, we know that having a representative cohort is crucial for positive long-term effects on our students. Furthermore, all students benefit from having at least one teacher of color in elementary school. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS The Literacy Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations are provided upon request. Required physical/sensory job functions are provided upon request. LEARN MORE Explore our Year at a Glance, which includes detailed position overviews here. Review our FAQs here.

Richmond, VA

Hope House Foundation is seeking a photographer to take pictures at our Annual Dinner on June 17th, 2021. It is a gala-style event and occurs at night so the photos would be low light. Our regular photographer is unable to attend, and we are looking for someone to fill in. The dinner & program start at 6pm and end at 10pm after dancing.

Virginia Beach, VA

Do you believe that literacy is a human right? The Literacy Lab recognizes that ensuring all students have the chance to read proficiently is an urgent and critical need. Our approach is to provide Pre-K classrooms and elementary schools with evidence-based literacy intervention and full-time literacy tutors to implement the model. With the help of assessment tools, their coaching teams, and The Literacy Lab’s program staff, our tutors help their students become successful readers. If you want to make a difference in the lives of children while gaining professional skills and experience in the fields of education, nonprofit, and social justice, a service term with The Literacy Lab may be the perfect opportunity for you! WHAT YOU WILL DO Tutors serve full-time for an entire academic year and work with a caseload of about 15-18 students who need targeted reading support. At their school site, tutors implement Reading Corps specific early literacy interventions, conduct weekly progress monitoring, and work with a team of coaches to make data-informed decisions to ensure each child is on track to read proficiently. Tutors are a part of the school community and work to build strong relationships with students, teachers, and other staff. In addition, tutors participate in community-based volunteer opportunities and ongoing professional development sessions. At a minimum, a tutor must: Serve in a full-time capacity, approx. 8 hours/ day, M-F Commit to a full service term (August-June) Implement feedback from coaches and program staff Utilize Reading Corps specific data-based and scripted curriculum Participate in service days, ongoing training, and other Literacy Lab events and meetings ELIGIBILITY At a minimum, all tutors must: Be at least 17 years old Have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalency Have served no more than 3 previous AmeriCorps terms (no prior AmeriCorps experience necessary) Be a US citizen, national, or permanent resident DACA recipients are unfortunately not eligible to apply. Candidates must not be registered, or be required to register, on any sex offender registry. BENEFITS Over the course of their service term, tutors receive: A modest living allowance Federal student loan forbearance Segal Education Award upon completion of service Health insurance, with all premiums covered by The Literacy Lab Access to SNAP benefits, as well as Childcare and Employee Assistance Programs Transferable professional development that complements your service year experience COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION In addition to fulfilling our mission of ensuring that our students have the resources they need to be successful readers, we are proud to support diverse cohorts of tutors each year. We know that our cohorts are stronger when our tutors represent a number of different communities, cultures, religious backgrounds, genders, and sexual orientations. Because of the systemic history of racial inequity in the teaching profession, we’re dedicated to creating opportunities for emerging educators of color. Research shows that students who have a teacher that looks like them early in their educational career are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college. As over 90% of the students we serve are children of color, we know that having a representative cohort is crucial for positive long-term effects on our students. Furthermore, all students benefit from having at least one teacher of color in elementary school. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS The Literacy Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations are provided upon request. Required physical/sensory job functions are provided upon request. LEARN MORE Explore our Year at a Glance, which includes detailed position overviews here. Review our FAQs here.

Richmond, VA

Do you believe that literacy is a human right? The Literacy Lab recognizes that ensuring all students have the chance to read proficiently is an urgent and critical need. Our approach is to provide Pre-K classrooms and elementary schools with evidence-based literacy intervention and full-time literacy tutors to implement the model. With the help of assessment tools, their coaching teams, and The Literacy Lab’s program staff, our tutors help their students become successful readers. If you want to make a difference in the lives of children while gaining professional skills and experience in the fields of education, nonprofit, and social justice, a service term with The Literacy Lab may be the perfect opportunity for you! WHAT YOU WILL DO Tutors serve full-time for an entire academic year and work with a caseload of about 15-18 students who need targeted reading support. At their school site, tutors implement Reading Corps specific early literacy interventions, conduct weekly progress monitoring, and work with a team of coaches to make data-informed decisions to ensure each child is on track to read proficiently. Tutors are a part of the school community and work to build strong relationships with students, teachers, and other staff. In addition, tutors participate in community-based volunteer opportunities and ongoing professional development sessions. At a minimum, a tutor must: Serve in a full-time capacity, approx. 8 hours/ day, M-F Commit to a full service term (August-June) Implement feedback from coaches and program staff Utilize Reading Corps specific data-based and scripted curriculum Participate in service days, ongoing training, and other Literacy Lab events and meetings ELIGIBILITY At a minimum, all tutors must: Be at least 17 years old Have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalency Have served no more than 3 previous AmeriCorps terms (no prior AmeriCorps experience necessary) Be a US citizen, national, or permanent resident DACA recipients are unfortunately not eligible to apply. Candidates must not be registered, or be required to register, on any sex offender registry. BENEFITS Over the course of their service term, tutors receive: A modest living allowance Federal student loan forbearance Segal Education Award upon completion of service Health insurance, with all premiums covered by The Literacy Lab Access to SNAP benefits, as well as Childcare and Employee Assistance Programs Transferable professional development that complements your service year experience COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION In addition to fulfilling our mission of ensuring that our students have the resources they need to be successful readers, we are proud to support diverse cohorts of tutors each year. We know that our cohorts are stronger when our tutors represent a number of different communities, cultures, religious backgrounds, genders, and sexual orientations. Because of the systemic history of racial inequity in the teaching profession, we’re dedicated to creating opportunities for emerging educators of color. Research shows that students who have a teacher that looks like them early in their educational career are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college. As over 90% of the students we serve are children of color, we know that having a representative cohort is crucial for positive long-term effects on our students. Furthermore, all students benefit from having at least one teacher of color in elementary school. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS The Literacy Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations are provided upon request. Required physical/sensory job functions are provided upon request. LEARN MORE Explore our Year at a Glance, which includes detailed position overviews here. Review our FAQs here. APPLY Submit your application through The Literacy Lab’s website (https://theliteracylab.org/apply/). NOTE: While we are primarily recruiting for 2021-22, applications for the current 2020-21 school year are also available on our website!

Richmond, VA

Virtual Healthcare Tech Coaches Needed! Are you a tech-savvy individual? Are you able to commit to volunteering 2-4 hours per week? Are you able to commit to volunteering for 3 months? Healthcare coaches will be teaching seniors how to use platforms such as Zoom, Duo, and Telehealth.

Norfolk, VA

Sinkinson Dyslexia Foundation is looking for a videographer to help put together 10 to 15 short clips that will be used as marketing tools on Facebook etc. The volunteer will film a small group of students, parents and tutors. The students, parents and tutors will be asked a series of questions, written and asked by SDF staff. The volunteer will be responsible for filming and editing clips.

Virginia Beach, VA

In our efforts to conserve the last parcel of wilderness in the Hoffler Creek watershed, we are currently focused on identifying, removing, and preventing invasive species throughout the Wildlife Preserve. With 142 acres to manage, this is a long term project that will require multiple phases of work and emphasis on one area at a time. The first location we are working with is along the lake edge of the Lake Ballard Trail. Some invasive species we have found are English Ivy (Hedera helix), Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinense), Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin), White Mulberry (Morus alba), Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora), and Chinese Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata). We are working on creating a more comprehensive list and identification guide to assist with this project. This opportunity specifically will involve the identification and flagging of the invasive species so that they can be easily removed by other volunteers. There is a seperate opportunity available for those interested in helping with removal. Desired Qualifications: Familiarity with the above listed plants and other invasive species commonly found in Southeast Virginia The ability to identify plants (native and non-native) without additional training Experience with invasive plant management strategies

Portsmouth, VA

Calling special speakers for our support group to lead a discussion on a topic focused on physical, emotional, and mental self-care. If you can offer guidance and expertise in any of these topics below, we need your help. Please note topics and dates for meetings are not necessarily tied to each other. After you express interest, we can work out details about your expertise and availability. Proposed topics Sleep - importance of a sleep routine and good sleep hygiene Advocacy - ability to navigate the medical system and make informed decisions about treatment Meditation - need to slow down to invest in "Me Time" to gain better awareness Nutrition - ability to create a better sense of balance through the relationship with food Physical activity - increase productivity and mental focus through routine exercise Social work - understanding the role of social workers in the healthcare journey Support group dates (every other month) January 28th , Thursday, 6:30 – 8:30 pm March 25th , Thursday, 6:30 – 8:30 pm May 27th , Thursday, 6:30 – 8:30 pm July 29th , Thursday, 6:30 – 8:30 pm September 30th , Thursday, 6:30 – 8:30 pm November 18th , Thursday, 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Virtual (Virtual)

The Muse Writers Center is looking for board member candidates to fill a slot this upcoming year, specifically bringing financial management expertise to our board. No writing expertise needed. The Muse Writers Center is dedicated to broadening community awareness and support the literary arts. We offer low cost, university-level writing classes and seminars for beginning, intermediate, and advanced/professional writers, and make every effort to provide tuition assistance and scholarships to those that cannot afford a class. The Muse Writers Center also hosts reading series in the Hampton Roads area featuring its students and local and regional writers, hosts special events, and houses a resource center for area writers.

Virtual (Virtual)

The Muse Writers Center is looking for board member candidates to fill a slot this upcoming year, specifically bringing financial management expertise to our board. No writing expertise needed. The Muse Writers Center is dedicated to broadening community awareness and support the literary arts. We offer low cost, university-level writing classes and seminars for beginning, intermediate, and advanced/professional writers, and make every effort to provide tuition assistance and scholarships to those that cannot afford a class. The Muse Writers Center also hosts reading series in the Hampton Roads area featuring its students and local and regional writers, hosts special events, and houses a resource center for area writers.

Virtual (Virtual)

Do you believe that literacy is a human right? The Literacy Lab recognizes that ensuring all students have the chance to read proficiently is an urgent and critical need. Our approach is to provide Pre-K classrooms and elementary schools with evidence-based literacy intervention and full-time literacy tutors to implement the model. With the help of assessment tools, their coaching teams, and The Literacy Lab’s program staff, our tutors help their students become successful readers. If you want to make a difference in the lives of children while gaining professional skills and experience in the fields of education, nonprofit, and social justice, a service term with The Literacy Lab may be the perfect opportunity for you! WHAT YOU WILL DO Tutors serve full-time for an entire academic year and work with a caseload of about 15-18 students who need targeted reading support. At their school site, tutors implement Reading Corps specific early literacy interventions, conduct weekly progress monitoring, and work with a team of coaches to make data-informed decisions to ensure each child is on track to read proficiently. Tutors are a part of the school community and work to build strong relationships with students, teachers, and other staff. In addition, tutors participate in community-based volunteer opportunities and ongoing professional development sessions. At a minimum, a tutor must: Serve in a full-time capacity, approx. 8 hours/ day, M-F Commit to a full service term (August-June) Implement feedback from coaches and program staff Utilize Reading Corps specific data-based and scripted curriculum Participate in service days, ongoing training, and other Literacy Lab events and meetings ELIGIBILITY At a minimum, all tutors must: Be at least 17 years old Have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalency Have served no more than 3 previous AmeriCorps terms (no prior AmeriCorps experience necessary) Be a US citizen, national, or permanent resident DACA recipients are unfortunately not eligible to apply. Candidates must not be registered, or be required to register, on any sex offender registry. BENEFITS Over the course of their service term, tutors receive: A modest living allowance Federal student loan forbearance Segal Education Award upon completion of service Health insurance, with all premiums covered by The Literacy Lab Access to SNAP benefits, as well as Childcare and Employee Assistance Programs Transferable professional development that complements your service year experience COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION In addition to fulfilling our mission of ensuring that our students have the resources they need to be successful readers, we are proud to support diverse cohorts of tutors each year. We know that our cohorts are stronger when our tutors represent a number of different communities, cultures, religious backgrounds, genders, and sexual orientations. Because of the systemic history of racial inequity in the teaching profession, we’re dedicated to creating opportunities for emerging educators of color. Research shows that students who have a teacher that looks like them early in their educational career are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college. As over 90% of the students we serve are children of color, we know that having a representative cohort is crucial for positive long-term effects on our students. Furthermore, all students benefit from having at least one teacher of color in elementary school. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS The Literacy Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations are provided upon request. Required physical/sensory job functions are provided upon request. LEARN MORE Explore our Year at a Glance, which includes detailed position overviews here. Review our FAQs here. APPLY Submit your application through The Literacy Lab’s website (https://theliteracylab.org/apply/). NOTE: While we are primarily recruiting for 2021-22, applications for the current 2020-21 school year are also available on our website!

Do you believe that literacy is a human right? The Literacy Lab recognizes that ensuring all students have the chance to read proficiently is an urgent and critical need. Our approach is to provide Pre-K classrooms and elementary schools with evidence-based literacy intervention and full-time literacy tutors to implement the model. With the help of assessment tools, their coaching teams, and The Literacy Lab’s program staff, our tutors help their students become successful readers. If you want to make a difference in the lives of children while gaining professional skills and experience in the fields of education, nonprofit, and social justice, a service term with The Literacy Lab may be the perfect opportunity for you! WHAT YOU WILL DO Tutors serve full-time for an entire academic year and work with a caseload of about 15-18 students who need targeted reading support. At their school site, tutors implement Reading Corps specific early literacy interventions, conduct weekly progress monitoring, and work with a team of coaches to make data-informed decisions to ensure each child is on track to read proficiently. Tutors are a part of the school community and work to build strong relationships with students, teachers, and other staff. In addition, tutors participate in community-based volunteer opportunities and ongoing professional development sessions. At a minimum, a tutor must: Serve in a full-time capacity, approx. 8 hours/ day, M-F Commit to a full service term (August-June) Implement feedback from coaches and program staff Utilize Reading Corps specific data-based and scripted curriculum Participate in service days, ongoing training, and other Literacy Lab events and meetings ELIGIBILITY At a minimum, all tutors must: Be at least 17 years old Have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalency Have served no more than 3 previous AmeriCorps terms (no prior AmeriCorps experience necessary) Be a US citizen, national, or permanent resident DACA recipients are unfortunately not eligible to apply. Candidates must not be registered, or be required to register, on any sex offender registry. BENEFITS Over the course of their service term, tutors receive: A modest living allowance Federal student loan forbearance Segal Education Award upon completion of service Health insurance, with all premiums covered by The Literacy Lab Access to SNAP benefits, as well as Childcare and Employee Assistance Programs Transferable professional development that complements your service year experience COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION In addition to fulfilling our mission of ensuring that our students have the resources they need to be successful readers, we are proud to support diverse cohorts of tutors each year. We know that our cohorts are stronger when our tutors represent a number of different communities, cultures, religious backgrounds, genders, and sexual orientations. Because of the systemic history of racial inequity in the teaching profession, we’re dedicated to creating opportunities for emerging educators of color. Research shows that students who have a teacher that looks like them early in their educational career are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college. As over 90% of the students we serve are children of color, we know that having a representative cohort is crucial for positive long-term effects on our students. Furthermore, all students benefit from having at least one teacher of color in elementary school. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS The Literacy Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations are provided upon request. Required physical/sensory job functions are provided upon request. LEARN MORE Explore our Year at a Glance, which includes detailed position overviews here. Review our FAQs here. NOTE: While we are primarily recruiting for 2021-22, applications for the current 2020-21 school year are also available on our website!

The ideal candidate would have experience with marketing, ideally in the non-profit sector. We hope that this board member will be able to help our small non-profit, which began 13 years ago, become more than a name, but a mission of support. We need assistance with educating our supporters, reporting on our accomplishments and goals, and generating new donors. As well as, knowing the best way to communicate (in person, electronic communication, social media, and mail) to established and potential donors/supporters. This individual will also assist us in developing the most effective methods to advertise our annual events.