renewing technology for those who need it
Whether you want to volunteer to learn new skills, perform community service, get credit for school, or just support the cause(s), we have room for you! Forget all that equipment we handle, our volunteers are our greatest assets.
Our Programs
We have several programs for volunteers. Some people can't wait to get their first computer, while others are more interested in learning more about computer hardware or the operating system. So we encourage new volunteers to choose the program that most closely matches their interests.
Computer Adoption
If you are looking to get a computer from Renew Tech, Adoption is the program for you. Mostly, people working toward computers help us with tasks like recycling, testing, data entry and processing donations.
Build Program
Build Program volunteers build the computers that we give to volunteers and non-profit organizations, and sell in our Thrift Store. You don't have to have any prior knowledge to join the Build Program, just willingness to learn. Graduates of the Build Program get to keep the sixth computer they build, and often go on to become Build Assistants or Teachers, training our next group of volunteers. Learn more about this program here.
Committees
What's an organization like ours without committees? Everything from policy decisions [Council] to class planning [Education] to system administration is handled by groups of dedicated volunteers. [Staff help too!] Our Grants committee is working on making our hardware grants process more organized so we can help more organizations. These groups are open to anyone interested in participating. Email EMAILADDRESS or talk to a member of staff to find out about group current projects, email lists and meeting times.
Interns
If you're interested in volunteering on a set schedule for at least 10 weeks, and are looking to beef up your resumé or need a longer-term internship for a school requirement, these job descriptions may interest you. These are unpaid, challenging, and highly appreciated positions.
If you'd like to volunteer, but you're not sure what you'd like to do at Renew Tech, please email EMAILADDRESS with your situation and questions. We'll answer your questions and may invite you to make an appointment to come in and speak with us.
How do I start?
Come in and check us out to get an overall sense of the organization and to ask any questions. We are open from TIME AM TO TIME PM.
If you are in a program that will require verification of your hours or other paperwork, please let us know. All volunteers should be in our database and record hours (even if you're not working toward a computer). Please do introduce yourself to staff members (especially our volunteer coordinator) and let them know what your project and needs are.
Restrictions
Volunteers under the age of 16 must have an adult with them when they volunteer. Volunteers who violate our codes of conduct (ie. basic human decency) will be asked not to return. This includes theft.
Benefits
Renew Tech is a community. This is one of the big rewards people get for working here. You can meet all kinds of interesting people here. You can take part in decisions at Renew Tech from the most basic to the most wide-reaching and abstract. There's worlds of information that, with dogged research, patience and the right questions to the right people, can become clear.
Volunteers are welcome to use the terminals in the classroom any time there's not a class going on to check their email or do research on the web.
Volunteers are eligible to take any Renew Tech classes for free. Also, our volunteers are eligible for membership at First Tech Credit Union. In addition, active volunteers (those who have volunteered for four hours within the last three months) are eligible for a 25% discount on equipment in the Renew Tech Thrift Store.