Volunteer Sandy Reardon keeps up with her crochet in quiet times, but on busy days she admits groups of up to 40 into the Mangawhai Museum.
Another 10 volunteers have joined the Mangawhai Museum after a recent volunteer drive.
They will be part of the team of 65 volunteers who help run everything at the museum from the front of house, cafe, shop, collection management, education groups, exhibition display, grounds and building maintenance.
Museum manager Emma Gray is the only full-time staff member, along with two part-time cafe staff and the museum board. Emma started in January this year, a month after the new museum opened, and says she could not do her job without the volunteers.
“Volunteers made this museum happen and they keep it going. I deeply appreciate all they do, so my job is ensuring they are happy. If we have happy volunteers, we have a happy workplace.”
She says some volunteers work up to four days a week, and others help out when they can in busy periods. They have no expectations on how often people should work, and take any help they can get. The volunteers receive initial training and upskilling where needed.
Volunteer Sandy Reardon works front of house, greeting and admitting visitors two mornings a week when she is not helping her husband with their Mangawhai Fishing and Tackle business. She joined to give something back to the community she has lived in for the past seven years.
“It’s another way to meet people in the community. It makes you feel connected.”
Volunteers have also organised the Book Fair, on at the museum on April 4 and 5.
Emma says the museum is always keen to hear from more volunteers. To find out more contact info@mangawhai-museum.org.nz
