NYMT VOLUNTEER CREWS
The aggressive schedule of public events at NYMT requires numerous volunteers. Below, each area needed for operation of the museum for the benefit of the public is detailed, along with a contact person through whom you may begin a journey of volunteerism. Please consider volunteering your services to permit the museum to be open.
RAILROAD CREW
The Railroad Crew consists of all those volunteers who are qualified to work on the NYMT Railway. This includes roadbed, track and overhead maintenance, and operation of trains with either track cars or Strafford trolley cars. This crew also performs any necessary maintenance on the active cars at the museum. Additional trolley crewmen are needed so that this workload can be spread out among many volunteers. Recruitment and training for positions on this crew are on a continuous basis throughout the operating season. If you are interested in joining the railroad crew, please contact Charlie Lowe via info@nymtmuseum.org .
HISTORIC CAR AND BUILDING CREW
The work of this crew is managed by Charlie Lowe, who can be contacted via info@nymtmuseum.org. Cars which are not in operation, as well as the R&E shelter and the NYC shanty, are maintained in accordance with proper historical methods under this group. Crews come together and perform specific tasks. For example, line car 2 is being repainted under this group. If you have an idea for a project, please contact Charlie.
GIFT SHOP AND TICKETING CREW
The museum gift shop is our visitors' introduction to the museum. It’s where we sell admission tickets and provide a choice of books, gifts, and souvenirs for sale. It’s also where a friendly welcome sets the tone for visits, where we answer questions and provide directions, and where we invite new memberships and volunteering. A typical Sunday starts around 10:30 a.m., and tasks include counting and recording the money in the gift shop and ticket cash drawers, and making sure the shop is neat and presentable. As ticket and gift shop sales proceed through the day, transactions are made in cash or by credit card. At day's end, the headcount and shop sales are tallied, and the cash register is justified; the shop is closed and staff usually leave by 4:30 p.m.
Gift shop and ticket staff enjoy meeting the public and responding to their needs, and while it helps to be able to handle change, we provide the training for all tasks. The present crew could use your help. If interested in joining the Gift Shop and Ticketing Crew, please contact Jim Dierks at dierks66@frontiernet.net .
OFFICER OF THE DAY CREW
In just about any public operation, there needs to be someone available for everything from emergencies to picking up a candy wrapper. The Officer of the Day surveys the museum outside on arrival and then proceeds through a list of things to open the museum for the public. Throughout the day he or she monitors the operation, including trolley rides, model railroad, interactive exhibits, restroom cleanliness, etc., and is ready for the one-off events such as a donation for the archive or lost membership card.
The Officer of the Day creates the Day Sheet each morning on which is recorded admissions, gift shop sales, memberships, donations, and all other income. At the end of the day, the completed form, along with checks, cash, credit card receipts and membership forms, goes to the Treasurer and on to the Membership Chairman.
The position of Officer of the Day requires a thorough knowledge of the museum and its operations, as well as an ability to respond to a variety of occurrences throughout the day. Please consider joining this team and starting your training now by contacting Jim Dierks at dierks66@frontiernet.net .
MODEL RAILROAD CREW
The museum's large HO-gauge model railroad and the accompanying N-gauge model of the Rochester Subway delight visitors of all ages. Several trains operate at once, and the layout features miniature buildings, an amusement park, and hundreds of tiny people. In its former life at the Monroe County Hospital, the model railroad was configured for operation by physically challenged patients there. The result is risers that help even small youngsters see the action, and train controls that are simplicity personified.
The basic task for volunteers in the model train room is to operate the trains when visitors are present and handle the rare derailment. Beyond that, talking with the visitors and answering their questions about the layout or model railroading in general is important. As with most operating exhibits, there's also the need for maintenance and repair. Locomotives, track, switches, and the maze of wiring under the table all need periodic attention. Some of this can be done on open days, but there's also room for work during the week.
Volunteering in the model railroad room does not require model railroading experience as operating the trains is straightforward. As in all our volunteer positions, it’s important to engage the visitors, answer their questions and make sure their time in the train room is enjoyable. New model train room crew members are always welcome. To join this crew, please contact Kevin Griffith at kevgrif61@gmail.com .
FACILITY MAINTENANCE
Under the guidance and priorities set by the Facilities Manager, a crew of volunteers is responsible for keeping the museum presentable and safe. Throughout the spring, summer and fall, the main task is mowing, including field acreage, the auxiliary parking area, the front lawn areas, the bus corral and assorted grassy areas around the buildings. A Ford 8N tractor with trailing mower deck handles the big jobs, and two riding mowers cover the smaller areas. Beyond the mowing, all that equipment needs maintenance and repair, too. Other jobs in this department include trash service, snow plowing, and maintaining restroom and cleaning supplies.
Volunteers in this area need to be available during weekdays and/or Saturdays. Mowing during visitor Sunday operations is not allowed. The work requires an ability to handle the equipment involved, and extra points for familiarity with maintenance for the mowers as well. If you are interested in joining this crew, please contact Dave Coon at davecoon@frontiernet.net .
THURSDAY CREW
This group has been meeting for decades with membership evolving as new volunteers join and others move on to other areas. Responsibilities include design, construction, and maintenance of exhibits including the Greyhound bus; maintenance of the 1941 Mack fire truck and taking it for its annual state inspection; and a host of general repair, maintenance, cleaning, and painting duties on the buildings, signs, picnic tables, ad infinitum. The job jar changes each week, and variety is the spice of life for the Thursday Crew.
Everyone who can be available on Thursday afternoons is welcome to become part of the Crew. No special skills are necessary. If interested, please contact Jim Dierks at dierks66@frontiernet.net .
EVENTS CREW
Sometimes,
special events are so large they require a crew dedicated to
preparing for and holding the event. At left, for example, we see
Laura Pearce performing at last year’s Halloween event.
Halloween and Holly Trolley, especi-ally, have required an Event
Crew for many years, but new events which require such a crew have
been added to the schedule. Please consider joining this crew by
contacting Doug Anderson at
info@nymtmuseum.org
.
