Volunteer with SUMM
Thank you for your interest in SUMM! We’re excited to meet you and learn how you can add to our math equation.
Learn more about us, what our volunteers do, and how you can join the team.
Learn all about SUMM directly from our executive director, Dr. Jennifer Quinn.
“I volunteer with SUMM because I feel like I'm a part of something big about to happen.
As a student on the Advisory Council, I provide feedback on exhibits and activities, and I get to suggest my own ideas, too. I'm a member of a team launching SUMM as the first math museum on the West Coast. It's a cause I'm proud to put my name on!”
— Darren, Student Advisory Council Member
Why volunteer with SUMM?
During your time with SUMM, you’ll:
Help children and adults learn through play
Have fun with math and related subjects
Meet and network with new people
Receive support and feedback
Accrue volunteer hours
Make a difference in your community
Your efforts help make SUMM a success!
“I enjoyed the unexpected and innovative answers from children during our discussions. It was fun observing children of different ages and from different locations to work together as a team on small projects. Teaching them math while playing was like remembering my own childhood. I forgot about my age and enjoyed the day as being a child myself.”
— Neerja, Outreach Volunteer
A SUMM volunteer…
has a positive attitude
😊
has a positive attitude 😊
is communicative
🗣️
is communicative 🗣️
provides feedback
📋
provides feedback 📋
is open to critique
🤔
is open to critique 🤔
respects our communities
🌏
respects our communities
🌍
respects our communities
🌎
respects our communities 🌏 respects our communities 🌍 respects our communities 🌎
is dependable, prompt, + reliable
🧮
is dependable, prompt, + reliable 🧮
upholds our mission and values
👍
upholds our mission and values 👍
Frequently Asked Questions
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Most of our events require volunteers to be 18 or older, but we welcome youth volunteers at some events! If you're between 16 and 18, you can apply with parent/guardian permission—just have them email our Volunteer Coordination team from their own account to give consent. If you're under 16, please email our Volunteer Coordination team before applying.
Youth volunteers bring great energy and a unique connection to our audiences, and we love having them involved! We follow standards that support the safe and ethical treatment of minors, and we’re excited to have you join our equation.
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Yes! We are happy to sign off on hours completed for service learning, community engagement, employer matching, etc. We can provide a report of your reported volunteer hours upon request. Please contact our Volunteer Coordination team with your request.
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As a volunteer, we depend on you to complete your scheduled shifts. We understand that life happens and that occasionally situations may prevent you from being able to do so.
If you know that you will not be able to make a shift for an event more than 24 hours before the shift, please contact the Event Main Point of Contact or the Volunteer Coordinator, to change your schedule.
If you find that you are unable to attend on the day of your shift, please contact Event Main Point of Contact and let them know that you are unable to come in.
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We are always looking for special and unique talents to grow our organization! Whether you have cool photography experience or have a background in accounting or you have an awesome idea for a new way to spread math to our communities, we want to have you involved! Please complete the Volunteer Application and there will be a space to indicate your skills or talents. In addition, please feel free to contact our Volunteer Coordinator directly.
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