Volunteer

Interested in volunteering with our Policy Department? Contact Javonne Rich, Policy and Advocacy Director, at [email protected] and specify the volunteer position you're interested in the subject line.  

Education Equity Outreach Volunteer 

Summary: Assist in expanding ACLU-DE’s network of partners, educators, and families to further education equity agreements (EEAs) and promote awareness of student rights. 

Responsibilities: 

• Tabling and Recruitment: Represent ACLU-DE at community events to educate attendees about EEAs and recruit volunteers or partners for advocacy efforts. 
• Community Engagement: Build relationships with local educators, parents, and students to amplify equity initiatives. 
• Data Collection: Gather contact information from interested parties and help maintain outreach databases. 

Ideal Candidate: 

• Enthusiastic and approachable with strong networking skills. 
• Interested in education and community organizing. 
• Comfortable working at public events and tabling opportunities. 

Impact: Expand the movement for education equity by engaging new voices and allies to support systemic change. 

School Board Election Canvassing Volunteer 

Summary: Empower communities to elect school board members who prioritize equitable and inclusive education policies by canvassing and engaging voters during school board election cycles. 

Responsibilities: 

• Canvassing: Participate in door-to-door outreach and phone banking to inform voters about school board elections and candidates who support equity and inclusion. 
• Event Support: Help organize canvassing events and train new volunteers. 
• Resource Distribution: Share educational materials about voting and the importance of school board representation. 

Ideal Candidate: 

• Comfortable with in-person and phone outreach. 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills. 
• Experience with voter engagement or canvassing is helpful but not required. 

Impact: Help ensure school board representation reflects the community's values and prioritizes fair and inclusive education policies. 

Student Rights Advocacy Volunteer 

Summary: Support the ACLU-DE’s efforts to ensure that students, particularly transgender youth, are protected from discrimination and excessive discipline in schools. Help advocate for fair policies and practices across school districts. 

Responsibilities: 

• Policy Advocacy: Research and draft materials supporting equitable education policies, particularly around trans rights, and excessive discipline. 
• Outreach: Communicate with parents, students, and educators to gather insights about systemic challenges, policy impacts, and recruit Education Equity Ambassadors (EEAs). 
• Training Support: Assist in organizing and attending workshops or advocacy sessions to educate communities about student rights. 

Ideal Candidate: 

• Passionate about LGBTQ+ rights and educational equity. 
• Knowledge of education systems and policy a plus but not required. 
• Strong communication and research skills. 

Impact: Help transform school systems into more equitable and inclusive spaces for all students, particularly those most vulnerable to systemic discrimination. 

Storytelling Volunteer 

Summary: Help elevate the voices of students, parents, and families by collecting and sharing their stories to highlight the need for equitable education and advocacy. 

Responsibilities: 

• Interviewing: Speak with parents and community members to capture impactful personal stories about education challenges or successes. 
• Story Development: Draft written or multimedia stories for ACLU-DE campaigns and materials, ensuring authenticity and dignity in representation. 
• Collaboration: Work closely with the policy and communications teams to align storytelling efforts with advocacy goals. 

Ideal Candidate: 

• Strong writing and interviewing skills. 
• Experience in journalism, communications, or storytelling preferred but not required. 
• Passionate about amplifying underrepresented voices. 

Impact: Create powerful narratives that inspire action and support advocacy for systemic change in Delaware’s education system. 

Interested in volunteering with our Legal Department? Contact Dwayne Bensing, Legal Director, at [email protected] and specify the volunteer position you're interested in the subject line.

FOIA Request Specialist 

Summary: Play a key role in increasing transparency and accountability by submitting and tracking Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. 

Responsibilities: 

• Draft, send, and track FOIA requests to relevant government agencies. 
• Organize and maintain a database of submitted requests and received responses. 

Ideal Candidate: Detail-oriented with excellent organizational and communication skills. No prior legal experience is required. 

Spanish Translator (Legal Translating Volunteer) 

Summary: Assist in translating legal documents and communications for Spanish-speaking constituents. Your skills will help ensure accessibility and understanding of critical legal materials. 

Responsibilities: 

• Translate legal documents from English to Spanish and vice versa. 
• Collaborate with ACLU staff to ensure translations are accurate and culturally appropriate. 

Ideal Candidate: Fluent in Spanish and English with experience in legal or professional translation. 

Public Accountability Volunteer 

Summary: Attend public meetings to document key decisions impacting the community. Provide notes to support ACLU-DE campaigns and assist in creating resources to help advocates push for equitable policies. Perfect for those passionate about civil rights and advocacy. 

Responsibilities: 

• Meeting Monitoring: Attend public agency, school district, or local government meetings (virtual or in-person) to take detailed notes on agenda items and decisions affecting the community. 
• Advocacy Support: Compile findings to inform community advocates and ACLU-DE campaigns. Assist in creating resources that empower parents, educators, and local leaders to advocate for equitable public policies. 

Ideal Candidate: 

• Passionate about public accountability and equity. 
• Strong analytical, research, and organizational skills. 
• Comfortable attending and summarizing public meetings. 
• Background in education, public policy, and school board is a plus but not required. 

Impact: Your work will help shine a light on how public resources are allocated and ensure that decision-making is transparent and responsive to community needs. 
 

Financial Research & Analysis Volunteer 

Summary: Join the ACLU-DE team as a Research & Analysis Volunteer, contributing to our mission of promoting equity and justice. This role involves examining public records and analyzing data to uncover spending patterns and identify gaps in equity, particularly in education funding for English Language Learner (ELL) students and discipline policies. 

Responsibilities: 

• Data Collection & Review: Gather and analyze public records, school district budgets, and agency reports. 
• Equity Analysis: Identify disparities in funding and services, focusing on ELL students and disciplinary practices. 
• Reporting: Summarize findings in clear, actionable reports to inform ACLU-DE’s advocacy efforts. 
• Collaboration: Work with the ACLU-DE team to develop resources that support equitable public policies. 

Ideal Candidate: 

• Strong analytical and research skills. 
• Familiarity with public records and budget analysis is a plus. 
• Commitment to social justice and equity. 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team. 

Impact: Your research will directly support ACLU-DE’s initiatives to promote fair policies and ensure all Delawareans, especially vulnerable populations, have equal access to opportunities and justice. 

Interested in volunteering with our Development Department? Contact Melissa Bryson, Development Director, at [email protected] and specify the volunteer position you're interested in the subject line.

Ad Hoc Volunteer (Flexible Tasks) 

Summary: Become part of a dynamic group of volunteers who receive one-off requests to support ACLU-DE projects as needs arise. Perfect for volunteers looking for flexible opportunities. 

Responsibilities: 

• Thank You Note Writing: Show appreciation to our supporters by crafting personalized thank-you notes. 
• Mailing Support: Assist with assembling and sending out mailings for campaigns and donor engagement. 
• Task-Specific Support: Respond to calls for support on activities like data entry, event assistance, or outreach preparation. 

Ideal For: Individuals who have variable availability but want to make a meaningful impact by supporting ongoing ACLU-DE initiatives. 

Commitment: Flexible, based on task availability and your schedule. Volunteers will receive email requests and can sign up based on their interest and availability. 

Ambassador for Do More 24 Delaware 

Summary: Represent ACLU-DE during Delaware’s annual Do More 24 event by rallying support, raising awareness, and engaging your network to generate donations. 

Responsibilities: 

• Fundraising Advocacy: Create a personalized fundraising page, share ACLU-DE’s mission, and encourage friends and family to contribute during the campaign. 
• Social Media Outreach: Share pre-drafted posts and create your own to inspire action within your digital community. 
• Event Participation: Rally your network to participate during the 24-hour online event to support initiatives of the ACLU of Delaware 

Ideal For: Social media-savvy volunteers, passionate fundraisers, or community builders who enjoy engaging others to make a difference. 

Commitment: 1–2 hours/week during the lead-up to and duration of the Do More 24 Delaware campaign. 

Kandler Committee Member 

Summary: Join a passionate group of volunteers dedicated to advancing ACLU-DE’s mission by assisting with event planning, fundraising, and community outreach. Named in honor of civil rights leader Gerald Kandler, this committee plays a key role in supporting our organizational goals. 

Responsibilities: 

• Choose Honorees: Read all Kandler Memorial Award nomination entries and vote to determine two honorees 
• Event Support: Help organize ACLU-DE events and ensure their success by coordinating logistics, securing resources, and engaging participants. 
• Fundraising: Assist with brainstorming and implementing fundraising initiatives that sustain our programs. 
• Community Engagement: Build relationships with donors, community leaders, and other supporters through targeted outreach efforts. 
• Meetings: Attend regular committee meetings and contribute ideas and feedback. 

Ideal For: Volunteers passionate about civil liberties and organizational support who want to contribute their event planning and community-building skills. 

Commitment: Approximately 2–5 hours/month, including meetings and event support. 

Interested in volunteering with our Communications Department? Contact Casira Copes, Communications Director, at [email protected] and specify the volunteer position you're interested in the subject line.

Flyer Distribution & Online Event Listing Volunteer [Virtual]

Summary: Help expand our reach by putting up flyers in key locations across the state and ensuring our events are listed on local community boards. 

Requirements: Reliable transportation for flyer placement; basic knowledge of online platforms (e.g., Facebook Events) for event listings. 

Press Tracker Update Volunteer [Virtual]

Summary: Assist with updating and organizing press mentions of ACLU-DE to ensure we’re staying informed about media coverage. 

Requirements: Detail-oriented, organized, and interested in media relations. 

Blog Post/Op-Ed Writer [Virtual]

Summary: Help raise awareness of ACLU-DE’s work through compelling blog posts and op-eds. You’ll share stories, highlight key issues, and inspire action. 

Requirements: Strong writing skills and a passion for social justice. 

DSBA Article Writer [Virtual]

Summary: Write articles for the Delaware State Bar Association newsletter to inform the legal community about ACLU-DE’s work. 

Requirements: Strong writing skills, an interest in legal issues, and social justice. A law degree is not required. 

Event Tabling Volunteer 

Summary: Represent ACLU-DE at community events by tabling, engaging with attendees, and distributing educational materials. Be a voice for civil liberties. 

Requirements: Friendly, outgoing, and comfortable interacting with the public. 

Community Board Location Researcher 

Summary: Research and compile lists of community hubs (libraries, coffee shops, etc.) across New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties where ACLU-DE can distribute flyers. 

Requirements: Strong research skills and local knowledge of the counties you’re assigned to.