We accept all volunteerism, large and small. No special skill needed.
We are happy to have people simply attend to our display tables at parades. We love professional and amateur architects, artists, engineers, typists, teachers, plumbers, photographers, planners, arm-chair historians, “people” persons, librarians, docents, editors, ditch diggers, public relations people, computer literates, woodworkers, organized people, writers, accountants, brick layers, event planners, bloggers, graphic designers, fun people, toters, readers, grant writers, interested people, website savvy people, collectors, businesspersons, film buffs, secretaries, and idea people. We accept young people, older people, people from all walks of life, ethnicity, origin, geographic area and skill level. If you are interested in local history and camaraderie with fun people, we will find a niche for you.
Our Active Committees
Here is a list of our active committees so you can get an idea about what kinds of things our organization accomplishes. Volunteers are welcomed to help in all areas.
You must be an active member of the California Pioneers of Santa Clara County to serve on a committee.
Advocacy: outreach to other groups and agencies.
Assets: Manages our historic resources.
Inventory / Database: catalogs and completes data entry of all our historic assets.
Hacienda Cemetery: plans the upkeep, display, and tours of our cemetery.
In Grave Danger Gang: locates lost or stolen headstones, conducts research on lost souls, and returns the headstones to their rightful places in cemeteries whereever they are located.
Acquisitions: monitors online activity of local pioneer items that may be for sale.
Library: maintains our book and ephemera library.
Archives: manages our collection of furniture and other large items that are on display at numerous museums around the Bay Area.
Book Club: reads new books on California history, and write reviews for our membership.
Business Plan Coordinator: organizes and implements our annual business plan for our major goals of that year.
Bylaws Committee: reviews, updates and makes recommendations for changes to our Bylaws and Policies manuals.
Education: creates education plans for our programs, and educates the public about our local history.
Trailblazer: publishes our quarterly journal and newsletter.
Other Publications: any publications, books, articles, pamphlets or flyers that we print.
Website: keeps our website informative, fresh and accurate.
Film Archive: collects, preserves and uploads our acclaimed films to the online Pioneers Film Archive.
History Calendar Santa Clara County: emails to all history groups, museums, archives, and interested individuals a periodic web-based calendar of history events in our valley.
Schools / Public Programs: our school outreach programs.
Events: plans and implements special events.
Luncheons: plans and executes our quarterly luncheons.
Fun Social Event: comes up with ideas for, and produces, our annual fun social event.
Finance: manages the money of the organization; set standards, and prepares monthly financial statements to the Board.
Audit: audits our finances to assure there is no waste or malfeasance.
Budget: collects annual budgets from committee chairs.
Investments: invests our money appropriately.
Grants: locates and secures goodwill grants.
History San Jose Liaison: is the designated conduit between History San Jose and the California Pioneers of Santa Clara County.
Membership: Maintains our member records, takes new applications, creates programs to ensure a diversity of ages, skill sets, geographic locations, ethnicity, etc. Sends out renewal notices and collects dues.
Sunshine Chair: send notes and flowers to ill members, or members going through a tough time.
Speakers Bureau: Responds to requests from the public to provide expert speakers on various historic topics. The speaker travels to the public or private venue.
Paulson House: manages the Paulson House Museum.
Docents: sets standards and trains docents in our museums.
Publicity / Public Relations: prepares press releases and gets the word out about our great works.
Public Outreach / Festivals: creates displays for parades, festivals, neighborhood functions, and special events; schedules volunteer to work at our community booths.
Volunteer Coordinator: seeks out volunteers; and when volunteers ask to serve, finds appropriate activities for our volunteers.
Warburton Award: a selection committee for our Warburton Award.
Roberto Adobe & Suñol House: Manages the Roberto Adobe & Suñol House Museum
There are also other committees that are established by the President for special projects, or on a short term basis.
If you have questions about volunteer opportunities, would like to serve, or would like to say “put me to work anywhere,” please email Paul Bernal at PBernal411@gmail.com.