| JOB TITLE |
DESCRIPTION |
| OPERATIONS |
| Office Assistant |
Must be computer literate. Logs volunteer hours on spreadsheet, monthly filing & prepare report to MAS (type, get signed, envelope, post), helps with miscellaneous communications (phone/written), updates newsletter data base, is familiar with basic operation of house/grounds. Requires MAS Volunteer Application and background check |
| Program Coordinator/s |
Works to organize workshops, lectures, presentations and speakers. Must not interfere with Manistee County Audubon Society. Topics should be 1)avian or 2)nature or environment. We want top notch, quality things going on. Work with MAS and Manager to set initial guidelines, then work independently. Could be several people but must work together. |
| Grant Writers |
We need several folks with grant writing experience who can work with Manager and MAS to apply for grants for various capital projects. May consider beginner/less experience for smaller grants. |
| Newsletter Editor |
Pull the Lake Bluff Outlook together every 2 months. Solicit a few articles, get input from Manager, get info to our layout artist, help with draft approval, co-ordinate printing/folding/mailing, updates newsletter data base. |
| Wedding Assistance |
We use 3 to 4 people at weddings. Usually two help park cars on the main lawn and one or two make themselves available to assist the bridal party in the house. |
| Tour Guide |
Study history of property (house, stable, arboretum). Be available to lead tours by prior appointment. Possibly do impromptu tours of weekends at your convenience (Manager must be on site). Some areas of house off limits. Stable may be included. |
| UPC Codes |
Manage UPC effort at LB; solicit UPC labels. Redeem existing UPC code labels; funds go to LB. The code labels must be redeemed in groups of 1000 for $20. LB has potential to make $1000 plus/year |
| Beach Patrol |
We have 1700 feet of beach on Lake Michigan. The beach should be walked at least once a week in summer/tourist season to pick up any non-natural trash (cigarette/cigar butts, cans, wrappers, etc). |
| Adopt-A-Tree Cottonwood Trail |
The area around young trees. Branches should be sprayed with deer repellent periodically. Volunteer can adopt one or any number of trees. |
| Adopt-A-Tree Beach Trail |
Young pines near north boundary need well to be kept mowed and mulched. Weeds/grass should be pulled or kept out of the well. |
| Lawn Mowing |
(Mow Plan under development) |
| COMMUNITY |
| Story Time for Children |
Develop a recurring activity built on the Harris Nature Center model; study their operation. 2-3 people. Read bird/nature/outdoor themed stories to k-3 graders. Memorial Day to Labor Day. Saturday mornings once a month. Costumed character? Story + walk? Suggested donation $3/child. MAS Volunteer Application and Background check required. |
| Community Garden |
[Under development] |
| PROJECTS |
| Dune Signage |
Install MAS sanctuary signs near property boundary in dune but readable from beach.Plastic sign on treated (no arsenic) 4x4 w/ anchor. Inform adjacent property owners. Seek donated posts. |
| Natural Log Bench |
Build a bench on the Jack Fern Trail. Installed near the north bridge. We have dead maple log/s of proper size nearby. Log must be saw split and hauled. Heavy work. Needs a group. |
| Road Signs |
Same as above. North & south prop lines along Lakeshore |
| Exclusion Patch 1 |
Interpretive activity. Fence off section of forest to protect from deer browse. Install signage. Requires posts, fencing; materials must be donated. |
| Exclusion Patch 2 |
Ditto above |
| SoundSystemRepair |
See if we can get house sound system working again. The radio powers up but no volume. Old vacuum tube system. Volunteer must be skilled in this sort of work. Mfrs manual available. |
| New Brochure |
Redesign brochure, follow Otis model, must have before Memorial Day. |
| East Wing Toilet Repair |
Repair toilet and investigate tub functionality. Install shower wand in tub. Must be a plumbing professional. Donated time or material or both |
| Renewable Energy Consultant(s) |
The house may become a model for renewable energy use, an example to our visitors. Wind/solar elect generation. Solar assist water heat system? Composting toilets? |
| Gray Water System |
Investigate feasibility of gray water system in two pool house sinks. Installation would be interpretive w/ some sort of signage or other to inform visitors. Must have experience in such systems. Volunteer/s and manager we will evaluate together; may/may not complete |
| Trail Relocation |
Trail building is fun work. Move 20 foot portion of Jack Fern Trail (location:just east of field). Currently runs down fall line and is steep. Relo requires making a benched trail with proper outslope. Obliterate old trail. Tools and gages available. This is finesse work requiring patience to be executed properly. One person or a small group of 2-4 |
| Pool House Reroof |
Pool house has 2 layers of old asphalt shingles. Remove shingles and cart away. Install new building felt and 25 year shingles. Note: might be a ‘green roof’ . |
| Herbicide Applicator |
Build a Michigan Nature Conservancy designed herbicide (Round-up) applicator/dauber for multi-flora rose kill program. Made from PVC pipe and fittings. Lake Bluff has plans. Fun project. |
| Main Signs |
Upgrade signs at entrances with new MAS logo and sanctuary name. Evaluate modifying existing signs versus all new; wood versus other materials. |
| New Flower Bed 1 |
Revitalize flower bed around pool that has been neglected. Mass plant marigolds by pool apron. Back row can be other. Possible plantings in other shaded areas around pool. Design plantings for new walkway thru fence. Must be donated items. Plantings must not be invasive or attract deer; must attract bees and butterflys |
| New Flower Bed 2 |
Revitalize flower bed along north wall of patio. We want lots of color here. Plantings must not be invasive or attract deer; must attract bees and butterflys . |
| Flower Bed Maintainer |
Keep flowers deadheaded, weeded. Probably weekly is ideal. Save/store seeds for next year. Also check evergreen beds for errant saplings,etc. |
| Evaluate Front Walk Stonework |
Must be experienced person/s. Cemented joints between stones cracked, chipping; stones crumbling. Stoop stone loosening. Look at alternatives: Crushed stone, brick/sand, concrete?Evaluate alternatives before action. |
| House Painting 1 |
West (guest) wing exterior. Scrape, caulk, repair as needed. Use a good quality exterior paint. No second floor work. |
| House Painting 2 |
Laundry room. Scrape, caulk, repair as needed. Use a good quality exterior paint. No second floor work. |
| House Painting 3 |
Windows/frames and door frames at first floor level, including library window. Scrape, caulk, repair as needed. Use a good quality exterior paint. No second floor work. |
| Stable Repair |
Enclose balcony soffit/fascia. Use screen for ventilation. May need to live trap porky. Also repair railing for esthetics. Possibly install ‘fan guard’ at east end to thwart porky. |
| Multi-Flora Rose Kill |
Trim canes, cut trunks close to ground, daub with herbicide. Best done before leaf-out or in fall after leaf drop. Dirty work, wounds inevitable, handling herbicide. Infestations in several areas of property. Any help appreciated. |
| MAS Archive |
Sort collected publications and books in Michigan Audubon archive, record data, some items may be destroyed, some sold, reorganize on shelving. |
| Lake Bluff History Scrapbook |
Organize and mount all news & magazine articles, letters, fotos, etc. These items are part of the legacy here and need to be preserved. |
| Update Tree Guide |
Check existing tree guide pamphlet against trees in arboretum, check for accuracy, delete dead trees, any new species. Must have knowledge of trees. Should be done before Memorial Day. |
| Tree Tags |
Install tree tags |
| CHORES |
| Picnic Table |
Paint wooden table on lawn by bluff. Sand & smooth before painting.We may have paint/stain in stock |
| Window WashInside |
Glass needs to be cleaned from the inside. This can be done a few windows at a time over a period or room by room. We may have cleaner (or vinegar & water?) |
| Window Wash Outside |
Everyone’s favorite job! In early summer we’ll use a rigid hose extension with a sponge attached and do this probably once. |
| Chair Repair |
Some molded plastic chairs have lost a screw holding the seat to frame. Reinstall screws using an [anerobic] adhesive. Work must be done in garage on top of cardboard/papers so chairs must be carried up/down stairs or in/out. |
| Spring Cleaning |
‘Deep clean’ dust and vacuum first floor and 2nd floor public areas |
| Trail Repair |
There are two areas where the tread is filled with soil: east end bridge approaches and Ridge Trail hanging bench. We need to re-fill and compact to a sloped berm. This would require skimming soil from a ‘borrow pit’ in the forest nearby and tamping it on the tread. Tools available. This is physical work but not as hard as it may sound. Good for a small group. |
| Door Repair 1 |
Kitchen door won’t close; needs to be planed. Must be skilled woodworker. |
| Door Repair 2 |
Sliding pocket door leading to basement hard to open/close, ‘sticks’. Must be experienced carpenter. |
| Steel Fence Opening |
Remove section of old pool fence. Will become new access to main lawn for bries and genral pubic. Must be removable or hinged. Design must be approved before proceeding. |
| Mailbox |
Paint steel post. Sand rust, prime and apply Rustoleum. Repair mailbox/s if required. Must get neighbors approval. |
| Stable Doors |
Repair right overhead door lock; make left door operational: need key; check in house |
| Prune Shrubs |
Thin out some of the overgrown shrubs like verbenum. Must have pruning training/experience. Flowering shrubs should be pruned after flowering. |
| Garage Storm Door Lock |
The storm door between the house and garage can be locked from inside only. For security, we’d like a keyed lock so the door can be locked or opened from in or out. |
| Garage Door Lock |
Garage door’s are motorized and the manual locking mechanism has been removed. We’d like to reinstall the locking mechanism so we can possibly disconnect the opener. Anyone know where to get the parts and how to install? |
