Get Involved!

NMSEA is a dynamic and growing organization! With political support, fluctuating fuel prices and global climate issues, we have lots of opportunity to spread the word about energy conservation, efficiency and renewable energy. Signs of our progress are indicated by the people willing to donate their time to the organization, the many (full) classes we give and participation at many events.

While we have been blessed by a number of new volunteers for all our projects, we have some gaps and some of our very active projects need additional people for the project and/or support. We have some openings on the Solar Fiesta as well as on the Membership, Technology and Advocacy committees. Please volunteer your time and expertise!

Click to check out our opportunities and needs with Events, Publicity, SunPaper (bi-monthly newsletter), local chapters and Chapter Coordination, Solar Advocacy and Technology Committees, SunChaser Program (K-12 education), Solar Fiesta Committee (yearround), Solar Fiesta weekend and Bulk Mail. We also need Volunteer Coordinators, yearround and for the Solar Fiesta itself.

Check this page regularly for changes, additions, etc. For more information or to volunteer, please contact our office. Starred items (*) are of special need. Let us know of your interest by filling out and faxing or mailing the Volunteer Registration Form.

Events

Our thanks to Ray Shortridge who has taken on the position of Event Coordinator! Woo hoo! Contact him if you are interested in helping out at events.

Tabling at Events

  • Set up and maintain a presence at events such as Earth Day, Taos Solar Music Festival, Synergy Fest, events at museums and places like Whole Foods and La Montanita, etc.
  • Give out literature, encourage people to join, gather e-mail addresses of folks who want to know about events.
  • Handle sales of Kill-a-Watt meters, Solar Professional Directories, T-shirts, Solar House Plan CD, etc.

Chapters

Chapter Coordinator*

A great way to meet like-minded people around the state, the Chapter Coordinator administratively supports Chapter Leaders around the state.

Committees

NMSEA is ramping up its services by forming committees. This is a great way to support the organization's infrastructure and the membership.

Membership

We're looking for someone to spearhead this committee. Anticipated projects are: a survey of member interest, a calling campaign to interested members and social events for the membership.

Technology

This committee researches new and unusual technologies for recommendation of their support by our association.

Advocacy

This committee researches and advocates for state and local legislation to promote solar and sustainable technologies.

Graphic Support*

NMSEA seeks a person to help with our marketing and advertising. For Solar Fiesta, we need ad and poster design. We'd also like to update our brochures on NMSEA, our classes, the Solar Fiesta and the SunChaser program. Other tasks may arise.

SunChaser Instructors and Volunteers*

Sunchaser Instructors go out into the schools to give presentations to students of all ages. We'll train you. Requires good people skills and a flexible schedule. During the school year, a lot of presentations are given during school hours. Weekend events are frequent around Earth Day and the next month and sprinkled throughout the year. Volunteers assist our instructors in setting up & presenting programs.

Solar Fiesta Positions

Solar Fiesta takes many minds, hands and strong backs to pull off. We had a great Solar Fiesta Committee last year as well as plenty of volunteers for the first time in several years! Whether you are interested in donating a few hours at the event, interested in a coordinator role or some level of commitment in-between, please contact the office to offer your services.
Volunteer for the weekend of the Solar Fiesta - click here for weekend volunteer opportunities.

Solar Fiesta Managers

We have the core managers for Exhibits, Sponsors, Publicity, Grounds, Tickets, Workshops, Volunteers, Food and Website. The following positions, however, are vacant. The committee meets monthly on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 6-9pm.

  • AV Coordinator for Workshops
    This person will manage all aspects of AV for the Solar Fiesta workshops: contact orgs for donation of equipment - mainly laptops and projectors, schedule AV in the workshop classrooms for presentations, coordinate equipment during the fiesta and return equipment after the event.
  • Silent Auction Coordinator
    This person will contact various organizations to solicit silent auction donations; create signs for the silent auction booth and for donor exhibits, make bidding sheets, set up at the fiesta, manage the bidding throughout, call the winners, collect payment, contact absent winners and provide accounting for the auction.
  • Name Tag Coordinator for Workshops
    This person will create nametags for volunteers, speakers, and exhibitors and prepare for folk to receive them as they get to the Solar Fiesta grounds. Arrange purchase of materials needed. Prepare for creating new tags on-site.

Solar Fiesta Volunteers

Here are most of the tasks that are required to put on the Fiesta. There are a number of miscellaneous ones as well.
  • Before the fiesta
    • Bulk mailings
    • Exhibitor/speaker packet mailings
    • Name tags
    • Help call volunteers
  • Thursday evening
    • Move parking bumpers
    • Mark outdoor booths
  • Friday afternoon
    • Pick up items from the office or storage unit
    • Mark outdoor booths
    • Set up tents and sandbags
    • Set up fencing and banners
    • Deliver chairs, tables and easels
    • Setup trash and recycling boxes and barrels
    • Distribute on-site signage, booth numbers and name signs
    • Set up gates and exhibits
    • Help with volunteer dinner
  • Saturday and Sunday
    • Distribute off-site signage
    • Sell tickets
    • Tend gates (Main, Exhibitor)
    • Help at various locations
      • The NMSEA or other booths
      • The Kids Area
      • AV for the workshops
      • Silent Auction
      • Volunteer/Hospitality
      • Sound booth
      • The Solar Oven
      • Volunteer/speaker check-in
    • Proctor workshops
  • Sunday afternoon
    • Take down signs
    • Gather tables, chairs and easels
    • Gather trash and recycling boxes and barrels
    • Take up booth markers
    • Take down fencing, banners
    • Sweep up, take care of trash
    • Replace parking bumpers
    • Take down Tower of Solar Power
    • Take equipment to storage

Bulk Mail Assistance

Gary Hendel, Lisa Hendel and Mike Prine have and continue to handle bulk mail activities, but it's nice to have additional folk to spread out the task. If you can help with this bi-monthly SunPaper (newsletter) task and sporadic mailings for other NMSEA events and projects, please let us know! Each mailing takes 2-4 hours.

This is a great way to meet other members and get involved at a low time-commitment level. Often mailings occur on Friday afternoons. Along with assisting at chapter meetings, this activity is a great way to begin your volunteer support of NMSEA.