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Volunteer Opportunities and Internships

"I love volunteering for NAMI. It's a great way to support people with mental illness."

Volunteer

Click here for an e-mailable volunteer application, or click here for a pdf volunteer application.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with NAMI Minnesota. The first step in becoming a volunteer is to fill out and return the volunteer application. Once we receive it, we will contact you to set up an interview where we can discuss your interests and our available opportunities. For more information, please contact volunteer resources director Laura Winterstein at 651-645-2948 x 110 or lwinterstein@nami.org.

Receptionist
Volunteers are needed to greet visitors, answer and direct phone calls, and complete clerical tasks as time allows.  The receptionist will be the first point of contact for the office and will help set a friendly and helpful tone. This is an ongoing opportunity located in our St. Paul office.  The receptionist shifts are Monday – Friday from 9:30 – 1 or 1 – 4:30 with a commitment of two shifts a month for at least six months.
 
Office Assistant
Volunteers are needed to keep the NAMI Minnesota office running smoothly. Office assistants will complete a variety of tasks including, but not limited to, filling orders for information, books, and DVDs; sending out new member packets; putting together training materials; and completing small and bulk mailings. This is an ongoing opportunity located in our St. Paul office.  Office assistants can commit to a regular schedule or be on-call as projects arise.
 
Educational Outreach
We are looking for people who want to educate the public about all the work that NAMI Minnesota does.  Educational outreach volunteers will attend events and resource fairs on NAMI's behalf.  Volunteers will staff an information table by passing out NAMI Minnesota literature and answering basic questions. This is an ongoing on-call opportunity available statewide with a one time required training.
 
Speakers’ Bureau
If you have personal experience living with a mental illness or are a friend or family member of a person living with mental illness, we would like you to share your story.  Speakers will present a NAMI Minnesota written public awareness talk into which they can weave their own stories.  Interested applicants will have to take and pass a public speaking training before being accepted into the speakers’ bureau. This is an ongoing on-call opportunity available statewide. 
 
NAMIWalks
Volunteers are needed to assist on the day of the walk with registration, set-up, route stations, and clean up.  To help with the planning of the event, volunteers can join the NAMIWalks committee. NAMIWalks will be held Saturday, September 25, 2010.
 
Committee Member
Volunteers are needed to serve on NAMI’s committees: Program Development, Legislative, Major Gifts, Special Events, and NAMIWalks. This is an ongoing opportunity with a monthly commitment of approximately 4 hours. Committees either meet in our St. Paul office or over the telephone.
 
Family-to-Family Support Group Facilitator
Volunteer leaders are needed to lead support groups for friends and family of people living with mental illness.  Family-to-Family support groups offer hope and support.  Interested applicants must have a friend or family member living with mental illness. This is an ongoing opportunity available statewide with a monthly commitment of 2-3 hours and a one time required training.

NAMI Connection Support Group Facilitator
Volunteer leaders are needed to lead support groups for people living with mental illness.  NAMI Connection support groups provide an opportunity to learn and practice coping skills along with receiving emotional support and practical help for recovery. Interested applicants must be a person living with mental illness. This is an ongoing opportunity available statewide with a weekly commitment of 2-3 hours and a one-time required training.

NAMI in the Lobby
NAMI in the Lobby is a new outreach and support program being offered by NAMI Minnesota in collaboration with its local affiliates. The goal of the program is to provide support and resources to families who have a loved one who is hospitalized in an inpatient psychiatric unit.  NAMI in the Lobby volunteers will be available twice a month for a period of two hours during visiting hours.  See more, here.

Open Door Anxiety and Panic Support Group Facilitator
Volunteer leaders are needed to lead support groups for people living with an anxiety or panic disorder. Open Door anxiety and panic support groups follow a standard format that includes emotional support and coping strategies for anxiety management and lifestyle awareness.  Interested applicants must be living with an anxiety or panic disorder. This is an ongoing opportunity available statewide with a monthly commitment of 2-3 hours and a one-time required training.
 
Parent Support Group Facilitator
Volunteer leaders are needed to lead support groups for parents of children living with mental illnesses.  Parent support groups are an opportunity for parents and caregivers of children living with mental illness to get together to share similar experiences, discover resources, and learn coping skills.  Interested applicants must be a parent or caregiver of a child living with a mental illness.  This is an ongoing opportunity available statewide with a monthly commitment of 2-3 hours and a one time required training.
 
Hope for Recovery Facilitator
Volunteer instructors are needed to lead the Hope for Recovery workshops for families of people living with mental illness.  Hope for Recovery is a one day workshop that offers families information and practical strategies for dealing with the complexities of mental illness.  The participants will learn about mental health disorders and information on the mental health system in Minnesota.  Interested applicants must have a family member living with mental illness and ideally should be a past Hope for Recovery participant. This is a statewide opportunity that requires a one day commitment of 8 hours and a one time training.
 
Family-to-Family Facilitator
Volunteer instructors are needed to lead Family-to-Family classes for family and friends of people living with mental illness.  Family-to-Family is a twelve week class that offers information on mental illnesses, encouragement, and empowerment.  Interested applicants must have a family member living with mental illness and ideally should be a past Family-to-Family participant. This is a statewide opportunity that requires a 12 week commitment of 4 hours a week and a one time training.
 
Kidshops Facilitator
Volunteer instructors are needed to lead Kidshops classes for children (ages 7-17) who have a sibling or parent living with a mental illness.  Kidshops is a one day class that provides an opportunity for children to learn more about mental illness, establish friendships, and build support.  Interested applicants must have a sibling or parent living with mental illness. This requires a one day commitment of approximately 3-4 hours and a one time training.  Kidshop is currently available in the Twin Cities but will be expanding statewide.

Internships

NAMI Minnesota Internship Application, here.

NAMI Minnesota offers a variety of internships throughout the year.  All of the internships are unpaid but we will assist you in meeting the requirements of your school's internship program and will provide letters of recommendation and references based on your performance.

NAMI Minnesota is now accepting applications for fall interns.  Internships are available in: advocacy writing, development, policy research, and volunteer resources.  The new media internship will not be offered this fall.  The deadline to apply has been extended to Monday, August 10. Internship descriptions are shown below. Questions can be directed to Laura Winterstein, volunteer resources director, at 651-645-2948 x110 or lwinterstein@nami.org. To apply for an internship, please fill out the internship application.

Internship Application (PDF)
Internship Application (Electronic)

Internship Deadlines
Fall Semester:  August 10
Spring Semester:  January 1
Summer:  May 1

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Laura Winterstein, volunteer resources director, at 651-645-2948 x110 or lwinterstein@nami.org.

Advocacy Writing Intern
Each week during Minnesota's legislative session, a personal story of someone living with mental illness is delivered to each of the legislators. These stories provide a personal face to NAMI Minnesota's legislative goals. The advocacy writing intern will interview people and then craft a one page narrative based on that interview.

Availability:  Fall Semester
Time Commitment: 8 to 16 Hours per Week with a 3 Month Minimum
Commitment

"The personal stories program is an extraordinary opportunity for individuals coping with mental illness to have their voices heard. Working on the personal stories program changed the way I think about what it means to have a mental illness.  I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to make a difference!"  - Adam, Fall 2007

Development Intern
The development intern will be able to experience all aspects of the development department including donor development, event planning, and communications. This internship will be heavily focused on assisting with event planning for informational meetings (quarterly), the spring gala (May), and NAMIWalks (September). Fifty percent of NAMI Minnesota's budget comes from individual donors and the proceeds from fundraising events. The work the development intern does will contribute to the success of these ventures leading to continued monetary support for NAMI Minnesota's programs.

Availability:  Fall Semester, Spring Semester, Summer
Time Commitment: 10 to 15 Hours per Week with a 3 Month Minimum Commitment

Grants Intern
This internship will help NAMI Minnesota prepare for the next fiscal year of grant proposals.  The grants intern will update NAMI Minnesota’s organizational overview, write separate templates for each program (15 – 20), research new grant prospects, and assist with grant management. This position is invaluable in providing well written templates that will allow the staff the flexibility to readily respond to grant opportunities throughout the year.

Availability:  Summer
Time Commitment:  15 to 20 Hours per Week with a 3 Month Minimum Commitment

Juvenile Justice Intern
NAMI Minnesota develops written materials on key topics for use by adults with mental illness and their families.  The juvenile justice intern would help develop a booklet on juvenile justice. This includes researching the juvenile justice system, gathering personal stories from teenagers and their parents, researching the screening protocol, writing
the booklet, obtaining feedback from parents and professionals, and finalizing the booklet. The work of the juvenile justice intern would be overseen by an attorney who would take responsibility for the work.

Availability:   Summer
Time Commitment: 10 to 20 Hours per Week with a 3 Month Minimum
Commitment

New Media Intern
The new media intern will help NAMI Minnesota understand how to carry its message into the growing field of social media and help develop an online presence beyond its own website.

Availability:  Fall Semester, Spring Semester, Summer
Time Commitment: 4 to 6 Hours per Week with a 3 Month Minimum Commitment

Public Policy Intern
Advocacy efforts are a major part of NAMI Minnesota's work. NAMI Minnesota is an active participant on work groups and committees that address issues related to mental illness.  NAMI Minnesota maintains a strong presence at the Minnesota Legislature by advocating and supporting issues important to people living with mental illness and their families. The policy intern will assist the executive director with advocacy by researching and tracking bills, attending and summarizing meetings, and participating in grassroots organizing.

Availability: Spring Semester
Time Commitment: 10 Hours per Week with a 3 Month Minimum Commitment

Policy Research Intern
Advocacy efforts are a major part of NAMI Minnesota's work. NAMI Minnesota is an active participant on work groups and committees that address issues related to mental illness and NAMI Minnesota maintains a strong presence at the Minnesota Legislature by advocating and supporting issues important to people living with mental illness and their families. The policy research intern will assist the executive director by researching topics related to work groups, committees, and legislative goals.

Availability:  Fall Semester, Summer
Time Commitment: 10 to 15 Hours per Week with 3 Month Minimum Commitment

"My internship with NAMI Minnesota was enormously rewarding.  I learned more than I could have predicted about the many systems that people and families experiencing mental illness deal with on a daily basis, how policies in those systems affect peoples' lives, and how to create positive change. The knowledge and skills I gained have been indispensable as I finish my degree and look forward to a career in social work."  - Mara, Summer 2008

Volunteer Resources Intern
The volunteer resources intern will get to experience the entire process of volunteer coordination including recruitment, screening and interviewing, placement, evaluation, and appreciation.  The spring intern will assist with planning the annual volunteer appreciation picnic and ice cream social and the summer intern will assist with coordinating volunteers for NAMI Minnesota's booth in the education building at the state fair and for NAMIWalks.

Availability:  Fall Semester, Spring Semester, Summer
Time Commitment: 6 to 10 Hours per Week with a 3 Month Minimum
Commitment

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