Why volunteer for SFWA?

SFWA is a volunteer-driven 501(c)3 organization. We depend on volunteers to run many of our programs and services. Additionally, volunteering is a great way to meet people, acquire new skills, and contribute to your community.

We currently have a variety of volunteer opportunities, from helping out for an hour or two at a convention or at our annual Nebula Conference and Awards Ceremony to more long-term options like joining one of our committees or helping with website/database updates. Although some specific volunteer opportunities do require SFWA membership, we have a variety of volunteer needs that do not require you to be a member of the organization.

If you’d like to volunteer for SFWA (even if you’re not a member), please fill out our volunteer survey. The survey collects information that will help us match you to volunteer opportunities. If you have skills or expertise that you think might be useful to SFWA, let us know!

In addition, below are just a few of our current opportunities. If you are interested in helping out with any of these particular needs, please email Volunteers@sfwa.org. Our Volunteer Coordinator will follow-up regarding your availability and volunteer interests. We look forward to hearing from you.

Open to Members & Nonmembers

• Outreach Assistance for SFWA’s Givers Grants: The SFWA Board is looking for a volunteer to assist with outreach to organizations or individuals that might be eligible for a SFWA Givers Grant and encouraging them to apply. The Board is particularly interested in identifying 501(c)(3) organizations that are doing work that furthers SFWA’s nonprofit mission AND are led by individuals who identify as part of a marginalized group and/or a group that is historically underrepresented within SFWA.

SFWA Members Only

You must be a member of SFWA to serve as a volunteer for the following opportunities:

• Contracts Committee: The Contracts Committee is looking for volunteers for 1–2 hours per week. Experience with a variety of publishing contracts is a must. Formal legal training is helpful. Duties will include participating in committee subforum discussion and helping to write model contracts, contract alerts, and blog posts.

• Financial Advisory Committee: Duties include reviewing monthly and annual financial statements, budgets, and asking questions when appropriate. Sometimes the committee also weighs in on policies for good fiscal management, sending their majority opinion to the Board. The time commitment for this volunteer position is low: typically an hour or two per month to review and reply to email about various financial documents.

• Note Taking: Are you good at taking notes? If so, this might be the right opportunity for you! We are looking for one or more persons who are willing to sit in on various SFWA meetings and take minutes, as well as identify action items and assignments. Meetings take place in Zoom, so stable high-speed internet connection is necessary.