Volunteer Opportunities 

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with HAF.  Our nationwide volunteers are crucial to the success of the organization as there is tremendous amount of work to accomplish with limited resources. Prior to applying, please thoroughly review HAF's website to develop a better understanding of our work and our stance on various issues.
 
Requirements & Application Process
 
  1. HAF requires all volunteers to be active members of HAF. If you are not sure whether your membership is active and to confirm that we have your updated contact details, please contact our Office Administrator (301) 770-7835 or email office at hafsite dot org. To become a HAF member or to renew, please click on http://hafsite.org/join.
  2. Send the following information to volunteer at hafsite dot org:
    1. Your resume or CV as a word document or pdf file.
    2. A personal statement with the following:
      1. Two references (name, email, phone and in what capacity you know them) that we can contact to learn more about you and your potential for work with HAF. References may NOT be family members.
      2. Number of hours per week you can commit to HAF. Please be realistic. (i.e. 2 hours, 5 hours)
      3. Length of time you wish to volunteer. (i.e. 2 months, 6 months, 1 year)
      4. Describe your goals, skill set, background and interests as it relates to the HAF.  We will use this information to assist in finding a role both beneficial to you and HAF.
      5. Review the open roles below and list those role(s) that interest you.
  3. Within 2 weeks of submitting all of the information requested and becoming an HAF member, we will contact you about your application. As positions are in flux, the listing below may not reflect the most up-to-date information on positions available. HAF retains the right to not fill a position. HAF also retains the right to decline an applicant a particular position if he/she does not fall within the HAF's vision.
    4.  
 
 
The following positions are currently open for application:
 
HAF Party Host
This is a one time (or more) event. The next time you have friends or family over, share the good work of HAF and encourage your friends to join the cause. HAF will send you a package including a DVD, print material, membership forms (with a return envelope) and access to an online PPT to share with friends. Be an ambassador for HAF and help build our membership from the comfort of your own home!
Required Time Commitment: The duration is up to you but the HAF presentation can take 30-60 minutes. Food costs would be on the host. A DVD player and computer are needed.
Skill Requirements: Friendliness and enthusiasm are keys to success.
 
Regional Membership Coordinator
Volunteers will be tasked with spreading the word about HAF - educating individuals in the volunteer's local community about the mission and work of HAF, and building support in the form of members and volunteers. Volunteers should consider ideas such as organizing HAF booths at local events, such as Diwali/Holi festivals or melas; contacting their local temple or Samaj membership to inform them of HAF.
Required Time Commitment: 2+ hours per week for at least one year
Skill Requirements: Fluency in English, experience with email, good understanding of HAF's work, basic understanding of Hinduism
 
Call Center Volunteer
Volunteers will make calls from their personal phones to HAF supporters about upcoming events, campaigns and membership and fundraising drives.
Required Time Commitment: 2+ hours per week, mostly in evenings and weekends, for at least 6 months
Skill Requirements: Fluency in English and ability to speak well over the phone. While not required, sales or telemarketing experience would be useful.
 
Legal Advisory Team Member
Join HAFLAT! - HAF's Legal Advisory Team. Lawyers will be informed of issues where input is needed, both as a legal professional and as a Hindu American. HAFLAT will guide HAF's legal activism.
Required Time Commitment: 2+ hour per month for at least 6 months
Skill Requirements: Must be a bar-certified attorney.
 
Data Entry Assistant
Volunteers will assist with basic data entry into HAF's main database,
Required Time Commitment: 2+ hours per week during office hours (9am - 5:30pm)
Skill Requirements: Basic typing skills
Additional Requirements: Must be able to regularly commute to HAF's Rockville, MD office (transportation costs will not be reimbursed)
 
Database Compilation Assistant
As HAF increases its advocacy efforts, it needs to reach a larger number of Hindu American community members. The Hindu American database will allow the Foundation to connect with a broader audience and increase its outreach and visibility. Volunteers will be provided with guidelines and templates to conduct research.
Required Time Commitment: 2+ hours per week for at least 3 months
Skill Requirements: Familiarity with the Internet, MS Excel & Google spreadsheet
Additional Requirements: Must be based in the US
 
Database Cleanup Assistant
Volunteers will help with updating HAF's database by contacting supporters to get current contact details, and cleaning up duplicate and invalid entries.
Required Time Commitment: 2+ hours per week during
Skill Requirements: Basic typing skills

Media Writer
Individuals experienced in writing press releases and communicating with the media are needed to formulate press releases, editorials and brainstorm ideas for future stories for greater coverage.
Time Commitment: 3-5 hours weekly for at least one year
Skills needed: Prior press experience
 
Media Outreach Representative
Volunteers will be tasked with outreach to media, contacting journalists who cover issues and topics of interest to HAF. This work will require online research, data collection on spreadsheets, emailing, and some phone calling using a personal phone.
Time Commitment: 2+ hours weekly with daily email use, for at least 6 months
Skills needed: Familiarity with MS Excel, Google spreadsheet, and the Internet, and good writing skills
 
Media Watchdog
With HAF and issues of concern to HAF being mentioned frequently in blogs and other fora on the Internet, HAF requires a volunteer to regularly monitor select sites and promote HAF's viewpoint when needed.
Time Commitment: 2+ hours weekly, but with daily monitoring required given urgency of some media issues for at least 6 months.
Skills needed: Familiarity the internet and ability to write carefully if needed
 
Project Outreach Assistants
HAF has several projects under development. A Project Outreach Assistant would provide tactical assistance to an HAF Project Lead by conducting specific outreach and marketing of the project.
Time Commitment: 2+ hours weekly for at least 6 months
Skills needed: Familiarity the Internet, creativity, writing skills, and strategic thinking
 
Project Coordinator
HAF has many projects and produces several reports. Volunteers would be involved in intensive project development involving research, analysis, writing, marketing, and project release with a small team and HAF's Executive Council.
Time Commitment: 8-10 hours of fairly intensive work weekly for at least one year, involving daily email checks & frequent phone calls among team members. Volunteers will be required to submit biweekly progress reports to HAF's Managing Director.
Skill Requirements: Volunteers will need to show a strong understanding of HAF's mission and the particular project in need of assistance, and must have been involved in some aspect of HAF's work for at least one year. Detail oriented personality, creative thinking, and skills in doing researching & writing are required.
 
Grant Writer
HAF is working on issues that may be eligible for grants from Foundations, individuals, and governments. A grant writer would be responsible for finding grants that HAF would be eligible for, writing a grant application in coordination with HAF staff, and following up on the application.
Time Commitment: 2+ hours weekly for at least 6 months
Skills needed: Experience with grant writing is required. Familiarity the Internet, creativity, writing skills, and strategic thinking are important.
 
HAF Campus Outreach Coordinator
This role involves increasing awareness of HAF and its work on college campuses. The goal would be to increase student participation in HAF, build partnerships between HAF and campus organizations, and to educate the campus community about HAF.
Time Commitment: 2+ hours weekly for the duration of the college year
Skills needed: Strategic thinking and outgoing personality. Ideally, a student would be best for this role, but faculty and other individuals in the campus community are eligible.
 
Regional Public Policy Associate
HAF does most public policy work out of its Washington, D.C. office. However, HAF currently does not have fully staffed regional offices. Therefore, there is a need for local volunteers to educate local, state, and Congressional offices in their area about issues of concern to the Hindu American community. These individuals would work close with HAF's Director of Public Policy who is based out of Washington, D.C. and Managing Director.
Time Commitment: 2+ hours weekly for at least one year
Skills needed: Knowledge of government, networking and communication skills, and writing ability are key skills needed.