Several opportunities are available for those volunteers wishing to do more than (or instead of) volunteering as leaders and sidewalkers. If volunteering at the riding center doesn't work out, but you want to promote our cause, consider volunteering for one of the non-horsey projects. All volunteers are encouraged to spread the word about Heads Up! to friends, clubs, and organizations who would be interested in providing financial support, volunteers, or riders. If you have a contact you would like us to follow up on, tell a staff member, and he or she will get in touch with the right person.
Horse-related Opportunities
Volunteer Captain: Volunteer captain helps train new volunteers at orientation and during the session, helps coordinate volunteers for special events, and meets with the staff once a session to evaluate the program from the volunteers' point of view. Requirements include at least two sessions with Heads Up!, good working knowledge of tacking, grooming, and how to help with the riders.
Schooling: Our horses need periodic tune-ups to keep them interested and responsive in their work in the therapeutic setting. Experienced riders capable of performing elementary dressage movements (leg yields, turn on the forehand, etc . . .), lunging the horse to bend through turns, in addition to smooth gait transitions, are eligible.
Instructor Training: Heads Up! can always use certified instructors to offer more hours of therapeutic classes. Please contact Rick Whitfield if you are interested.
Assorted services/projects: Tack cleaning and repair, carpentry (building jumps, shelves, etc . . .), electrical or plumbing services, poster design, and taking pictures are just some of the opportunities currently available. Workdays are held periodically, generally prior to a special event or before a session, to give the riding center and the horses a major Asprucing up.
Non-horse Opportunities
Interested individuals are welcome to join any of the following committees active in meeting the administrative and financial needs of Heads Up!
Bylaws/legislation
Budget/finance/fund raising
Education and program development
Volunteer coordination
Client operations
Facility operations
Media/PR
Clubs & Organizations: identify and cultivate clubs and organizations in the community willing to offer financial assistance and/or volunteers.
Horse clubs: contact horse clubs for funding, exhibition rides, tack donations, etc . . . Establish relationships with large horse clubs for club-sponsored special events benefitting Heads Up!
Foundations & Grants: help identify foundations or grants with a potential for donating to Heads Up!
Special Events: help raise money, coordinate food, organize volunteers, obtain equipment, make posters, arrange publicity or entertainment for various occasions.
Long range planning: provide your insight and expertise to promote a financially successful program for the next decade. Help identify possible successful special events and ways of balancing activity levels more evenly. Identify new rider groups and evaluate marketing and communications.
Public relations/marketing: submit periodic press releases as needed. Obtain media coverage, striving for higher community visibility. Assist in writing proposals and other written materials.
Rider recruitment: solicit new clients, both individuals and organizations, to maximize the utilization of the program and to help create community awareness. Provide support to riders and parents to assist in the communications of our growing organization.
Volunteers: arrange and oversee volunteer support for the riding program, special events, and office needs. Establish contacts with various groups interested in Heads Up!
Office help: writing thank you notes, compiling rider packets, volunteer packets, assemble mailings, and other miscellaneous tasks
Contact
Rick Whitfield, Executive Director
919-542-6207
headsuptrp2@embarqmail.com
PO Box 190, Pittsboro, NC 27312
