If you share our Cooperative values, enjoy interacting with people and want to contribute in a positive and beneficial way we’d like to hear from you! Throughout the year volunteers are needed, and from a one-time event to an on-going commitment there are many ways to get involved within your stores and in your community. To show our appreciation, we can offer 18% discount shopping cards to volunteers for their time. Each card allows the cardholder one shopping trip at an 18% discount. Volunteers get one card for each hour of service rendered.
A Little History La Montanita relied on member owners as volunteer help for many years. These volunteers were the backbone of the Co-op. In the early 1990’s the Department of Labor decreed that we could no longer utilize volunteers in any position they deemed a “wage labor” job. Members could participate in what the Department of Labor called outreach programs and in areas supervised by the Board of Directors. You can participate in your Co-op, have fun, help build your community and earn a discount all at the same time!
Member Volunteer Opportunities: Members can participate in one or more of the following program areas: Community Capacity Building (volunteering for a La Montanita partner nonprofit organization, see a complete list below), Schools and Education (volunteering for a La Montanita partner school or educational organization), Staff Wellness (volunteering to provide wellness services like massage, acupuncture, counseling to coop staff), and Member Engagement (volunteering in La Montanita stores to help with shopper demos, deliver newsletters, shop for and deliver groceries to seniors and homebound people, and table at special events.)
How it works:
Volunteers must be co-op members.
Volunteers are approved by the membership department to become part of the program and are added to the volunteer roster. You must submit the form below to the membership department before you are eligible to volunteer for the co-op.
Volunteers download Volunteer Worksheets here, or pick-up Volunteer Worksheets at any co-op information desk to document their volunteer hours.
Volunteers perform work in one of four program areas. Volunteers may work up to, but not over, 12 hours per month.
Worksheets must be signed by the volunteer’s supervisor and brought to any info desk within two weeks of service.
Signed Worksheets are exchanged for Discount Shopping Cards at any info desk.
What we expect of our member participants:
Member participants are expected to be polite, respectful and considerate.
Please show up on time and be ready to work. If for some reason you are unable to do your shift call your volunteer coordinator or the co-op staff person you are working with. Member participants if possible, should find another household or co-op member to replace them. Remember when you sign up for a shift we and other members of the community are counting on you.
Member participants must dress appropriately for the job they are going to do. Closed toe shoes are highly recommended for all volunteer work. Be sure to check with your volunteer coordinator or co-op staff person to determine if there are additional dress requirements.
The importance of cleanliness cannot be stressed enough, especially when handling food. Wash hands frequently when appropriate during your shift and always after using the lavatories.
Bring a blank Volunteer Worksheet with you. Please do not expect the organization you are volunteering with to have these on hand.
Have fun!
To participate, register as a volunteer by filling in the following form.
You must be registered with the Volunteer Program to be able to volunteer for the co-op.
Or call: Robin at 217-2027, or toll free at 877-775-COOP (2667), or...Sarah at 217-2016
Current Community Capacity Partner Organizations and Descriptions
Below is a list of all of the organizations we currently partner with in our Community Capacity Building program area. Just because an organization is on our list, does not necessarily mean that they are currently seeking volunteers. Please submit the form above or call the membership department and we will help you find an organization that is seeking volunteers and meets your interests and schedule.
If you are an organization in need of volunteers, and would like to become one of our Community Capacity Partners, please note that your group must me be (or be umbrellaed by) a charitable organization recognized by the IRS as a 501c3. We do not partner with any organizations affiliated in any way with political campaigns or lobbying activity. If your group meets these requirements and would like to partner with La Montanita, send an email to memb@lamontanita.coop. In the email please include the following information:
Organization Name
Name, email and phone of the principle point of contact
EIN Number
Brief description of the services your organization provides and why it would be a good partner for La Montanita
Brief description of the volunteer opportunities your organization offers
Albuquerque
Agora Crisis Center - Help-line
Albuquerque Community Bike Recycling Program - Not-for-profit volunteer group that recycles bicycles, makes them rideable, and then gives them to people in need.
Albuquerque Opportunity Center - Provide skill development to the unemployed.
Albuquerque Center for Peace and Justice - Educational projects
Albuquerque Wildlife Federation - Works to protect access to wildlife and wild lands.
Big Brother Big Sister - Mentoring youth
Casa Esperanza - Home away from home for families fighting cancer.
Channel 27 - Providing public access to the media
Citizens for Alternatives to Radioactive Dumping – Educational Projects
Community Renovation Empowering Women - fostering safe and secure communities that improve the lives of women and children
Cuidando los Ninos - Free therapeutic childcare to homeless families
Dragon Farm - Helping to reconnect youth to Nature through Agriculture and Tradition
Habitat for Humanity - Re-Store- recycled building materials
HawkWatch International - During Migration season on the mountain, February through May
Keshet Dance Company - Professional company of dance artists committed to inspiring passion and opening unlimited possibilities through the experience of dance.
Los Alamos Study Group - Education projects relating to activities at Los Alamos
National Hispanic Cultural Center - Dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and advancement of Hispanic culture, arts, and humanities
Native American Community Academy - Strengthening communities by developing strong leaders who are academically prepared, secure in their identity and healthy in heart mind and spirit
New Mexico AIDS Services - Provides comprehensive services, support and prevention education.
NM Wilderness Alliance - Works to protect and restore wildlands and wilderness areas in the state.
OFFCenter Community Arts Project - Youth and Community Arts Center
PB&J Family Services - Strengthen and support children/families
Peacecraft - Sales of cooperatively made and fair trade arts and crafts
Project PeacePal - A global community with local roots, connecting young people throughout the world with a penpal in another country.
Project Share - Focused on feeding the hungry and homeless in Albuquerque
Rape Crisis Center - Must complete a special training
Rio Grande Community Farm - Encouraging the practice of organic and sustainable community based agricultural methods in our cities.
Shelter From Domestic Violence - Providing the courage to change.
Talking Talons Thrift Store and Rescue Center - East Mountain area opportunity
Tierra Madre Waldorf School - Offering pre-K and Kindergarten classes using a contemporary Waldorf curriculum.
Wise Men / Wise Women Mentorship Program - Mentoring children of prisoners
Santa Fe
Acequia Madre Elementary School - School parents only, please
Big Brother Big Sister - Mentoring youth
Bioneers – Environmental and Social leadership
Concerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety - Education projects
Earth Care International - Sustainability Education
Ecoversity - Educational center teaching sustainable earth-based vocations
Equestars - Therapeutic horse rides for differently-abled people
Farm to Table - promote local agriculture through education and community outreach
Fine Arts for Children and Teens (FACT)- Teaches art making, literacy, and life skills
Food Depot - Ending hunger in Northern New Mexico
Friends of Santa Fe Library - Promotes reading and learning
Habitat for Humanity - Re-Store
Hope HOWSE International - Non-denominational spiritual action to foster human dignity, peace and respect
KSFR Radio - public radio
Kitchen Angels - Provide nutritious prepared meals to homebound individuals living with life-challenging conditions
NM Wilderness Alliance - Works to the protect and restore wildlands and wilderness areas in the state
Santa Fe County Duck Stretchers - Stretching ducks and related migratory waterfowl in Santa Fe county
Santa Fe Raptor Center - Assists in the rehabilitation, release, and preservation of New Mexico's wild birds
Santa Fe Watershed Association - Once a month River cleanup crews
St Elizabeth’s Homeless Shelter - In special need of building maintenance
Warehouse 21 Teen Arts - Art and cultural center for youth under 21 years of age
Wild Earth Guardians - Protects and restores wildlife, wild rivers and wild places in the American West
Wise Fool Santa Fe - Promoting social justice through the arts of circus, puppetry and theatre
