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Volunteer
Why We Need Your Help
IBP was started when volunteers started sending books from Mrs. Van Meter's basement, and we still need your help! We are a lean organization, a staff of five, with just two full-time employees. We send more than 150,000 books to over 40 developing countries every year, but we cannot do it alone.
What Volunteers Do
 Cleaning and sorting books in the warehouse - IBP moved into its warehouse in 1984, and over the years it has accumulated titles that are no longer appropriate to send overseas. Volunteers sort books and organize the warehouse, so that only sendable books are kept. We are more efficient in sending our books when our warehouse is organized.
Sort and stock books - We receive donations of books five days a week. Volunteers sort books to determine whether they should be sent or sold, and then stock the sendable books in our warehouse.
Graphic design - Some volunteers have good design skills and can use them to make marketing materials such as IBP promotional cards or t-shirts. IBP tries to keep its overhead low, so using volunteers is a great way to avoid expensive marketing fees.
 Packing books - IBP sends 6-10 sea containers a year, and some of them come directly from our warehouse. Volunteers are needed for "packing parties", to pack the 10,000 to 20,000 books in boxes for one sea container. Experienced volunteers can also hand-pick and pack books for individual shipments of M-bags.
Cashier IBP's used book sale - Three times a year, IBP holds its half-price sale. Volunteer cashiers help us check out customers and tell them about IBP.
Be an IBP Ambassador - Volunteers can also simply tell others about what IBP does, including directing others to our blog and Facebook page.
How Volunteers Operate
Volunteering hours -
Monday 9am-12pm
Tuesday 1pm-5pm
Thursday 9am-12pm
Friday 1pm-5pm
Exceptions are made for large groups and sea container packing parties which usually take place on a Saturday.
Large groups - We try to limit our large groups to 15 volunteers at a time. It is generally hard to manage more people than that, because we are such a small staff. If your group is interested in volunteering at IBP, please contact us at 859-254-6771. Because most volunteer tasks involve warehouse work, IBP very rarely accepts volunteers younger than 15.
To volunteer, email our Volunteer Coordinator or call 859-254-6771. |
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