UC Davis Volunteer Opportunities

Make Your Meetings More Active

Include items on your meeting agenda that require participants to get out of their seats (breakout groups, stand and write ideas on an easel).
Choose movement friendly meeting locations (walkable neighborhoods, on-site gym, nearby park).
Hire a professional instructor (pilates, yoga, tai chi, stretching, Zumba) to lead a class before or during the meeting.
Point out the stairs and encourage attendees to use them. Consider including the location of stairs in meeting directions or putting arrows to the stairs in front of elevators.
Organize a group walk early in the morning, during a break or before/after dinner.
Consider incorporating standing ovations after each speaker to encourage participants to stand and stretch.

Standing Breaks

At least once an hour, participants should be encouraged to stand up to improve blood circulation, boost metabolism, and relieve physical discomfort from sitting for prolonged periods of time.
Announce that it is fine to stand up and move around, as needed. If possible, provide raised tables for those electing to stand during the meeting.

Stretch Breaks

Stretch breaks help participants wake up their bodies and minds.
Encourage people to stand up and stretch in place.
Try playing a Healthy UC Davis WakeBreak video! These instructor-led stretch videos range from 4 to 15 minutes.

Breathing Exercise

Focused breathing is an energizing activity that can help relax and clear your mind. Simply inhale for four seconds, hold it for seven seconds, and exhale for eight seconds.

Suggested Activity Agendas

LENGTH OF MEETING	STANDING BREAK	STRETCH BREAKS	BREATHING BREAKS	MOVEMENT BREAKS	WALKING BREAKS
50 - 60 min	x		x
2 - 4 hours	x	x	x	x
All Day	x	x	x	x	x

A way to build community is to share individual and collective expertise, time and talents. Although most volunteer to help others, side benefits may include new friendships, career exploration, discovery, learning and improved physical and mental health.

Campus Volunteer Opportunities

Arboretum and Public Garden - The UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden is a living museum, an outdoor classroom, a public garden with over 4,000 kinds of trees and plants and a beautiful place for active recreation or peaceful contemplation.
- As a volunteer, you can learn new skills, meet other people who share your interests, and feel wonderful about supporting the work of the Arboretum. All new gardeners, nursery assistants, and education volunteers participate in a seven-week training class that prepares them for their volunteer experiences at the Arboretum. The training is offered once a year and usually begins in mid-October.
- The Arboretum also welcomes short-term and one-time volunteers for community workdays, bonus weeding days, tree plantings, and other one-time volunteer events. Sign up to get notified about these opportunities.
Bohart Museum of Entomology - You don't need to be an entomologist to help the Bohart thrive! Over the years many people have loaned their time and talents to making the Bohart the world-class research collection and museum that it is today.
Campus Book Project
Chancellor's Administrative Advisory Committees
Community Service Resource Center - Connects campus members with the community at large through such organizations as the Peace Corps, and Forest Service.
Global Learning Hub, a part of Global Affairs - Engage in global community service virtually.
Haagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven - Some volunteer tasks include routine garden maintenance such as planting, weeding, mulching, etc. Volunteers also do plant propagation and help at garden events.
Manetti Shrem Museum of Art - The Manetti Shrem Museum welcomes volunteers as part of the ART Friends Volunteer Auxiliary, which offers a variety of opportunities to be part of expanding the museum’s outreach and creating convivial art experiences in the museum’s galleries and program spaces.
UC Davis Nutrition Department - Clinical Studies is always looking for volunteers. Such studies includes: vegetable juice research study, cocoa-based snack bar study, cranberry study, Heart Health and Tomatoes.
UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Volunteer Opportunities:
Volunteer Davis Club - View or post online volunteering opportunities.
UC Davis Health Volunteer Services

Community Volunteer Opportunities

NorCal Resist volunteer page: https://www.norcalresist.org/get-involved.html

Volunteer Match: https://solutions.volunteermatch.org/

Volunteer match article: https://blogs.volunteermatch.org/how-to-volunteer-5-simple-steps-to-finding-meaning-making-a-difference

City of Davis: https://www.cityofdavis.org/city-hall/parks-and-community-services/volunteer-opportunities

California Volunteers: https://www.californiavolunteers.ca.gov/volunteer-opportunities/

Sacramento County Volunteering: https://www.saccounty.gov/Government/GetInvolved/Pages/Volunteer.aspx

CERT (Community Emergency Response Team): https://sfdcert.org