PRESIDENT'S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD
Friends of Plum & Pilot Islands is excited to announce our association with the President’s Volunteer Service Award. This program is administered by AmeriCorps and Points of Light. The President’s Volunteer Service Award is an opportunity for FOPPI to recognize our most outstanding volunteers. This program is open to individuals of almost all ranges and provides Bronze, Silver, Gold and Lifetime awards based on the service benchmarks outlined below.
Award winners receive the following:
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The official President’s Volunteer Service Award pin, coin or medallion.
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A personalized certificate of achievement and letter signed by the President of the United States.
Please go to https://presidentialserviceawards.gov/ for more information and to view the awards themselves.
As the certifying organization, all volunteer hours must be submitted to the FOPPI Volunteer Coordinator, Jim Schwartz.
Volunteer Leaders
Volunteer Leaders are just regular volunteers who either lead or are part of a smaller team that works to meet the operational goals of the organization.
Volunteer leaders are not term-limited like board members are, but are still a vital part of the decision-making process to save the historical maritime structures on Plum and Pilot Islands. Additionally many special opportunities are afforded volunteer leaders, such as US Fish & Wildlife Service Refuge training, online and at the National Conservation Training Center in Virginia as well as access to board and volunteer team leader-only events.
Both leadership teams have the opportunity to work with some of the most brilliant and passionate folks on the planet who are intently focused on our mission!
Current Opportunities
Fish & Wildlife Service Volunteer Opportunities
Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge (GBNWR) is partnering with the Friends of Plum and Pilot Island (FOPPI) to recruit, orient, and train volunteers for the 2024 field season!
Joel Vos (Refuge Manager) and FOPPI are seeking volunteers to assist in the following roles:
- Wildlife and Natural Resource Interpretive Guides
- Cultural and Historic Resources Interpretive Guide and Docents
- Wildlife Research Assistants
- Maintenance Volunteers
- M/V PHEBE Volunteer Deckhands
FOPPI and GBNWR will also like to identify volunteers willing to be supervisory leads for planned work days at Plum Island and specific tours throughout the field season.
Friends of Plum & Pilot Islands
Volunteer Opportunities
The Friends of Plum & Pilot Islands is looking for volunteers to help in the following areas:
- M/V THE SHORELINE Deckhands
- M/V THE SHORELINE Maintenance
- Grant Writer
- Social Media Assistant
- Graphic Artist
FOPPI and GBNWR will also like to identify volunteers willing to be supervisory leads for planned work days at Plum Island and specific tours throughout the field season.
Wildlife & Natural Resource Interpretive Guides
Have an interest in the plants, wildlife and habitats that make Death’s Door a special and spectacular place to visit? The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and FOPPI are recruiting volunteers to help share their passion and knowledge with visitors to Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge at Plum Island. Opportunities include leading visitors during The Ridges Sanctuary’s annual “Festival of Nature” and other programs. Volunteers will be provided transportation aboard the Service’s M/V Phebe or with FOPPI aboard M/V The Shoreline. Work includes walking over long distances over uneven terrain and standing on uneven ground. Training will be provided to assist with knowledge and understanding of the history of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Wildlife Refuge System, Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge, and focus species and habitats of the refuge. Guides must complete an application and agreement for federal volunteer service, wear approved Service volunteer uniform, and follow all regulations and terms of the partnership agreement between the FOPPI and the Service. To apply or ask questions, contact Refuge Manager Joel Vos.
Cultural & Historic Resource Interpretive Guides & Docents
Have a passion for the historic light-keeping and lifesaving sites found on Plum and Pilot Island? Interested in sharing your passion with visitors to Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge? The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and FOPPI are recruiting volunteers to help share their passion and knowledge with visitors to Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge at Plum Island. Opportunities include acting as a guide during the Door County Maritime Museum’s annual Lighthouse Festivals and other programs and events. Volunteers will be provided transportation aboard the Service’s M/V Phebe or with FOPPI aboard the M/V The Shoreline from Washington Island to Plum Island. Work includes walking over long distances over uneven terrain, climbing staircases, and standing on uneven ground. Training will be provided to assist with knowledge and understanding of the history of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Wildlife Refuge System, Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge, plant and wildlife species, and habitats of the refuge. You will also receive training on the history of Plum and Pilot Islands as vital light-keeping and lifesaving sites in Death’s Door. Guides must complete an application and agreement for federal volunteer service, wear approved Service volunteer uniform, and follow all regulations and terms of the partnership agreement between the FOPPI and the Service. To apply or ask questions, contact Refuge Manager Joel Vos.
Wildlife Research Assistant
Green Bay and Gravel Island National Wildlife Refuge are home to some of the most interesting and vital wildlife habitats in Wisconsin and Michigan. Located in the waters of Lake Michigan, the refuges were established to conserve and protect the fish, wildlife, plants and where they live. If you have an interest in birds, bats, and rare and endangered plants, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) staff is seeking volunteers to assist with inventory and monitoring projects throughout the May to September field season. Volunteers will be provided transportation aboard the Service’s M/V Phebe or with FOPPI aboard the M/V The Shoreline from Washington Island to Plum Island. Work includes walking over long distances over uneven terrain, climbing staircases, standing on uneven ground, use of binoculars in watercraft on open water, and prolonged sitting. Training will be provided to assist with knowledge and understanding of the history of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Wildlife Refuge System, Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge, plant and wildlife species, and habitats of the refuge. Assistants must complete an application and agreement for federal volunteer service, wear approved Service volunteer uniform, and follow all regulations and terms of the partnership agreement between the FOPPI and the Service. To apply or ask questions, contact Refuge Manager Joel Vos.
Refuge Maintenance Volunteer
M/V Phebe Deckhands
Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge is seeking volunteers to assist refuge staff in operation of our Munson Model 23-30 Utility vessel, the M/V Phebe. Docked on Washington Island, volunteers should be local to the northern Door County or Washington Island, Wisconsin area, or available on short notice to travel to meet staff for workday operations. Volunteers will assist staff with safe operations of the vessel in nearshore and open water conditions on Lake Michigan. Safety training and personal protective equipment will be provided. Volunteers should have familiarity with motorboat operations, including handling lines, launching, and docking. Work includes standing and sitting aboard a motorized watercraft in pitching and rolling waters, lifting over 40 pounds, bending, stooping, and grabbing. Deckhand volunteers will not be operating the vessel, but will assist refuge staff who have completed the required USFWS Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) in safe launching, landing, and watch while underway. Volunteers must complete an application and agreement for federal volunteer service, wear approved Service volunteer uniform, and follow all regulations and terms of the partnership agreement between the FOPPI and the Service. To apply or ask questions, contact Refuge Manager Joel Vos
M/V THE SHORELINE Deckhand
The Shoreline is a Coast Guard Inspected Passenger Vessel, meaning that the Coast Guard has certain crew member requirements. The Shoreline is classified as a ‘smaller passenger vessel’ so the Coast Guard is not as particular, or require as many things, as on larger ships. The Lead Captain does the crew training. Members of the crew must be enrolled in the company's (FOPPI) drug test program and willing to submit a sample if called for a random test. There is no cost to the crew member, FOPPI pays for the tests. Each crew member also should be aware of the safety features on the boat and be prepared to assist in an emergency such as man overboard, fire or rough weather. They also should be able to pilot (drive) the boat back to safe harbor, not necessarily dock it but get it back to a harbor, wall, or marina. Crew should also know how to operate one of the VHF radios on channel 16. The crew member assists the captain in docking by putting out fenders (bumpers) and having lines ready. The crew will assist the captain in pre-trip cleaning and putting out cushions as well as after trip cleaning and putting things away. The crew should be familiar with the highlights of the route, historical facts, navigational history, wildlife and birds and general information of Plum and Pilot Islands, Death’s Door, FOPPI and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. There is information on the boat that the crew can use, as well as outlines on the highlights of the tour route.
Grant Writer
In this role you would help us to identify potential donors, organize fundraising events and write grant applications to support our historic preservation goals. This is a newer team so you will learn right with us. In 2021, we raised over $250K, which we're quite proud of seeing as it was a COVID year and we are learning as we go!
Social Media Assistant
In this role, you would generate content for Facebook and the website. Keep our supporters up-to-date on the great things FOPPI is accomplishing! If you love FOPPI and want to talk about it, this is the job for you!
Graphic Artist
In this role, you would use your skills to create logos, flyers, and other marketing material for FOPPI.