Volunteers are an important part of the Museum!
Volunteers come from all kinds of backgrounds with a variety of knowledge, skills and availability! That's what makes Volunteers so great! Ideally, we are looking for people who can Volunteer 8 hours each month. (Shifts are usually 2-4 hours)
Please complete this application form if you are interested in becoming a Cook Museum of Natural Science volunteer. Once you complete the form, click the SUBMIT button at the bottom.
There are several benefits volunteering at the Museum!
~Presidential Volunteer Service Award Organization
~25% off purchases in Nature's Table Café on the days you volunteer (Volunteer only)
~10% off purchases in the Museum Store
~Volunteer Shirt, Patches, Certificates, and Pins
~Annual Recognition and Awards Reception
~Behind-the-Scenes Training Opportunities
~Special Educational Training Opportunities (some are required to volunteer in the Exhibit Galleries)
~Individual Membership (after 100 volunteer hours in one full year)
~Other great benefits awarded after meeting different milestones for hours volunteered
Volgistics Volunteer Alerts sends reminders, alerts, and custom messages from System Operators and Coordinators. Use this section to opt-in and opt-out of text messaging (also known as "SMS"), and initially set how you would like to receive messages. Your messages can be delivered as emails, text messages, or none. You can change this at any time through VicNet. View supported phone carriers.
Message and Data Rates May Apply. For help or information on this program send "HELP" to 28344. You can send "STOP" to 28344 at any time to opt out. For additional assistance, call 888-891-6978 or click here. Message frequency based on account settings. Messages are not guaranteed to be delivered. All messages will be sent by email until you respond "YES" to the welcome text message sent after the application form is submitted. Message preferences can be changed in VicNet on the Account tab.
Please indicate the days and times you are usually available to volunteer.
Please select the opportunity you are most interested in:
In the event of an emergency, who should we contact on your behalf?
The following are requirements to volunteer at the Cook Museum of Natural Science
- Submit an online application
- Be a U.S. Citizen or Alien with the legal right to work in the US
- Hold a valid driver's license, valid DMV ID Card, green card or student/work visa
- Successfully complete a background check
- If you are under 18 years of age, please use the Teen Volunteer Application Form.
- Attend a 2 hour Volunteer Orientation Session. Following review of your application, the Volunteer Coordinator will reach out with more details regarding Orientation.
The Cook Museum of Natural Science does not require a fee to Volunteer. We do require a background check and will send you a link for obtaining one. This may require a small fee that you will pay directly to the company performing the background check.
Please indicate below all the areas where you have knowledge, skills, and/or abilities.
Desiring to work as a volunteer for Cook Museum of Natural Science and engage in the activities related to being a volunteer for a work project, I do hereby voluntarily execute this Volunteer Waiver under the following terms:
I release and hold harmless the Cook Museum of Natural Science and its successors and assigns from any and all liability, claims, and demands of whatever kind or nature, either in law or in equity, which arise or may hereafter arise from my work as a Volunteer with Cook Museum of Natural Science.
I understand that this Waiver discharges the Cook Museum of Natural Science from any liability or claim that I may have against the Cook Museum of Natural Science with respect to bodily injury, personal injury, illness, death, or property damage the Volunteer incurs and that may result from my participation as a Volunteer on the Cook Museum of Natural Science’s work site. I also fully understand that the Cook Museum of Natural Science does not assume any responsibility for or obligation to provide financial assistance or other assistance, including but not limited to medical, health or disability insurance, in the event of injury, illness, death or property damage.
I understand that I expressly waive for myself as a Volunteer any such claim for compensation or liability on the part of the Cook Museum of Natural Science beyond what may be offered freely by the representative of the Cook Museum of Natural Science in the event of such injury or medical expense.
I hereby release the Cook Museum of Natural Science from any claim whatsoever which arises or may arise in the future on account of any first aid treatment or other medical services that are conducted in connection with an emergency during my time as a Volunteer with the Cook Museum of Natural Science.
I understand that the my time as a Volunteer with the Cook Museum of Natural Science may include various activities that may be hazardous to me as a Volunteer and I hereby expressly and specifically assume the risk of injury or harm in these activities and release the Cook Museum of Natural Science from all liability for injury, illness, death, or property damage resulting from the activities of my time as a Volunteer with the Cook Museum of Natural Science.
I understand as a Volunteer that I may choose not to do or perform any activity or duty as may be requested by Museum staff. In the event of such choice, I will make known to Museum staff my choice not to perform a particular activity or duty. I further understand have no right or interest in my role to be selected or used as a Museum Volunteer and that such selection or usage of my voluntary services is wholly discretionary with Museum supervisory staff.
I grant unto the Cook Museum of Natural Science all right, title, and interest in any and all photographic images and video or audio recordings that are made by the Cook Museum of Natural Science during my time as a Volunteer with the Cook Museum of Natural Science, including, but not limited to, any royalties, proceeds, or other benefits that are derived from such photographs or recordings.
I expressly agree that this Waiver is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of the State of Alabama in the United States of America, and that this Waiver shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Alabama. I agree that in the event that any clause or provision of this Waiver shall be held to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity of such clause or provision shall not otherwise affect the remaining provisions of this Release which shall continue to enforceable.
