VINE Sanctuary News
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Last year, we pledged to try to be as bold as Karma, as loving as Whisper, and as unstoppable as Billy as we maintain the community they helped to co-create. If volunteering and getting involved are on your list of New Year's resolutions, look no further—we have a lot of projects in store for 2024 and we would love to have you join us!
WHY VOLUNTEER WITH VINE?
VINE Sanctuary is not just a place; it's a vibrant multi-species community shaped by its members. By volunteering with VINE, you become an integral part of this extended community, helping to care and advocate for animals while promoting awareness of the interconnections among problems faced by people, animals, and the planet. Whether you live near or far and whatever your skills or interests might be, VINE has a place for you!

Volunteering with VINE Sanctuary is not just about giving your time; it's also an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals. Join our extended community in 2024 and be a part of something meaningful while expanding your own social horizons!
On-Site Options
Last year, local volunteers saved the day by stepping up when we were short-staffed. If you live nearby and have time to volunteer regularly, you can make a big difference in the lives of the hundreds of animals in residence at the sanctuary. We need people to help with weekly and seasonal chores as well as special projects. Contact Cheryl to learn more and set a date for an interview and tour.
Remote Opportunities Galore
This year, we are thrilled to offer a plethora of remote volunteer opportunities, allowing you to contribute your skills and passion from the comfort of your own home. Whether you're a social media guru, a research whiz, a graphic designer, a meme-maker, a writer, an educator, an online arguer, a ready-and-willing driver, or a skilled project manager, we have a role for you. Check out and explore the various roles and projects available below, and find the perfect match for your talents and interests.

Here are just a few of the things we need people to do in 2024:

1. Research

  • Plant-Based Milk in Schools: Are you passionate about promoting plant-based options in schools? We're looking for dedicated researchers to map out existing projects working towards introducing plant-based milk in educational institutions. Your efforts will help us compile valuable information to support activists and advocates looking to get involved.

  • Cockfighting: Even though cockfighting is illegal in the United States, it persists. We're seeking a dedicated researcher to gather information and help us create a comprehensive map of all incidents, and to connect animal advocates in relevant regions.

2. Social Media

  • Facebook Amplifiers: Do you have an active Facebook account and a passion for spreading awareness? We need volunteers to help us advertise our programs in various groups. For instance, right now we need to seek drivers for our Rapid Response Network in vegan groups nationwide. Later in the year, we will need to promote the Pride Month Vegan Challenge in LGBTQ+ groups and the Veg2Vegan Challenge in vegetarian groups.

  • Disruptors: Are you interested in being a covert online agitator for a cause? We're seeking volunteers willing to join groups of hobbyists in order to raise uncomfortable questions in ways that might provoke people to rethink their assumptions.

  • Content Creators: VINE's small staff can't keep pace with our need for social media content. We need people to use sanctuary photos and/or graphics they make themselves to promote the sanctuary and its programs and positions.

  • Sharers: VINE's social media reach is limited in comparison to younger and smaller organizations. We need a team of dedicated sharers who pledge to amplify VINE's reach by reposting all of our content across social media platforms. Your support will play a crucial role in expanding our reach and impact.

3. Writing

  • PR: Every week at the sanctuary, stories unfold. Sometimes, they are tales of animal friendship, creativity, or resilience. Sometimes, they are about the impact of VINE projects or the inventiveness of VINE staff or volunteers. We need story-tellers to join the VINE Slack and write up articles or press releases when they notice happenings worth reporting.

  • Copy Writing: Several of our projects this year will require new brochures or websites. We need one or more skilled copy writers who are adept at crafting concise and lively prose.

4. Education

  • Barnyard Buddies: Barnyard Buddies is our virtual humane education program for PreK through 5th grade classrooms. We need teachers to join the team that supports that program, and we also need educators to help devise a similar program for middle school classrooms.

  • Pasture Pals: Pasture Pals is our on-site summer program for children. We need one or more local teachers to volunteer to conduct the lessons this year.

5. Project Management

  • Backyard Hen-Keeping: The problem of homeless roosters is caused primarily by people who buy chicks from farm stores and hatcheries in order to keep hens in their backyards. This year, The Rooster Project will be turning to this aspect of the problem. We need one or more experienced activists to help shape and coordinate this aspect of the project.

6. Project Support

  • Queering Animal Liberation: In addition to our annual Pride Month Vegan Challenge, Rainbow-Palooza, and our year-round self-paced Rainbow Vegan Challenge, we will be updating and expanding our efforts to promote veganism in LGBTQIA+ communities and help everyone to understand the linkages between queer and animal liberation. We will need help planning and promoting events, advertising programs, and envisioning new strategies. Let us know if you'd like to join that team!

  • Disability Pride Month: We need help planning and promoting a series of events this July. This might involve joining brainstorming meetings, doing internet searches, sending emails, social media sharing, writing, proofreading, graphic design and/or helping with connection-building.

6. Remote Outreach

  • VegFest Tabling: Is there an annual VegFest in your area? If so, would you like to staff a table for VINE? We'll handle the registration fees and ship you all of the supplies you need to promote the sanctuary and its programs wherever you are!

  • Brochure Distro: Is there a place in your city or town where people can leave literature for others to find? If so, let us add you to the list of people to send stacks of brochures whenever we have new ones.
HOW TO GET STARTED
If you saw something you'd like to do above or if you'd like to volunteer in another way, just fill out this form. Questions? Ask Michelle!
UPCOMING EVENTS

MLK Day Vegan Challenge
January 15, all day

Every MLK Day, VINE encourages vegans to spend part of the day learning about and from past and ongoing anti-racist struggles. We will share this year's recommended readings on the 15th. You can see an archive of past recommendations here.

Bird's-Eye Views
January 28 3PM EST

Join members of the VINE Book Club to discuss the first publication of VINE Press. Learn more about the book here. Purchase the paperback here. Purchase the e-book here. Register for the event here. Find the date/time in your own zone here.
If you prefer to donate by mail, you can send a check to the address below:

VINE Sanctuary, 158 Massey Road, Springfield, VT 05156
VINE (Veganism Is the Next Evolution, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation (EIN 52-2248977)