Press Release

Building a Volunteer Program Downtown

One low-cost way to build the downtown organization's capacity is through volunteers. But you have to know where to find them.

(Boonton, NJ, June 15, 2010) — In the June issue of Downtown Promotion Reporter, Fran Smyth, manager of Arts Services at the Arts & Business Council of New York, notes that one silver lining of the recession is that it has increased both the rate at which people want to volunteer and the number of volunteers available.

"I get a bunch of volunteers who are between roles. Not only are these people doing good for you, but you're actually doing good for them," Smyth says, by way of giving them valuable and current work experience to refer to in their job interviews.

Useful websites for connecting good people and good causes across the country are Idealist.org (for both job and volunteer positions) and Volunteermatch.org (which does only volunteer placements).

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About the Downtown Research & Development Center

For over 50 years, the Downtown Research & Development Center has acted as the information clearinghouse on practical strategies and tactics for revitalizing the hearts of our cities and towns.

The Group's main activities include publishing the widely influential Downtown Idea Exchange and Downtown Promotion Reporter newsletters; publishing relevant books and reports; and operating the DowntownDevelopment.com website.

Website: http://www.DowntownDevelopment.com