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UCDA Service and Leadership Role Opportunities

Get engaged. Get involved. Advocate. Organize. Grow. Develop. Give Back. Influence. Lead by Example.  Volunteer.

The University and College Designers Association relies on member volunteers for the success of its many programs and events. These dedicated volunteers work hard, have fun, and contribute immeasurably to the organization.

UCDA’s need for volunteers is your opportunity to become involved. Hone your skills in leadership, organization, program development, design, and networking. Enhance your professional life and augment your personal growth.

If you believe that design in education and education design matters, and you want to support UCDA’s efforts to communicate that message to our members, our institutions, and our communities, volunteer today.

How to Volunteer: Explore this website for opportunities, then fill out the UCDA Volunteer Form.

If you have questions, you can email the membership director who coordinates volunteers at ucdamembership@gmail.com, or email the UCDA home office at info@ucda.com.

Roles

Strategic Initiative Volunteers: (commitment varies) UCDA Members serve to execute tasks toward achieving a specific action, goal, initiative or objective as part of the strategic plan. Volunteers work under specific board directors and/or executive director as it relates to the specific focus area. 

Event Volunteer (one-to-four-day commitment)
Conferences need many volunteers. Sign up today for Creative Summit (virtual), Education Summit, or Design Conference and be a part of making these great events happen. You can do as much as little as you would like. Volunteers work under the Volunteer Coordinator of the specific event. 

Event Planning Committee Members: (commitment lasts for the duration of event planning and execution)
UCDA Members serve in the planning and execution of a single event. 

Focus Area Committee Members: (one or two-year commitment)
UCDA members serve on a committee with the director to achieve the regular activities and strategic initiatives and objectives. Each area has its own committee (i.e. Programming Committee, Membership Committee, Education Committee, Digital Content/Social Media Committee)

Strategic Initative Coordinator: (commitment varies) 
The coordinator role takes on more responsibility for driving a specific initiative, goal, or objective. This role serves under the board member and executive director as applicable. 

Event or Volunteer Coordinator: (commitment varies) 
Events, such as Faculty Forums, Creative Conversations, or serve as the Coordinator of a group of volunteers for a single event. Such as Volunteer Coordinator of Design Conference. 

Webinar Panelist or Presenter (one-time commitment)
Propose a topic and present a webinar. The Essential Series typically schedules 2 webinars per month. If presenting isn’t your thing, help find and secure a speaker for this continous online learning series.

UCDA Workshop Host (three-to six-month commitment)
Create a day-long program for designers in your city, state or region. UCDA’s workshops provide networking opportunities for members and other designers. From focused discussion groups to featured training sessions or speakers, the flexibility of the workshop allows the program to be whatever the host wants it to be. Work closely with the home office to produce a program addressing the issues relevant to your city or region.

Chairperson / Co-Chairperson Roles

Becoming a chairperson or co-chairperson requires a UCDA member to have previous experience in volunteering and/or serving on a committee that is relevant to the event or initiative that they wish to serve as chairperson/co-chairperson. For example, if a UCDA member would like to become Co-Chair of the Design Conference, the first steps are to volunteer for and serve on the Design Conference Committee and Programming Committee. 

Specific Event Chair Descriptions

Design Education Summit Chair/Co-Chair (two-year commitment)
Develop and manage the UCDA Design Education Summit, a program for design educators and students. Solicit speakers and faculty papers, develop programming, create conference collateral materials and staging. Work closely with the home office to produce a program specifically addressing the issues of our design educators. Members must work as a volunteer for this event previously to becoming a chairperson. 

Creative Summit Chair/Co-Chair (two-year commitment)
Organize and facilitate one of UCDA’s more intimate programs. Solicit speakers, develop programming, create conference collateral materials and staging. Work with the home office on UCDA’s re-designed program developed for all creatives and those who work with them. Members must work as a volunteer for this event previously to becoming a chairperson. 

Design Awards Chair/Co-Chair (two-year commitment)
Organize and manage the annual UCDA Design Awards. Solicit judges, develop competition call for entries, facilitate judging, design and install show at the annual conference, and introduce winners at the awards luncheon and show opening. Work with the home office and board members to create UCDA’s respected annual show. Members must work as a volunteer for this event previously to becoming a chairperson. 

Design Conference Chair/Co-Chair (two-year commitment)
Organize and manage the activities of the annual UCDA Design Conference. Solicit speakers, develop programming, create conference collateral materials and staging. Work with the home office and board members to create UCDA’s largest event of the year. Members must work as a volunteer for this event previously to becoming a chairperson. 

Board Member (four-year commitment)
UCDAs board consists of area directors who execute and support organization's activities, operations, and events as well as determine organization policies and procedures. Board members are also key players in growing the membership through member retention and recruitment, as well as mainting and growing relatonships with other key stakeholders. They contribute to the executive director's long-term strategic planning. To join the board, members must demonstrate a history of previous UCDA volunteer work. 
Board Role Information and Self-Nomination Form

How to Volunteer: Explore this website for opportunities, then fill out the UCDA Volunteer Form.

If you have questions, you can email the membership director who coordinates volunteers at ucdamembership@gmail.com, or email the UCDA home office at info@ucda.com.