Get Involved

Upcoming One-time Volunteer Opportunities:

• Annual Stream Clean Up Event 
  • The annual Stream Clean-Up event, now called Paddle and Clean-up Rivers Around Town (PACRAT), is an opportunity for community members to help clean up garbage that has been collecting in our waterway streams. Volunteers will canoe with frequent stops to pick up trash. Sign up to volunteer here.

• Rummage Rampage
  • Every summer the City hosts Rummage RAMPage, a community-wide second-hand sale that keeps reusable items out of the waste stream. You can volunteer by donating items, spreading the word, or donating your “paid” volunteer hours to a partnering nonprofit agency.

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities:

• Ames Animal Shelter
  • Are you passionate about animals? Volunteer at the Ames Animal Shelter
• Ames Public Library
  • Do you want to volunteer at the Ames Public Library? See the current volunteer opportunities.
• Boards and Commissions
  • The City of Ames has 18 boards and commissions made up of resident volunteers appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. The structure, duties, and responsibilities of these bodies vary depending on their specific purposes, but every board or commission works to improve the quality of life for residents of Ames. Interested in getting involved? Learn more.
  • Ames International Partner Cities Association
    • AIPCA promotes cultural and educational exchanges between the people of the City of Ames and those of its Partner Cities. Ames presently has two designated sister cities: Koshu City, Japan, and Podujeva, Kosovo. Ames residents can apply for a board seat or to host a visitor from a sister city.
• Friends
  • “Friends” are organized groups focused on supporting a specific institution, amenities or other purpose. They may serve as an advocacy group or raise funds to enhance or sustain other institutions or initiatives.
    
    Get involved in a Friends group: 
    • Ames Public Library Friends Foundation 
    • Friends of Emma McCarthy Lee Park and Munn Woods
    • Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park 
    • Friends of Brookside Park
• Parks Cleanup
  • If you are interested in adopting a park or conducting a park cleanup event through the Parks and Recreation Department, please contact Joshua Thompson, Parks and Facilities Superintendent: joshua.thompson@cityofames.org.
• Smart Business Challenge
  • Are you a business interested in taking more sustainable actions? Join the Smart Business Challenge.