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Frequently Asked Questions
 
 + Getting Started
      Who can volunteer?
      How do I sign up to volunteer?
      How can I find out about current volunteer opportunities? Where do you need the most help?
      What programs can I volunteer for? How can I find out more about a specific program? Where do you need the most help?
      I’m not a scientist or an engineer, can I still volunteer?
      What’s the difference between Speakers Bureau, Community Outreach, and Education Outreach?
 
 + Timekeeping
      Where do I charge my time?
      Which charge code do I use?
      Where do I get a Supervisor Approval Form (SAF)?
      How many hours can I charge per year?
      Do I get paid for evening or weekend volunteer hours?
      How do I add the charge code to WebTADS?
      Once I have the code, can I charge to it for other volunteer events?
 
 + Process
      How much time does it take?
      How do I find out if I’ve been selected?
      What do I wear?
      When am I supposed to show up?
      How do I give you feedback?
 
 + Training & Resources
      Do I need training before I can volunteer?
      Is there training available for a first-time volunteer?
      What resources do I have available to help me prepare?
      Do I have to supply my own materials?
      Are there any guidelines as to what I’m supposed to say?
      What if someone asks a question I can’t answer?
 
 + Other
      Who can I call if I still have questions?
      Can I volunteer for the same events I’ve helped with in the past?
      Can I volunteer for more than one program & how often?
      If I know of a school that would like to request to a NASA Engineer, Scientist or Astronaut, whom do I refer them to?
      I have some great ideas for volunteer opportunities, who can I talk to about them
      How do I update my volunteer profile?
 

 

 
Who can volunteer?

Part-time and full-time civil service employees and contractors, both on and off site.
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How do I sign up to volunteer?

Please visit the Education Outreach volunteer sign-up form at: http://education.jsc.nasa.gov/volunteer/registration.cfm
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How can I find out about current volunteer opportunities? Where do you need the most help?

Please visit our Search page at to see a list of current opportunities.
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What programs can I volunteer for? How can I find out more about a specific program? Where do you need the most help?

  1. To see a complete list of Programs, visit our website at: http://education.jsc.nasa.gov/.
  2. To see a list of opportunities outside of the Education Office, please visit the website at: http://education.jsc.nasa.gov/volunteer/


 
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I’m not a scientist or an engineer, can I still volunteer?

Absolutely.  We need volunteers for a variety of topics as well as support with program administration. 
 
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What’s the difference between Speakers Bureau, Community Outreach, and Education Outreach?

  1. Education Outreach Programs typically "train" students directly or indirectly through tutoring, lecturing, curriculum development, on-the-job work experiences, etc. The goal of Education Outreach is to capture young people’s interest in science; engineering, mathematics and technology by having volunteers participate in various outreach opportunities including lecturing or performing hands-on activities in the classroom, career shadowing, tutoring, mentoring and science fair judging.
  2. The goal of Speakers Bureau is to capture interest and increase awareness of NASA's missions and activities by having volunteers participate in public speaking engagements on topics such as engineering, life sciences, space sciences, medical applications, spacesuit design, and life-support support systems.
  3. Community Outreach’s goal is to promote public goodwill, visibility, & advocacy for NASA JSC, its employees, & the professions in the JSC workforce.
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Who can I call if I still have questions?

Call us at (281) 483–8712 or email us at jsc-eduoutre@mail.nasa.gov
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Can I volunteer for the same events I’ve helped with in the past?

Absolutely
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Can I volunteer for more than one program & how often?

Yes, you may volunteer for more than one program or event, provided it does not interfere with your workload and you have obtained your management’s approval.
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If I know of a school that would like to request to a NASA Engineer, Scientist or Astronaut, whom do I refer them to?

Ask them to visit our Request a NASA volunteer web page at http://education.jsc.nasa.gov/app/request.cfm.
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I have some great ideas for volunteer opportunities, who can I talk to about them

Great!  Please call us at (281) 483–8712 or email us at jsc-eduoutre@mail.nasa.gov

 
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How do I update my volunteer profile?

Visit the site at http://education.jsc.nasa.gov/volunteer/registration.cfm and click on the Edit Profile hyperlink.
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How much time does it take?

That depends.  Each event has it’s own time requirement.  You will be told up-front about the time commitment required for your specific event so that you can prepare accordingly
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How do I find out if I’ve been selected?

We will notify you via e-mail when you are confirmed to volunteer for the event and send you all of the details.
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What do I wear?

You are representing NASA, so use your best judgment.  Unless specific dress is requested, business casual is best.

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When am I supposed to show up?

Each event will have it’s own timeline.  In general, it is a good idea to show up at least 30 minutes before your volunteer opportunity is to start so that you can orient yourself and make any last minute preparations and introductions.
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How do I give you feedback?

Please help us improve our volunteer program by giving us feedback:

  1. Log in at http://education.jsc.nasa.gov/internal/volunteer/vol_sign_in.cfm and visit our Rate Us web page or
  2. Call us at (281) 483-8712 or
  3. Email us at jsc-eduoutre@mail.nasa.gov
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Where do I charge my time?

Civil service employees must charge the first 8 hours participating in an Education Outreach activity (per pay period) to their own charge code with a signed Supervisory Approval Form (SAF) on file. If hours spent participating in an Education Outreach activity extend beyond the 8 hours per pay period civil service employees have charged to their own charge code, they can charge up to 8 additional hours per pay period to the Education labor code.

  1. If the event occurs during normal duty hours, please get permission from your supervisor prior to volunteering (a Supervisory Approval Form is required)
  2. If the event occurs outside of normal duty hours, the hours are considered volunteer time and cannot be charged to the Education Labor Code.
Contractor Policy: Please contact your supervisor for your companys policy.
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Which charge code do I use?

The Education Outreach charge code is available on the Supervisory Approval Form. This form is only available to volunteers who have volunteered to support an official Education Outreach event.
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Where do I get a Supervisor Approval Form (SAF)?

The SAF is available online in a volunteer’s event profile, at http://education.jsc.nasa.gov/volunteer.
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How many hours can I charge per year?

You may charge up to 40 hours to the special education labor code every year, but volunteers must first charge up to 8 hours to their regular charge code per pay period before charging to the Education Outreach charge code.
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Do I get paid for evening or weekend volunteer hours?

No.  However, we applaud your efforts to volunteer in such a meaningful way on your own time.
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How do I add the charge code to WebTADS?

Go to the Add Projects Section, select the the code from the WBS box, select hour type, then select the <Add Project> button.
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Once I have the code, can I charge to it for other volunteer events?

No. Please use the Education Outreach charge code only when directed to do so by Education Outreach. You may volunteer for other Education programs and those program coordinators will advise you when to use the charge code.
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Do I need training before I can volunteer?

No training is required, but help is available.
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Is there training available for a first-time volunteer?

We will periodically offer training sessions, providing a variety of resources to help you prepare for future events as well as provide some information on current NASA-related topics. We will send notifications of upcoming volunteer training sessions via JSC Today.
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What resources do I have available to help me prepare?

For a complete list, visit http://www1.jsc.nasa.gov/paointernal/prodserv/speaker_support.html

Websites with additional, resources that you might find helpful are:

http://www1.jsc.nasa.gov/paointernal/prodserv
http://education.jsc.nasa.gov/volunteer/resources.cfm
http://education.jsc.nasa.gov/volunteer/exhibits.cfm
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Do I have to supply my own materials?

 If there is something specific that you want to show or talk about, bring it with you. 

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Are there any guidelines as to what I’m supposed to say?

Not specifically, however, you are officially representing NASA & if your topic is of a sensitive nature, or if you are unsure, please check with your Supervisor or the Public Affairs office (281) 483-5111.
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What if someone asks a question I can’t answer?

It’s okay to say  “I don’t know the answer to your question.”  You may wish to research the answer & follow up at your discretion.
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