Big Sunday happily welcomes you to Our Really Big Community Calendar

We try to include all kinds of volunteering and helping opportunities for all kinds of interests, talents, passions, and ages! As you’ll see, these include volunteering opportunities (one-time and long-term) as well as the chance to support a nonprofit by attending fundraising events. Plus, of course, we include all of Big Sunday’s homegrown events, too! Whoever you are, and whatever you do, there is someone out there who could use your help.

If you have questions about our calendar, or would like to add a listing, please contact calendar@bigsunday.org or submit your event/opportunity via the button below.

Big Sunday Event Giving Opportunity! One-time Volunteer Opportunity Ongoing Volunteer Opportunity
Apr
30
Sat
YALLWEST @ Santa Monica High School
Apr 30 – May 2 all-day

YALLWEST is a local literary festival focused on Young Adult novels. This year they're bringing in over 125 authors for a weekend of discussions, books, and fun! In addition to bringing in authors, YALLWEST busses in over 800 students from Title 1 schools who get to attend the festival and get a book for free!

They're looking for volunteers to help with:

  • staffing panel rooms
  • helping to set up/tear down
  • be guides for incoming school groups
  • helping with author signings

Time Commitment: each shift is 4 hours.

Perks: free parking, a t-shirt, and a ticket to one paid event.

To sign up visit: http://www.yallwest.com/volunteers or email our Volunteer Coordinator Gretchen Schreiber at gretchen@yallwest.com.

Jun
26
Sun
Big Sunday’s 2nd Annual Cookout & Movie Night @ Big Sunday
Jun 26 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Join us for Big Sunday’s 2nd Annual Get-Readysummer-movie-heavyweightsFor-Summer Cookout & Movie Night!  We’ll be packing bags full of beach stuff for many needy youth organizations followed by a cookout and a special screening of Heavyweights.  Our pals from Movies at Night are back again for another big screen experience, donating the big screen and popcorn.  Our friends from Salt & Straw are also back with an ice cream truck for everyone to enjoy!

To participate, please click HERE.

Please help us by bringing at least one new beach towel to put in one of our summer bags.  Want to bring more?  Great, thanks!  Just let us know when you sign up.
 

Jul
11
Mon
MINECRAFT Instructor
Jul 11 – Aug 16 all-day

LA Makerspace is a community-based organization whose mission is to foster innovation among Angelenos by offering increased access to new opportunities in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics).

Program Description: LA Makerspace (LAM) seeks a creative, dynamic instructor with a strong maker background to teach Minecraft workshops for kids, teens, and adults. In this role, you will be responsible for facilitating workshops in public libraries, schools, and private settings based on curriculum developed by LA Makerspace. Working within the framework of this curriculum, instructors are encouraged to customize the workshops to suit their instructional styles and the needs of the workshop participants.

Volunteer Role & Responsibilities: Facilitate Minecraft workshops in locations throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Most workshops are provided through the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) system and take place at LAPL branches throughout the city. They also provide occasional workshops for school groups or special events. Coordinate with LAM staff to order and deliver supplies and tools to workshop sites.
Create a safe and fun learning environment for participants, including teaching safety skills for materials and equipment. Guide Minecraft Assistant(s) in setup and how to manage/handle situations that may arise. Administer program evaluations at the end of each workshop. Participate in research and curriculum development projects.

Time Commitment: Variable hours

Requirements: Technical knowledge about Minecraft and multiplayer servers. Familiarity with the online Minecraft community. Ability to troubleshoot technical issues and players’ questions/challenges during a session. Ability to multitask and juggle questions in a hectic, free play environment. Creative approach to gaming aligned with maker ideals. Strong interest and background in maker pedagogy; ability to teach maker learning styles to beginners. Commitment to ongoing skill development.

Benefits: Expose LA youth to the wonderful field of STEAM

Please email your resume to, Ned Martinez-Zavala at ned@lamakerspace.org to express interest.

Sep
10
Sat
1st Annual HIP through Science Fair @ Bradley Milken Center
Sep 10 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

NOTE:  To participate, please email Dimitrios Jones for a Science Fair application.


HIP through Science is a science initiative to help increase the interest of science in the urban and undeserved community. The People of Change, a nonprofit organization, provides community building and learning through brief lectures and hands-on experiments. Lessons taught will influence more children to pursue the science fields and learn about how our everyday lives are influenced by science.

Rules and Categories

Rules:

1. Each student may enter only one individual project.

2. Each student or team must submit a (maximum of) 200-word, one-page abstract which summarizes their project. The abstract must describe research conducted by the student, not by adult supervisors. (grades K-3rd are not required to write)

3. Each student display booth should have a tri-fold or poster board paper describing your project.

4. Students may only be a part of one team.

5. Students will receive additional points on score card if they are accompanied by parents or guardian.

6. If working as a team you must state a problem, statement, and hypothesis for your project. (K-3rd grades are exempt).

 

Point System: 0-10 in each category

Community involvement: Parental participation – Are the students’ parents or guardians in attendance? (30%)

Creativity: Is the project itself creative and unique? (10%)

Skill: Did the student perform the experiments correctly? Is there any major human error that was overlooked? If something went wrong, was it the student’s fault? (15%)

Thoroughness: Is the project finished? Was anything left out that would have made the project better or more complete? Does the conclusion relate to the project? (20%)

Clarity: Is the display easy to understand? Are all concepts described so that they are easy to understand? (15%)

Dramatic value: Is the display board attractive? Did it catch your eye when you first noticed it? Did the display make you interested in what the project was about? (10%)


Categories:

Behavioral and Social Sciences

Human and animal behavior, social and community relationships: psychology, sociology, anthropology, archaeology, ethology, ethnology, linguistics, learning, perception, urban problems, reading problems, public opinion surveys, educational testing, etc.

Biochemistry

Chemistry of life processes: molecular biology, molecular genetics, enzymes, photosynthesis, blood chemistry, protein chemistry, food chemistry, hormones, etc.

Botany

Study of plant life: agriculture, agronomy, horticulture, forestry, plant taxonomy, plant physiology, plant pathology, plant genetics, hydroponics, algae, etc.

Chemistry

Study of the nature and composition of matter and laws governing it: physical chemistry, organic chemistry (other than biochemistry), inorganic chemistry, materials, plastics, fuels, pesticides, metallurgy, soil chemistry, etc.

Computer Science

Study and development of computer software and hardware and associated logical devices

Earth and Space Sciences

Geology, mineralogy, physiography, oceanography, meteorology, climatology, astronomy, geology, speleology, seismology, geography, etc.

Engineering

Technology; projects that directly apply scientific principles to manufacturing and practical uses: civil, mechanical, aeronautical, chemical, electrical, photographic, sound, automotive, marine, heating and refrigerating, transportation, environmental engineering, etc.

Environmental Sciences

Study of pollution (air, water, and land) sources and their control; ecology

Mathematics

Development of formal logical systems or various numerical and algebraic computations, and the application of these principles: calculus, geometry, abstract algebra, number theory, statistics, complex analysis, probability

Medicine and Health

Study of diseases and health of humans and animals: dentistry, pharmacology, pathology, ophthalmology, nutrition, sanitation, pediatrics, dermatology, allergies, speech and hearing, etc.

Microbiology

Biology of microorganisms: bacteriology, virology, protozoology, fungi, bacterial genetics, yeast, etc.

Physics

Theories, principles, and laws governing energy and the effect of energy on matter: solid state, optics, acoustics, particle, nuclear, atomic, plasma, superconductivity, fluid and gas dynamics, thermodynamics, semiconductors, magnetism, quantum mechanics, biophysics, etc.

Zoology

Study of animals: animal genetics, ornithology, ichthyology, herpetology, entomology, animal ecology, paleontology, cellular physiology, circadian rhythms, animal husbandry, cytology, histology, animal physiology, invertebrate neurophysiology, studies of invertebrates, etc.

Team Projects

All disciplines–multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary.

 

HIP through Science programs routinely takes photos of its events for program promotion. Your signature gives approval for your child’s photo to be used by Science Pioneers in conjunction with its charitable and educational purposes. 

Event Location & Info: Bradley Milken Center|1773 E Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90002 | 213-473-3607.

Please return applications by September 1st to your respective HIP through Science location or by mail to THE PEOPLE of CHANGE, P.O. Box 11152, Los Angeles, CA 90011. Any questions, feel free to call at 716-986-6104.

Nov
5
Sat
North American Reptile Breeders Conference & Trade Show @ Pasadena Convention Center
Nov 5 – Nov 7 all-day

photo-for-calendar-listingsThe North American Reptile Breeders Conference & Trade Show welcomes families, students, reptile professionals and enthusiasts to its Pasadena show this November. Attendees will get an up-close view of reptiles of all shapes and sizes including snakes, frogs, turtles, geckos, iguanas, and tortoises – all are available for sale. In addition to viewing exotic and rare breeds, admission to the show includes educational sessions from some of the industry’s most respected experts as they discuss specific species and habitats during various presentations throughout the weekend. Whether you are a reptile aficionado or entering the world of “herping” for the first time, this high quality, captive-bred-only reptile show is sure to entertain.

  • USARK Auction Saturday, November 5, 2016, at 6:00 p.m. at the Pasadena Convention Center

Everyone is welcome. Admission is free and includes hors d’oeuvres. All proceeds from the live auction will benefit USARK (the United States Association of Reptile Keepers), a non-profit organization advocating for the practice of Herpetoculture.

For more information, please visit http://narbc.com/Pasadena/tickets_narbc_pasadena.html.

Apr
22
Sat
March for Science LA @ Pershing Square
Apr 22 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

March for Science is coming through LA. The March celebrates crucial roles science plays in economic growth, environment preservation, and public health. Beginning at Pershing Square, join fellow Angelenos (and Bill Nye!) for a dynamic day of marching for science. 

Learn more about the movement! And check out their cute pins!

Los Angeles Times Festival of Books @ USC
Apr 22 @ 10:00 am – Apr 22 @ 6:00 pm

15_FOB_stk_taglineThe Festival of Books began in 1996 with a simple goal: Bring together the people who create books and the people who love to read them. The Festival was an immediate success and has become Southern California's major literary event. The 2017 Festival will be held on Saturday, April 22 and Sunday, April 23 at the University of Southern California and they would love to have you join as a volunteer.

Last year over 150,000 people attended the Festival, which featured more than a hundred ticketed author events, children’s storytelling, poetry readings, book signings and more than 400 exhibitor booths. The Festival’s success has been due in part to the generous participation of volunteers who welcomed attendees, assisted with registration, staffed author events, supervised book signings and much more.

Time Commitment: Volunteers sign up for one or more 3-4 hour shifts on one or both days.

Requirements:
• The majority of volunteer activities require being on your feet for most of your shift.
• Please wear comfortable shoes and khaki or beige pants or shorts.
• Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. (You cannot bring children under the age of 18 with you during your shift. )

Benefits: Volunteers will receive free parking, shuttle service from the parking lot and lunch.   Volunteer t-shirts will be provided to wear and keep after the event.

*Please sign up as soon as possible as space fills up quickly and the final deadline for pre-registering as a volunteer is April 5, 2017.

After you express interest in this opportunity, you will be sent further instructions on how to complete your volunteer registration.

Apr
23
Sun
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books @ USC
Apr 23 @ 10:00 am – Apr 23 @ 6:00 pm

15_FOB_stk_taglineThe Festival of Books began in 1996 with a simple goal: Bring together the people who create books and the people who love to read them. The Festival was an immediate success and has become Southern California's major literary event. The 2017 Festival will be held on Saturday, April 22 and Sunday, April 23 at the University of Southern California and they would love to have you join as a volunteer.

Last year over 150,000 people attended the Festival, which featured more than a hundred ticketed author events, children’s storytelling, poetry readings, book signings and more than 400 exhibitor booths. The Festival’s success has been due in part to the generous participation of volunteers who welcomed attendees, assisted with registration, staffed author events, supervised book signings and much more.

Time Commitment: Volunteers sign up for one or more 3-4 hour shifts on one or both days.

Requirements:
• The majority of volunteer activities require being on your feet for most of your shift.
• Please wear comfortable shoes and khaki or beige pants or shorts.
• Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. (You cannot bring children under the age of 18 with you during your shift. )

Benefits: Volunteers will receive free parking, shuttle service from the parking lot and lunch.   Volunteer t-shirts will be provided to wear and keep after the event.

*Please sign up as soon as possible as space fills up quickly and the final deadline for pre-registering as a volunteer is April 5, 2017.

After you express interest in this opportunity, you will be sent further instructions on how to complete your volunteer registration.

Apr
29
Sat
YALLWEST
Apr 29 – Apr 30 all-day

YALLWEST is a Young Adult Literary Festival held in Santa Monica. This year they are bringing in over 125 authors for a weekend of panels, signings, and fun. They also bring in over 800 students from Title 1 schools with their program Books, Buses, and Burgers. This allows students free transportation to the festival, lunch, and a free book of their choosing.

Volunteer hours are between 8:00 am – 7:00 pm and they run in 4-hour blocks.

Tasks:

  • Panel Monitoring
  • Ticket taking
  • Author Signings
  • School Escorts

Time Requirement: shifts are 4 hours long, there is a 1-hr training session held the week before the festival

Perks: free parking, a t-shirt, a free ticket to a Festival Ticketed event of your choosing

Sign up: https://www.yallwest.com/get-involved/#volunteers

Questions: email Volunteer Coordinator, Gretchen Schreiber, at gretchen@yallwest.com

How it Works

You can SEARCH by scrolling through the Months or by selecting different Categories or Tag functions. For a totally different view, try the Posterboard or Stream options! Feel free to submit an item for the calendar by clicking the “Submit Your Event / Opportunity” button above at the right-hand side of the page. Questions? Email calendar@bigsunday.org.