Volunteer at DACOR

 
DACOR is a member-run organization and as such depends on volunteers. Volunteering at DACOR and the DACOR Bacon House Foundation runs from one-off opportunities to long-term leadership opportunities as our volunteering needs are constantly changing. We encourage members interested in getting involved to fill out the Volunteer Interest Form. The form is used to match potential volunteers with our community's needs, which can be found in the list below. This selection is not exhaustive and periodically updated. If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please fill out the Volunteer Interest Form, indicating which specific opportunity you are interested in and the appropriate contact will be in touch soon!
 

Current Volunteer Opportunities

 

Committee	Task(s)/Role(s)	Skills, Experiences and Other Information
Mentor Program	Mentors needed for the 2025-2026 DACOR-GWU Mentor Program and the DACOR-UDC Mentor Program. Apply at https://forms.gle/284gzQnAKg23ikgz7	Mentors are DACOR members (both resident and non-resident, including spouse/partner members) with a background in foreign affairs and/or international experience. There are three mentoring options: the undergraduate Global Studies Program at the University of the District of Columbia; or one of two graduate programs at George Washington University’s Elliot School of International Affairs -- Asian Studies (AS) or International Development Studies (IDS). Prospective mentors must complete the application at https://forms.gle/284gzQnAKg23ikgz7 to be considered.
DACOR Museum	Docents	Engaging, hospitable history buffs preferred. Must be willing to train with DACOR curatorial staff and read/research the history and stories about the House. Must be available for one or two shifts (2-3 hours long) per month to lead tours for interested guests.
Development & House Preservation	Librarian to lead the cataloging, organizing, documenting, and maintenance of books within the Battle-Torbert Library.	A detailed oriented person with knowledge and/or experience in Library Science preferred and an interest in literature and foreign policy. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and database software also preferred.
Education	DACOR’s new Sherry Barndollar Rock Scholarship, given to a Foreign Service spouse or partner assigned abroad to continue their education: Volunteer(s) welcome to help develop selection criteria and help select a recipient.	The Education Committee will choose the scholarship recipient in the first quarter of the calendar year. Volunteer (s) may work virtually.
Education	DACOR’s 11 Fellowships annually given to graduate students with strong interest in international affairs careers: Volunteers welcome to help interview and help select recipients.	The Education Committee generally conducts interviews for the Fellowships in March and April, either virtually or in-person.
Program	In coordination with Committee Chair and DACOR staff, volunteer(s) needed to plan, organize, recruit experts for speaker programs.	Useful background: Knowledge/awareness of foreign policy subject matter expertise and thought leadership in local, national and international think tanks.
Public Outreach	Volunteers needed for Public Advocacy Outreach 1. Write/edit/place DACOR-developed op-eds, Letters to Editors, etc. 2. Develop and sustain a timely/relevant social media presence across DACOR’s sites.	Public Advocacy Outreach Skills: Writing, editing, deep knowledge of diplomacy and foreign policy topics.  Experience in effective use of social media platforms for public engagement
Travel	Volunteer(s) to plan and organize educational and cultural travel to local, national and foreign destinations for DACOR members.	The Travel Committee organizes trips to destinations as close as Metro DC and as far away as Southeast Asia.