• Home
• About Us
• Staff
• Volunteers
• Internship Opportunities
• Tours
• Map/Directions
• Collections & Research
• Research
• Collections
• Exhibits
• Past Exhibits
• Bob Dole in His Own Words
• Ask an Archivist
• Support
• Related Links
• Senator Dole on Wikipedia
• United States Senate website
• Biographical Dictionary of the United States Congress
• THOMAS, legislative information from the Library of Congress
• Center for Legislative Archives
• WorldCat Online
• University of Kansas Library Catalog
• Association of Centers for the Study of Congress

Volunteer Opportunities

Long-time Dole Archival volunteer, Steve, identifies individuals in photographs in the Dole collection.

Dole Archive volunteer, Sandi, transcribes Dole family letters from the 1940s.

Long-time Dole Archive volunteer, Nancy, enters program data into the database.

Following the 1996 presidential election, University of Kansas officials approached the Senator in hopes of obtaining his personal and public papers. Senator Dole urged the creation of a non-partisan institution that would, in addition to housing his papers, celebrate public service and encourage increased citizen participation in the political process.

The Institute seeks to fulfill that larger vision through exhibits, presentation of awards, public lectures, and other events. Contributions by an active group of volunteer program provide valuable assistance to professional staff.

Diverse volunteer opportunities and training are available:

• Processing historic documents and other archival material
• Scanning photographs
• Data entry
• Photo identification
• Providing clerical support to staff
• Using unique skills, such as cataloging experience

These projects, requiring many different talents and skills, are vital to the archival operation of the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics. Volunteers meet new people, improve skills, learn to use state-of-the-art equipment, and acquire greater knowledge of America's history. Archivists provide orientation, training, and supervision to all volunteers. We ask that all volunteers who are accepted into our program commit to at least 3 hours of service per week for a minimum of one semester.

Volunteers Recognition Luncheon

Every spring we honor our volunteers with a special volunteer recognition luncheon. This year on May 13th we had a pasta luncheon buffet at a local restaurant. After lunch the volunteers were recognized for their dedicated service to the Dole Archives during the past year. Gifts were distributed and one of our volunteers won the door prize, the book "Presidential Wit" signed by Senator Bob Dole.

Those in attendance at the 2010 Volunteer Recognition Luncheon:

Left to right, Morgan (Sr. Archivist), Sandi, Nancy, Dianna, Steve, Judy (Media and Exhibits Archivist), Charles and Dave.

 

For more information about the volunteer program please contact Judy Sweets at: asweets@ku.edu