Up-Cycle is an up and coming, Middlebury-based non-profit and second-hand store for teens and young adults. It aims to offer fashionable and affordable clothing to a diverse group of teens and young adults as well as foster recycling awareness through clothes swapping and local resale.

An info session will be held today, Monday 11/16 @ 8pm in Axinn 220! Opportunities to get involved are listed below.

Media/Promotion Specialist: Responsible for spreading advertisements and promotions about the store out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. Should be media savvy, able to work in a team, and/or as a mentor to a high school student. Something goes out at least once a week (weekly outfit, workshops, etc., henna tattooing). Estimated time commitment: 1-2 hrs/week.

Store Volunteer Responsible for day to day maintenance of the store throughout open hours. Work could include selling, sorting, and taking in consignments. Should be enthusiastic and have fun being around clothing and young adults, and have a fashion sense and awareness of the importance of upcycling. Needs to be friendly and outgoing, trustworthy, able to work in a team, and should have common sense. Estimated time commitment: 6-8 hrs/month

Writing Assistant: Works with the executive director on researching and writing grants to sustain the store for the first year. Talks about ideas, write grants, and letters. Input and ideas from writing assistant would be welcomed by director. Estimated time commitment: could be one time or on a regular basis.

Outreach Coordinator: Follows up on connections the store manager and board members have throughout the community.  Could entail going individually or with a group of teens to a meeting and presenting the store objectives and mission. Meetings would be mostly in the local community, such as Church outreach programs, Service Organizations, etc. Should be a good leader and able to represent the project. Estimated time commitment: 5 hrs/month.

Business Assistant: Responsible for putting in paperwork and assistance in managing the business side of the store. Should be tech savvy, business smart, know how to do book keeping, and know his/her way around payroll, nonprofit issues, etc. Estimated time commitment: 2 hrs/week.

Program Coordinator: Responsible for organizing local involvement. Researches possible workshops and trainings concerning young people, such as sewing, jewelry making, dress for success, etc., finds guest speakers for special programs, such as nutrition, body image, issues around fashion and media in our society, contacts adult and teen artists who would like to display their art work in the store for 4 to 6 weeks. Estimated time commitment: 2 hrs/week.

Ambassador at the college: Responsible for organizing college involvement in the project. Would help spread the word amongst peers, hang posters, and get in touch with dining hall managers to put up boxes. Would act as a liaison between the store and the common houses, etc. Estimated time commitment: 5 hrs to 10 hrs (one time commitment and seasonal).

Board member: Would serve an advisory position to help maintain a hip, fashionable, and youth-centric store. Many potential involvement opportunities (e.g. in fundraising, as treasurer, as secretary). Estimated time commitment: 2 hrs/month.

-Alison Haas ’16, CE Communications Intern