Rummage RAMPage has experienced tremendous success over the year due to the volunteers who staff the event on behalf of their non-project organizations. The more hours volunteers works, the more funding their organizations receive. Volunteering at Rummage RAMPage is a wonderful way to give back to the community, have fun, and help keep usable items out of the landfill. 

There are requirements for certain positions such as the ability to lift small items or the ability to help move sofas or large furniture. Volunteers should read the position descriptions carefully before committing to a shift.

Important Dates

• Rummage RAMPage 2025 will be Friday, July 25, through Saturday, Aug. 2.
• (Friday, July 25 is only for processing donations. Sales begin on Saturday, July 26.)
  
  

Volunteer Job Categories:

• Large Item Floor Crew (requires one 3-hour shift)
• Small Item Floor Crew (requires one 3-hour shift)
• Arranger and Cleaner (requires one 3-hour shift)
• Traffic Control (requires one 3-hour shift)
• Overnight Security (requires one 4 or 8-hour shift)
• Lead Person (requires two 3-hour shifts)

Some rules:

• Volunteers must be 16 years or older to be unaccompanied by an adult and have hours counted. Volunteers younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult, and hours do not count separately for any person younger than 16 years.

Job Descriptions

Large Item Floor Crew (Loader, Mover, Inventory, Merchandising)

• Load and unload large items from vehicles (must be able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds).
• Greet shoppers.
• Display and arrange large items as donations arrive or large items are sold.
• When a customer selects a purchase, direct the customer how to pay for the item, mark it sold, and monitor the area to ensure that paid furniture is removed by the new owner.
• Assist customers’ additional needs and questions as necessary.
• Assist in other volunteer roles as needed and able.

Small Item Floor Crew (Loader, Mover, Inventory, Merchandising)

• Unload small item donations (must be able to life up to 25 pounds).
• Greet shoppers.
• Transport small items to inventory area and track the quantity.
• Display and arrange small items as donations arrive or small items are sold.
• If time allows do light cleaning of items and confirm that donated items work.
• When a customer selects a purchase, direct the customer how to pay for the item, mark it sold, and monitor the area to ensure that paid furniture is removed by the new owner.
• Assist customers’ additional needs and questions as necessary.
• Assist in other volunteer roles as needed and able.

Arranger and Cleaner

• Display and arrange items as donations arrive or items are sold (must be able to lift up to 10 pounds).
• Greet shoppers.
• Do light cleaning of items and confirm that donated items work.
• When a customer selects a purchase, direct the customer how to pay for the item, mark it sold, and monitor the area to ensure that paid furniture is removed by the new owner.
• Assist customers’ additional needs and questions as necessary.
• Assist in other volunteer roles as needed and able.

Traffic Control 

• Greet customers and welcome them to the event (must be able to stand and walk (as needed) for the duration of shift).
• Offer an overview of the event and how to participate.
• Give directions and manage traffic flow for vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the intermodal area.
• Answer questions about the event.
• Assist customers’ additional needs and questions as necessary.
• Assist in other volunteer roles as needed and able.

Overnight Security

• Must be awake and alert for overnight responsibilities.
• Maintain secure environment for all donated items on the sales floor and sold items awaiting pick-up.
• Complete small organizing, cleaning, moving tasks to prepare for the next sales day as assigned by City staff or Lead Person (must be able to lift up to 25 pounds).
• Complete weather-proofing and clean-up as needed for rain events.
• Greet visitors who may stop by to look over items or inquire about the event. No sales duties.
• Ensure immediate contact with City staff on call for any emergencies or concerns of safety, etc. (after dialing 911).

Lead Person (requires previous Rummage RAMPage experience)

• Assign Large Item Floor Crew, Small Item Floor Crew, Traffic Control, and Arranger and Cleaner volunteers based on available volunteers and the requirements of the overall needs of Rummage RAMPage.
• Support the Large Item Floor Crew, Small Item Floor Crew, Traffic Control, and Arranger and Cleaner volunteers during busy times (must be able to lift up to 25 pounds).
• Assist in pricing.
• Assist customers as necessary.
• Coordinate with the City of Ames employee on duty.

For more information about volunteering at Rummage RAMPage, contact Bill Schmitt, Resource Recovery Plant, at bill.schmitt@cityofames.org or Merry Rankin, ISU Director of Sustainability/Ames Sustainability Coordinator, at mrankin@iastate.edu.