The power of volunteerism is strong in Novi. We have dedicated residents who freely give of their time to support a variety of programs and events, and whose passion has an impact on the City as a whole.

Volunteering opens the door to meeting new people, experiencing personal gratification, learning a new skill, sharing your expertise, and gaining knowledge of city government and community, which all make positive impacts for the City of Novi. Many volunteer opportunities exist within different departments of the City.

If you have any questions about volunteering or would like to apply to volunteer, contact Volunteer Outreach Coordinator Katherine Oppermann at 248.347.0478 or email koppermann@cityofnovi.org. We look forward to seeing new faces engaged in OUR Novi!

AMBASSADOR ACADEMY
This is a great program to learn about where you can have an impact on your City. The Novi Ambassador Academy is an eight-week course held in the fall that allows community members to become “students” and examine the inner workings of City government. The sessions are led by department representatives and often include a hands-on approach to learning about specific services.

BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
The City has several boards and commissions in need of volunteers who want to participate in local government and ensure the City Council receives a broad spectrum of public input. Anyone interested in serving on a board or commission needs to complete an application that is forwarded to City Council for review and eventual appointment decision. Call Deputy City Clerk Dawn Spaulding at 248.347.0577 to learn more and see what openings are available.

COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (CERT)
The CERT program is a group of dedicated volunteers who are on call in case of emergency but also help at parades and a variety of other community events. The program is open to anyone who wants to learn how to be better prepared before, during and after an emergency. Training for this group takes place once per year. Contact the Novi Police Department at 248.347.0556 or visit cityofnovi.org/cert to learn more.

VOLUNTEERS IN PUBLIC SAFETY (VIPS)
The VIPS team enhances the safety of the community by observing and reporting incidents requiring a public safety response. VIPS members patrol Novi parks during special events, serve as handicap parking enforcement, conduct Home Watch checks and educate the public on home safety and crime prevention topics. Contact Novi Police Sgt. Mark Boody at 248.348.7100 with questions.

OLDER ADULT SERVICES
There’s a variety of ways to support the 55+ population in Novi through Novi Older Adult Services. There are volunteer opportunities for specific programs so residents could do everything from volunteer as a bingo caller or special event server to packing or delivering food for Meals on Wheels and helping at the Welcome Desk inside the Novi Civic Center. There’s also always a need for Medicare counseling and tax preparation volunteers and training is provided.

NOVI YOUTH ASSISTANCE
The non-profit organization housed in the Novi Civic Center focuses on providing early intervention programs to support and educate families in Novi. Volunteers are needed to serve on the board of directors and a variety of other committees, from fundraising and scholarships to seasonal programs and youth recognition. They also have a mentoring program that pairs adult mentors with a Novi youth. Call the NYA office at 248.347.0410 to learn about volunteer opportunities.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
The Friends of the Library is a dynamic group that assists the library through fundraising, volunteer work and public presentations. The Friends operate the used bookstore call The Book Nook and donate money raised throughout the year to support the Library. Some of the donations include a 3D printer, iCube DIY equipment, STEAM kits, and so much more. Contact friends@novilibrary.org to learn more.