Volunteer at the Wren's Nest
The Wren's Nest couldn't function without an enthusiastic family of dedicated and charming volunteers. We'd love for you to help.
Our volunteers mentor KIPP Scribes and the Wren's Nest Publishing Company, lead tours of the historic home, lend a hand during special events, or help out around the yard.
Okay, now picture all those leaves on the ground. Yikes!
Our current volunteers (thank you very much!) are listed below. Think your name should be there in the future? Pick a volunteer category below and follow the instructions to sign up:
Still have questions? Email Sue, our valiant Executive Director, for a courteous, informative reply.
Our Awesome Volunteers: 2010 - 2011
A.J. Dempsey is a senior at Morehouse College and is from West End. Yes! Way to start things off right! A.J. also might want to be a lawyer, which is significantly less awesome than being from our neighborhood. A.J. is fluent in French and volunteers with the KIPP Scribes.
Ajay Pillarisetti is a PhD candidate at U.C. Berkeley, but before he left graciously took all the pictures for Don't Forget That Day. Ajay also co-founded Campus Movie Fest, which is actually A Really Big Deal, while he was a student at Emory. [Flickr]
Alicia Johnson is a graphic designer at Turner Sports, but that didn't stop her from designing the cover of Midnight Consumption, 2011's offering from the Wren's Nest Publishing Co. You can talk to Alicia about the Addams Family, the White Stripes, and what my cousin was like in her 20s. [bwak bwak bwak]
Amanda Heckert is a senior editor at Atlanta Magazine. One time her great-grandmother broke her leg and Amanda's parents were all like "she was trying to climb the water tower to take a bath." Many years later, Amanda found out this was not true, not in the least. Amanda now volunteers with the KIPP Scribes. [Atlanta Magazine]
Amelia Lerner helped launch the Wren's Nest Publishing Co. and the KIPP Scribes before becoming the development director at Dad's Garage Theatre Company. She appreciates the little things in life. The smaller the better, in fact. We can't keep Amelia away, and so far it hasn't been a problem. [Twitter]
Anna DunLany is a recent graduate of Agnes Scott College and has the hookup at Greene's Fine Foods. (Fine Foods, I'll have you know, is a euphamism for candy.) Anna graciously volunteers her time with the KIPP Scribes.
Anne Cunningham is a recent graduate of Agnes Scott College. Anne came to the Wren's Nest as an intern and still volunteers her time at the office being In Charge when our staff is busy napping and/or taking exorbitant vacations. Thank you, Anne: you're great. [Twitter]
Annette Shakespeare plays maracas and tambourine in the band Tom Hill and the Midnight Suns. The band can be seen from time to time at Elliot Street Pub, the Clermont Lounge, and at Shuffles in Winder. Annette volunteers on Saturdays at the museum. [Tom Hill and the Midnight Suns]
Beth McBee is a neighbor, a scholar, and one tough face painter. Beth volunteers her time in the community, is a fitness instructor, and takes care of a wonderful family. Beth volunteers at Wren's Nest Fest each June.
Beth Powell is a writer and editor who recently earned an MFA in creative nonfiction. She's taught at Penn State, been publishind the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and now teaches online. It is the future, after all. Beth volunteers with the KIPP Scribes. [Official Site]
Betsy Dilla recently graduated from Notre Dame, sure. But that's not slowing her down! Betsy has been giving tours at the Wren's Nest for several months now, and take it from me: she's Hall of Fame material. Betsy is all about historic preservation, and we're kind of all about her.
Betsy Rhame-Minor is a freelance writer and editor originally from North Carolina. She has an excellent accent and is really, really good with the students. Betsy volunteers her time with the KIPP Scribes. [Rhame Communications]
Bobby Woodard is a recovering teacher from Memphis, Tennessee. Bobby got a MA from Clark-Atlanta University right down the street, so he knows what's up. It's no wonder he's volunteering with the KIPP Scribes this year.
Bret Royal Keyes is a student at Kennesaw State University and a one-time swim coach at a prestigious swim club in Michigan. Bret and Lain could probably talk about swimming all day. He's volunteering with the KIPP Scribes.
Brooke Hatfield is the relatively new art director at the Washington City Paper. We miss her already, but her copy-editing knows neither bounds nor geography. Brooke volunteered with the KIPP Scribes and edited the thing, too. [Portfolio]
Carleigh Knight teaches writing at KIPP South Fulton. Carleigh was kind enough to be a utility player during last year's KIPP Scribes program. Then, lo and behold, she became the writing teacher at KIPP South Fulton. We really like Carleigh! [KIPP South Fulton]
Catherine Lee works for the City of Decatur. She co-founded the fantastic fashion blog Asian Cajuns and routinely helps out during Victorian Christmas. Catherine is a real connoisseur of house museums, so it says something that she likes us. Mostly that we're not all that bad. [Asian Cajuns]
Christina Lee is a freelance writer who knows about music, the Vietnamese tourism industry, and The Wire. She likes Justin Timberlake and isn't ashamed to admit it. Who can blame her? That guy is great. Christina volunteers with the KIPP Scribes. [Portfolio]
Colleen Jordan is a freelance designer who has experience with book design which, as you might guess, is very a very attractive quality in a volunteer who is helping create a book. Colleen is volunteering with the KIPP Scribes. [Portfolio]
Damon Sgrignoli writes for a living. We don't know what exactly, but we're sure it's fantastic. Damon is one of the best storytellers known to Atlanta, which is saying a lot coming from this particular museum. He volunteers with the KIPP Scribes. [Writer Damon]
David Purdum is a sports writer originally from New Orleans. He's covered the Hawks for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and occasionally rocks some pretty cool mutton chops. (Trust us: we've seen our share of uncool mutton chops.)
Diana Guyton is a student at Columbia and intern of the year for 2011. She is infinitely more capable than any of current Wren's Nest staff, and that includes Miss Nannie, surprisingly enough. Diana has gotten her brain in four of our Wren's Nest Publishing Co. books. She's what we call an original gangster here in the pros. [Twitter]
Dindy Yokel specializes in writing about luxury. What a gig! We should all do that right now, just drop everything. Dindy is so smart! Her work has appeared in National Geographic and other prestigious publications. She's very generous and volunteers with the KIPP Scribes. [Dindy Writes]
Eileen Drennan is freelance writer who had a storied career at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. I'm not clear on how storied or which stories, but there are some I'm sure. Eileen volunteers with the KIPP Scribes.
Emily Hauck is a designer at Lampe-Farley Communications. She's the brains behind the cover of The Bard and the Muckraker which we can all agree is a pretty outstanding cover. Emily devoted her time to the Wren's Nest Publishing Co. last summer. [Portfolio]
Hannah Palmer is a designer and writer who originally hails from Forest Park, GA. She's interested in the development of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, this new baby that she has, and yuletide mix tapes. Hannah volunteers with the Publishing Company. [Strong Silent]
Gray Chapman is a freelance writer and an Interesting Person. She's written for Paste Magazine where she published an interview called "Bustin with Augusten," which also means she's funny. Gray volunteers with the KIPP Scribes. [Gray Writes]
Ida Beth Barner runs the Bubbling Creek Company with her husband, Greg. Ida Beth is the muscle behind the Victorian Christmas party and has been for years. She also prints our t-shirts et al, so all of you can stop calling me and trying to sell me your printing services, please. [Bubbling Creek]
Jackie Lee helps us put together Victorian Christmas every year. She is an impressive person because she raised Catherine and Lauren Lee, also Wren's Nest volunteers. Her influence is nearly exponential and her eye for Victorian Christmas decorations, enviable.
Jamie Allen co-founded Chronicle, a writing, editing, and branding company. He writes things like, "How I'd Communicate My Feelings About Starbucks' Wi-Fi Policy If I were a Soap Opera Writer, A Hollywood Screenwriter, a Sci-Fi Writer, A Playwright, or an E-mail Writer" for mcsweeneys.net. Then Starbucks goes and changes its Wi-Fi policy. Jamie volunteers with the KIPP Scribes and the WNPCo. [Chronicle]
Jamie Gumbrecht is a scribbler and producer for CNN.com. Jamie has given tours of both the AJC and CNN for the WNPCo. She gives excellent advice, makes a mean vegan macaroni and cheese, and knows several facts about Michigan. Jamie has held many baby animals. [Portfolio]
Jon Philipsborn is an environmental consultant originally from Evanston, IL. He likes birds, writing about birds, talking about birds, living amongst birds, and Northwestern. Wildcats roar! Jon lives in Atlanta now and last year he volunteered with the KIPP Scribes.
Julianne Brown may very well be on her way to a PhD in film. Or, she might be on her way to something completely different. Either way, you should ask her about costumed children's party performers. We're thankful Julianne is volunteering with the KIPP Scribes.
Kay Powell is a retired Atlanta Journal-Constitution editor and reporter. She is from Valdosta and has one of the best accents any of us have ever heard. Kay has interviewed over 12,000 people and knows a thing or two. She volunteers her time with the KIPP Scribes. [Decatur Book Festival Bio]
Kathleen McNeil wrangles Atlantans for yelp.com, which seems like a really cool job. Think about it: write about restaurants and stuff, be friends with a bunch of people, and send out some email blasts. That's it, right? Kathleen volunteers with the KIPP Scribes. [Twitter]
Kimberly Turner is a co-founder of Regator and the best DJ this side of the Missouri River, which is slightly better than this side of the Mississippi River. She also used to write for a living before creating an awesome internet startup. Kimberly volunteers with the KIPP Scribes and the WNPCo. [Regator]
Krista Derbecker manages Little Shop of Stories, the greatest little shop of stories. Krista volunteered with the KIPP Scribes last year when she wasn't as important as she is now. You, yes you, can buy copies of Don't Forget That Day directly from Krista. Otherwise, we're sold out. [Little Shop of Stories]
Lauren Lee is a designer and computer genius. Lauren volunteers her time with Wren's Nest Fest, Victorian Christmas, and the Wren's Nest Publishing Co. She's also responsible for designing things like "this website" and the cover of Don't Forget That Day. She also co-fashions a popular fashion blog. [Asian Cajuns]
Lisa Brathwaite is a playwright. You might also say that she is "funny" and "clever." I know I would. She's also got lots of nonprofit experience, so she can tell when we don't know what we're doing. Lisa is a mom, too(!), but somehow makes time to volunteer with the KIPP Scribes. [Twitter]
Matt Boyer is an attorney, and yet we still really like him. Matt competes in triathalons, which in may sound crazy to you and me, but he digs it, so I guess it's okay. Last year Matt volunteered with the KIPP Scribes.
Marshall Thomas ensures our grounds look good most of the time. He's also served on our board for a spell and has dedicated himself to the preservation of the Wren's Nest perhaps more than any of our staff, volunteers, and board. Thank you very much for your service, Marshall. [Wren's Nest Board]
Rachael Maddux has been an editor at Paste Magazine, a contributor to Atlanta Magazine, and a blogger for New York Magazine's vulture.com. She came up with the name "the KIPP Scribes" and probably deserves a medal or an award or a house museum because after all, that's a pretty good name. [Portfolio]
Randy Osborne is the guy behind Carapace. Last week he was out with a cold, so I didn't have an opportunity to glean biographical information for this little write-up. But so far we get along real well, I'll say that much. [Carapace]
Rebekah Good-Peoples is a teacher. She's also in an awesome band, Oryx and Crake, which also happens to be the name of a Margaret Atwood novel. Rebekah just started volunteering with the KIPP Scribes this year, and we couldn't be thrilled-er. [Oryx & Crake]
Taliah Reid is an Atlanta native whose first taste of employment occured at the good ole Wren's Nest House Museum. She's building a career in Human Resources, but since school she's made volunteerism a part of her life. She's a do-gooder, and that's A-OK with us.
Terra Elan McVoy is an author of young adult fiction, most notably: Pure and After the Kiss. She's also the Program Director of the Decatur Book Festival. It is a wonder she has any time to devote to the KIPP Scribes, but there she is every single week she doesn't have jury duty. [Official Site]
Tim Regan-Porter is co-founder of Paste Magazine. That should say it all, really. Are you not familiar with Paste? Where have you been? Let's help you: [Paste] Oh, and Tim also volunteers with the KIPP Scribes.
Tom Bell is a co-founder of the Decatur Book Festival and of Chronicle, a writing, editing, and branding company. Tom's brain helped come up with the Wren's Nest Publishing Co. He has been a gracious volunteer and voice of reason from the beginning. [Chronicle]
Vené Franco is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in Bon Appétit, Atlanta Magazine, and other fine publications I can't think of right now. She just broke up with her blog, but that doesn't mean you can't snoop around in the archives. We roped Vené into volunteering with the KIPP Scribes two years in a row! [Write Novel, Buy Eggs]
Internships
Internships at the Wren's Nest are hectic and unpaid exercises in historic preservation, event planning, publication publishing, website updating, and the occasional floor mopping.
Still interested?
Send us your resume along with a few good reasons why you want to work with us to [email protected].