Responsibilities

Welcome customers to our luxury consignment stores and help them find just the thing they’re looking for. Volunteers work under the direction of the Store Manager to keep our stores and the merchandise looking its best to create a customer-focused environment for the people who come to shop or consign. You’ll learn and develop experience in sales, luxury brand knowledge and retail operations.

Requirements

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, reliability and flexibility are required. Knowledge of luxury brands and previous experience in retail sales or customer service is desirable but not required. Must be able to stand for long periods of time.

Time commitment

Shifts are 3-4 hours. Time commitment is flexible but volunteering on a consistent schedule is helpful but not necessary. We’ll work with you based on your availability. Volunteers for late afternoon and weekend shifts are always highest need.

Responsibilities

Volunteer at our Highwood Warehouse with the Home Decor or Fashion Team. Home Decor volunteers assist the staff with processing, packing, and unpacking inventory for safe transfer or storage. Fashion volunteers assist with processing clothing and accessory donations and merchandise throughout the year that will be sold at our annual Sidewalk Sale.

Requirements

Must be capable of standing for extended periods of time on concrete floors, work safely in a warehouse environment, and be flexible with changing priorities. Light lifting is required.

Time commitment

Shifts are 3-4 hours at our Highwood Warehouse location and volunteers commit to at least one shift per week.

Responsibilities

Volunteer under the direction of the Fashion Merchandise Pricing Team to assist with assessment and quality of fashion intakes and preparing our merchandise for the sales floor.

Requirements

May involve data entry, internet research and computer skills.

Time commitment

Schedule varies based on store location.

Responsibilities

Requirements

Must be an organized, detail-oriented person with an interest in photographing a variety of merchandise. No formal photography training is needed. Training on our process and requirements will be provided.

Time commitment

Most photographers volunteer 1-2 days per week for 2 hours in the store and 1.5 hours editing and uploading images that can be done at home. Schedule is dependent on hours of operation of the location where you are assigned.

Responsibilities

Requirements

This role requires smartphone and computer usage. Interest in graphic design, content creation, and marketing strategy is a bonus!

Time commitment

Schedule varies based on location and seasonal need.

Responsibilities

Requirements

Experience with videography and YouTube filming, editing, and processing for distribution. Requires travel to all our locations. Volunteer must provide all equipment needed for filming and editing.

Time commitment

Filming sessions will be approximately once a month on a flexible schedule.

Responsibilities

Requirements

Must possess computer skills and attention to detail to be certain information is entered accurately. Previous data entry experience is helpful. Work must be done at one of our store locations.

Time commitment

Varies depending on task assigned.

When your application comes automatically to the volunteer@northshoreexchange.org email address, you will receive a confirmation email from that email address. Please expect to be contacted by our Volunteer Director within 2-3 days of application submission.

Your application will be forwarded to the manager of the volunteers for the position(s) where you indicated interest. That person will contact you, answer any questions you have and schedule an on-site interview. That will be your opportunity to see where you’ll be volunteering, discuss your availability and scheduling needs, and see if it’s a good fit for both of you. You’ll also be offered an opportunity to shadow a volunteer if you want to observe in person what you’d be doing before making a decision.

We have a Volunteer Training Manual that your manager will go through with you for our new Retail Sales Assistants. Training specific to other positions will be done by the manager who supervises the volunteers in that area. Your manager will be there as you assume your volunteer role to help you and answer questions.

If you’re volunteering in one of our stores, our dress code is fashionable business casual. Blue jeans, shorts and athleisure attire are not permitted. If you’re volunteering in a non-public space (ex: Warehouse), check with your manager for the dress code.  

You’ll get to meet interesting people, have fun and learn new things while giving back. Our recognition program offers the organization the opportunity to recognize and thank our volunteers at times throughout the year.

Yes, there is parking available at all our locations but depending on where you volunteer, a parking permit may be required or there may be a fee.

Metra stops are within a short distance from our stores in Wilmette, Glencoe and our Warehouse in Highwood. The 900 North Michigan building where our Chicago store is located is on several bus routes.