INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s Docent Council needs volunteers to lead tours. Bilingual candidates are especially needed. Prospective docents should have an interest in studying art and public speaking and working with children. One year of training is provided in art history and touring techniques. Application deadline is March 7. Information: (323) 857-6119.

* The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens needs rose garden docents to lead weekend tours. A three-session training course begins Feb. 19 at 9:30 a.m. No previous experience or horticultural background is required, but a general knowledge of roses is helpful. Information: (626) 405-2127.

* Travelers Aid Society of Los Angeles needs people to assist passengers at Los Angeles International Airport and Union Station. Information: Christine Okinaga, (310) 646-2270.

* Five Acres, the Boys’ and Girls’ Aid Society of Los Angeles County, based in Pasadena, needs foster parents, especially for deaf children. Financial and practical support are provided. Information: (626) 844-1430, Ext. 210.

* Women Helping Women Services, a community service of the National Council of Jewish Women/Los Angeles, needs volunteers to staff the counseling talk line. Information: (323) 651-2930.

* The Josephson Institute of Ethics, a Marina del Rey-based organization engaged in research and education for the improvement of the ethical quality of society, needs volunteers with computer knowledge, telephone skills and general office skills to assist staff with its programs and publications. Information: Lynn Boone, (310) 306-1868.

* Meals on Wheels, Santa Monica, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, needs people to deliver meals to the ill, elderly and other homebound people weekdays. Training is provided. Information: Joanna Vasquez, (310) 394-7558.

* Kitten Rescue needs volunteers to provide foster homes for cats and kittens and volunteers to work at weekend adoption events on the Westside. Training is provided. Information: (818) 347-3037.

* American Tortoise Rescue, which provides rehabilitation and adoption services for turtles and tortoises in Southern California, needs volunteers to pick up and deliver turtles and tortoises, to write grants and to help in the office. Information: (800) 938-3553.

* Sojourn Services for Battered Women and Their Children in Santa Monica needs volunteers for its fund-raising resource board. The board raises funds through events including a gala dinner-dance in September. Information: Roxann Smith, (310) 264-6646.

* Boys & Girls Club of Burbank needs volunteers to help children with their homework and reading skills, keep scores and times for the club’s sports leagues, and work at the reception desk. Information: Alex Fey, (818) 842-9333.

* Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, Los Angeles unit, needs volunteers to record textbooks on audiotape and other formats for people of all ages with visual, physical or perceptual impairments. Information: (800) RFB-TEXT.

* Salvation Army of Torrance needs tutors, mentors and helpers for its Drop-In Center weekdays. Information: Volunteer Center, South Bay-Harbor-Long Beach, (310) 212-5009.

* Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles needs mentors for fatherless boys, 6 to 14 years old. Volunteers are also needed for group mentoring, sports and tutoring programs. Training is provided. Information: Volunteer Center, South Bay-Harbor-Long Beach, (310) 212-5009.

* Los Angeles Food Bank needs people to help inspect, sort, clean and repackage donated food and to provide clerical support, organize food drives and raise funds. Information: Volunteer Center, South Bay-Harbor-Long Beach, (310) 212-5009.

* Hollywood Entertainment Museum needs guides and docents for its interactive archives and exhibits, as well as people to staff special events and the Museum Shop, assist in the collections department, provide administrative staff support and mentor youths in the education department. A one-year commitment of four hours a week is required. Training is provided. Information: Ellen Siegel, (323) 960-4803.

Information for this column should be submitted typed and double-spaced to Involvement Opportunities, SoCal Living, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053.