REAL CHANGE DEPENDS ON AN INDEPENDENT PRESS

72% of Americans do not trust the media, and rightfully so. Those who own the media have used the industry to accumulate profits while serving up misinformation, disinformation, or just not reporting on relevant news for working class communities at all. They have turned the Fourth Estate into their estate. To change this, we, the disenfranchised, must invest our concern, our care and our time to build a real alternative press. BAAP needs you to fight for a media that is in the hands of the majority, and represents the interests of that majority. Call BAAP today at (510) 652-8828.

Which side are you on?

Illustration by Goran Rajkovic

WEEKLY AND MONTHLY VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

  • Two BAAP volunteers printing on a Chandler and Price letterpress.

    LETTERPRESS TRAINING

    SATURDAYS 10AM-3:30PM

    Volunteers learn to operate an 1891 Chandler and Price letterpress during BAAP’s Saturday print sessions. Volunteers work with members and learn the skills of traditional printing.

  • Photo of 3 volunteers printing on the 2-color Ryobi offset press.

    OFFSET PRESS OPERATOR TRAINING

    SATURDAYS 10AM-3:30PM

    BAAP provides on-the-job training from professional operators on how to run BAAP’s 2-color Ryobi press. Volunteers and members produce printed media for independent community organizations.

  • Photo of 4 volunteers at a table getting training on how to layout a magazine.

    PUBLICATION SESSIONS

    TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS 1-5PM

    Join BAAP’s twice weekly publication sessions where volunteers and members work with professional graphic designers, journalists and editors and learn to produce independent publications. BAAP hosts writing training sessions to teach volunteers how to write articles for BAAP’s quarterly magazine, Pressing Times. If you are a professional journalist, writer or editor, BAAP needs you!

  • Two volunteers sitting at a table making phone calls to recruit new volunteers.

    VOLUNTEER PHONING/MAILING SESSIONS

    MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS 5:30-8:30PM

    BAAP relies on printed letters and publications to reach new volunteers and supporters, and keep them informed of BAAP’s current programs and news. Volunteers are needed to assist with mailing these items and phoning sessions to contact media workers and all those interested in building independent press.

  • A volunteer learning how to print on the Xerox digital press.

    DESIGN TRAINING SESSIONS

    TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS 1-5PM

    BAAP needs graphic designers, web designers, photographers and copy editors to help design publications, flyers, booklets and more for independent community organizations. Join us whether you have publishing skills and can teach, or want to learn and participate.

  • Two volunteers posing in front of BAAP's booth at a street festival.

    COMMUNITY OUTREACH

    FRIDAYS AND SUNDAYS 10AM-4PM

    You can learn public speaking and community outreach at local grocery stores, farmers markets, universities, rallies and more. These activities play an instrumental role in organizing the volunteers and resources needed to build an independent press that unites media workers, low-income workers, community organizations, media consumers and all those who need truth in media.

BAAP is 100% volunteer run and does not accept a dime of government funding or other funding with strings attached. BAAP needs you to put printed material back in the hands of the most disenfranchised groupings.

steps to get involved

Flexible Hours

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Volunteers are needed daytimes and evenings, whether for a day, an hour, a week, a summer, or anytime. Call BAAP today at (510) 652-8828.

No Minimum

No Experience Needed

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We use “on-the-job” training, so anyone can learn while taking action and making a difference. No prior experience or special skills are needed.* Volunteers are productive from their first day in!

On-the-Job Training

Take Action Now

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Participation is open to all those who dare to care and invest the time. More and more of the media is owned by those who profit from sensationalism, scapegoating and exploiting workers and the planet. Your participation can make a difference in creating a truly independent press.

Learn Organizing Skills

A photo of a person calling into BAAP to find out about volunteer opportunities.

* Special skills welcome!

You call us.

We are open seven days a week, including evenings.

A photo of a volunteer sitting at a desk answering the phone.

We answer!

A volunteer will answer your call and any of your questions.

A photo of 2 volunteers printing on the Chandler and Price letterpress.

You schedule to volunteer!

No prior experience is necessary and you are productive your first day as a volunteer!

Organizing as a Profession

An illustration by Eduardo Pineda showing volunteers signing up members outside of a theater.

Illustration by Eduardo Pineda

Full-time Organizers Needed

BAAP provides organizer training through all our activities, thus giving volunteers the opportunity to become professional volunteer organizers. You must dare to care and invest the hard work to learn while doing, in other words, engage in “on-the-job training.” Volunteers are needed 365 days a year, daytimes and evenings, whether for a day, an hour, a week, a summer, a year or for the rest of your life! We own a strategy, a method and have a track record of success. The only missing ingredient is you! Call BAAP today!