Volunteer Page
Volunteer With Public Trust Now
Public Trust Now (PTN) is working to help Santa Clara become a City of Trust — a City where residents and government work together to strengthen public trust, improve civic life, address difficult issues honestly, and create a healthier future for the entire community.
We do that through careful research, documented evidence, constructive public dialogue, civic engagement, and a growing community of residents who believe ethical leadership, accountability, transparency, and public trust deserve a stronger voice in Santa Clara — and who want to help develop that voice.
Whether you have professional expertise, technical skills, civic experience, communications abilities, research interests, or simply a desire to contribute, there are many ways to help.
You do not need to be a political insider or subject-matter expert. You simply need to care about Santa Clara, be willing to learn alongside others, and want to contribute your skills, experience, ideas, and time in constructive ways.
Some volunteers may contribute occasionally. Others may become deeply involved in specific projects or initiatives. Both kinds of participation are valuable — and welcome.
Why Volunteer Here
Most other volunteer opportunities focus on meeting immediate community needs through direct service, non-profit work, advocacy, education, or neighborhood improvement.
Those efforts are important and deserve support.
Public Trust Now focuses on something different: helping strengthen the ethical and civic foundations that shape how the entire City functions over time.
Very few organizations focus specifically on public trust, ethical leadership, accountability, civic culture, democratic legitimacy, and the long-term health of local self-government itself.
We believe this work matters because these civic foundations influence every other part of community life.
Santa Clara should aspire to be more than the home of the San Francisco 49ers, major Silicon Valley companies, Santa Clara University, the George F. Hanes International Swim Center, or lower utility rates. It should also aspire to be a community where people trust one another more, participate constructively in civic life, solve problems creatively, and work together to build a stronger future.
When trust and ethical leadership grow stronger, solidarity among residents often grows stronger as well.
This is the vision we are working together to turn into reality.
To learn more about Public Trust Now’s philosophy, approach, and vision for a City of Trust, click here.
Volunteer Opportunities
Research and Documentation
Help gather and organize public documents, build timelines, review campaign finance filings, track important City decisions, and support fact-checking and research efforts.
Meeting Coverage
Attend or view streaming City meetings, take notes, identify important discussions, and help residents stay informed about Council or staff decisions, policies, and procedures affecting City residents and other stakeholders.
Writing and Editorial Support
Help edit articles, review drafts, improve clarity, fact-check information, and maintain high editorial standards.
Community and Outreach
Help welcome new participants, support open discussion and respectful disagreement, connect with community organizations, and strengthen civic participation across Santa Clara.
Communications Support
Help prepare newsletters, announcements, and social media updates that keep residents informed about important City issues and opportunities for civic participation.
Technical Support
Help maintain the website, post articles, troubleshoot WordPress, SeedProd, or Generate Blocks/Press issues, and support the technical side of the project.
Senior Advisors and Subject-Matter Experts
We are also looking for a small number of trusted advisors willing to provide occasional guidance on ethics, journalism, public administration, local government, campaign finance, law, and related issues.