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Be the change. Volunteer.  

Get Started!

 

Step 1: Register

In order to view and sign up for projects, you must first register on our site.

 

Why register? Our goal is to successfully connect volunteers to the nonprofits who need them most. By registering on our site, we are able to validate your contact information to ensure that nonprofits can successfully follow up with you when you sign up fo an opportunity. Registration also allows you to access a number of valuable tools and resources through the Member Center. You can track your volunteer and donation history, view upcoming projects, remove yourself from projects you are no longer able to attend and much more. Read our Privacy Policy.

 

Step 2: What Do You Want To Do?

There are so many ways to volunteer; the choices can often be overwhelming. What types of opportunities you look for and where on this site you will find them will depend on a number of factors. Here are a few things to consider …

  • How much time do you have? Several hours per week, or just a few hours per year?

  • What level of commitment are you willing to make? Can you commit to volunteering on a regular basis for several months, or are you looking for something more flexible?

  • Who’s volunteering with you? Just you? Your family? A group of friends or co-workers?

  • Who do you want to help? What issue areas are you passionate about? Do you want to work with seniors? With children? With animals? The environment? Once you’ve decided, think more about specific populations. For example, if you want to work with children, what age and in what field? Literacy? Disabled services? Sports and recreation? Arts & Crafts?

  • What do you want to do? – Do you want to utilize existing skills, or develop new ones? Do you want to provide ”direct service,” i.e. work directly with the recipients of service, or indirect service, working in a support role?

Tip: Take your time. Finding the right volunteer opportunity is like finding the right partner – if your interests and skills don’t match, or you don’t find the relationship fun and rewarding, you’re unlikely to continue.

 

Step 3: Explore the Programs

In light of the many different choices, Hands On offers a wide range of programs designed to provide all members of our community with the opportunity to make a difference. Regardless of your answers in Step 2, we are confident that you will find an opportunity that’s right for you. Check out our different programs to find the type of volunteer opportunity most interesting to you:

 

The following sections may also be of interest:

 

One-Time Projects

Sign up for CommunityWorks and you'll join a group  of volunteers on a 2-4 hour project. No advance training or ongoing commitment required.

 

Join a Team

Join a TeamWorks team of volunteers and commit to a schedule of projects over a few weeks.

 

Lead a Project

With the help of our Project Leaders, Hands On Greater Portland develops and manages every aspect of our projects, from agency contact and volunteer sign-ups to project management and follow-up. As our strongest link to the community, Project Leaders ensure that every volunteer has a positive experience and that the real needs of the agencies are being met.

 

Bulletin Board of Opportunities

Check out a variety of other volunteer opportunities managed by our community partners through our NetWorks program.

 

Civic Leaders

Interested in nonprofit board membership? Civic Leaders matches leaders, especially leaders of color, with leadership opportunities with nonprofit Boards and government Commissions.

 

AmeriCorps Alums

Join in the goal to build a statewide alumni chapter that includes all streams of service.

 

Volunteers Under 18

If you're under 18 years old, just check the project description to find out if the project has an age minimum.

 

Court-Ordered Service

If you have court ordered community service hours, you may find opportunities to complete those hours through Hands On Greater Portland. If you need documentation of your hours for the courts, please contact our office at 503.413.7787 and we will provide you with a summary of your hours. PLEASE NOTE: Individuals who have been convicted of or charged with any crime involving or relating to child abuse or neglect, child pornography, child abduction, or any other violent offense, including kidnapping, rape or any sexual offense, or who have ever been ordered by a court to receive psychiatric or psychological treatment in connection with such crime or crimes are NOT permitted to register on this site.

 

Tip: Update your Personal Information. By going to the Member Center and updating your Personal Information, we will be able to get a better idea of what types of opportunity may be most suitable for you.

 

Step 4: Sign-Up

When you find a project that’s right for you, you will have the opportunity to either

(for projects that are time and date specific)

 

or (to provide more information on how to get involved).

 

Step 5: Volunteer and Have Fun!

Please…don’t be a no-show - once you sign up for a project, the nonprofit is relying on you to meet certain needs in their organization. If you can’t attend, please visit the Member Center and remove yourself from the project as soon as possible. By signing up for projects and not attending, you may be depriving the project of much-needed support that could be gained by giving someone else a chance to take your place.

 

Step 6: Don’t Give Up

If you don’t get a response immediately, please be patient. It may take a few days for a Volunteer Coordinator to get back in touch with you. If you haven’t gotten a response in 3 days, please contact Hands On Greater Portland to let us know at 503.413.7787.

 

There are hundreds of opportunities that need your support. Keep looking and trying until you find the perfect fit!

Volunteer Profile

Meet Larry Kotan!

Making a difference is an important part of Larry Kotan's life. Read about his volunteering experiences.

 

Get Involved!

 

One-Time Projects

 

Join a Team

 

Lead a Project

 

Bulletin Board of Opportunities

 

Civic Leaders

 

AmeriCorps Alums

 

Volunteers Under 18

 

Court-Ordered Service

 

 

© 2008 by HandsOn Network. Privacy Policy.

Headquarters:

1621 NW 21st Avenue

Portland, Oregon 97209

503.200.3355

info@handsonportland.org

 

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 4889

Portland, OR 97208-4889

Washington County Office:

3700 SW Murray Blvd., #190

Beaverton, Oregon 97005

503.846.5796

info@handsonportland.org

 

AN AFFILIATE OF Points of Light and Hands On Network