Volunteer for LWVPDX

The League Needs Member Volunteers

Some LWV volunteers greet guests at events

We depend on our member volunteers to help us improve our communities and support democracy. Most League volunteer opportunities are only available to members. If you are not yet a member, please join us.

We invite YOU to volunteer

  1. Check one or two activities that interest you on the printable Member Volunteer Interest Form and mail it with your name and contact information to our office at League of Women Voters of Portland, PO Box 3491, Portland OR 97208-3491
  2. Or  fill out our electronic: Member Information and Volunteer Form.

Whether you can contribute an occasional hour or two or would like to spend more time on projects that interest you, there’s a job for you. Plus, when you volunteer for the League, you have the opportunity to sharpen your skills in leadership, communications, research, public speaking and more.

The descriptions below may be helpful if you are considering volunteering. Use the listed emails to get more information. We suggest selecting only one or two volunteer opportunities that interest you and fit your schedule.

Core Mission Committees

These committees carry out the work of the League to educate our members and the public about elections and policy issues, and to advocate for better communities.

VOTER SERVICE 

Contact voterservice@lwvpdx.org.

There are many options for helping with voter service. Training is provided for all activities.

  • Video Voters’ Guides: Conduct friendly online candidate interviews. All interviews are conducted online, from a script provided to you, via Zoom (from your home!).
  • Voter Forums: Contacting candidates or experts on ballot measure pro and con for public forums and moderating the online Forums.
  • Voters’ Guide; and VOTE411: Drafting questions for candidates; researching/writing ballot measure explanations with pros and cons; proofreading of print and online election information. Your skills are matched with need.
  • Voter Registration and Engagement: Public voter registration expanding public outreach. Ongoing and continuous, see linked example of LWVPDX voter registration volunteers’ guide.
  • Speakers Bureau (speakers@lwvpdx.org): Speak to organizations that request nonpartisan presentations on ballot measures and other issues/topics. Ongoing and continuous.
  • Multnomah County Directory of Elected Officials: This team updates the list of elected officials after each candidate election is certified. Volunteers need computer, data collection, proofreading, and phone sleuthing skills. The two months following a primary, general, and special election.

ACTION  

Contact action@lwvpdx.org.

Track an issue of interest to you and of importance to the community.  Observe and report on the proceedings of public meetings of governmental bodies and/or advocacy groups. These reports give us background information for our educational and advocacy efforts. Current and continuing Action areas are: Affordable Housing; Air Quality; Campaign Finance; Civic Engagement/Neighborhood Associations; Fossil Fuel Infrastructure/Climate Change; Joint Terrorism Task Force; Portland Charter Review Commission; Portland Harbor Superfund Site; Portland Police Bureau/Police Oversight; Portland Utility Board; and Universal PreKindergarten. 

COMMUNITY EDUCATION

Contact communications@lwvpdx.org

  • Help plan and host public panel presentations on policy topics. Committee members plan the agenda, contact expert panelists, and may also prepare information about experts for the League moderator. Sometimes they write newsletter articles and publicity about these events.
  • Organize special public events. The committee members select a venue, order food, invite a speaker or speakers, and host the event.

    MEMBER INTEREST GROUPS

    Members gather in the League name, around an area of interest for learning and collaboration, prospective study, or future advocacy. Open to all members. There are several Interest Groups.

    • Justice
    • International Relations
    • Behavioral Health
    • Portland City Government Transition

    For more detail see our Interest Group webpage.

    DISCUSSION UNIT VOLUNTEERS

    Contact units@lwvpdx.org

    Discussion Units meet once a month in Sept, Oct, Nov, Jan, Feb, Mar, and Apr. Discussion Unit leaders invite interested members to the meetings and introduce topics of each meeting. They often recruit other members to lead each discussion. Notetakers take notes during the discussions and send them to the Unit Coordinator.

    Organizational Committees

    These committees support the work of the League by providing publicity, funding, financial services, and volunteer recruitment.

    FINANCES

    Contact treasurer@lwvpdx.org or budget@lwvpdx.org

    The LWV finances are managed by volunteer members. Specific financial work may include:

    • Serving as an Assistant Treasurer
    • Working on the Budget or Endowment Committees
    • Bookkeeping
    • Develop policies and procedures.

      COMMUNICATIONS

      Contact communications@lwvpdx.org  for general communications or newsletter@lwvpdx.org (for newsletter)

      • Publicity: write or send out press releases, design ads and flyers.
      • Take photos; record/edit videos; design graphics
      • Post on social media (Should understand the League)
      • Help with website content.
      • Write/edit newsletter (The Voter) articles on our monthly activities

        DEVELOPMENT

        Contact development@lwvpx.org

        Raise the funds to carry out our work.

        • Prepare materials for development campaigns.
        • Engage with individual donors via letters and telephone calls.
        • Develop relationships with corporate and foundation donors in preparation for requesting support.
        • Work with members on planned giving.
        • Help organize special fundraising events.

        MEMBERSHIP ENGAGEMENT

        Contact membership@lwvpdx.org

        • Welcome new members, plan engaging events, and help members find the best way they can make a difference.

        OFFICE HELP

        Contact info@lwvpdx.org

        • Help with occasional USPS mailings; or other office/clerical jobs.

        LWV OF PORTLAND BOARD

        Contact nominating@lwvpdx.org

        • Board/Committee Leadership: We are a working board, and welcome interested members to consider being appointed or elected to leadership and  board positions.