Volunteer Opportunities
Regions
Statewide Campaigns - Volunteer Opportunities
The Special Places Campaign is focused on protecting special coastal and ocean places through the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), including fully-protected Marine Reserves. Community Organizers are volunteers that work to build support in their community for establishing real habitat protections for Oregon's Ocean (http://www.surfrider.org/specialplaces/index.htm). To volunteer contact Pete Stauffer pstauffer@surfrider.org
Activities May Include: (choose what interests you!)
- Write letters to the editor in local newspaper
- Attend public meetings and provide comments on behalf of Surfrider
- Gather petition signatures from local residents
- Host home screening of Common Ground film (guest speakers provided)
- Develop Action Alert for website
- Secure endorsements from city council members
- Outreach to local surfers, windsurfers, kayakers, fishermen on topic
- Participate in local ocean action teams (e.g. Port Orford)
Pete Stauffer
Oregon Policy Coordinator, Surfrider Foundation
(503)887-0514
pstauffer@surfrider.org
Wave Energy
Wave Energy planning is moving forward quickly on the Oregon Coast. Proposed projects include Newport (2), Florence, Reedsport, Winchester Bay, Coos Bay, and Bandon. Surfrider's interested role is to make sure that wave energy development in Oregon happens in a responsible way and that concerns related to environmental impacts, public safety, ocean recreation, etc are substantively addressed.
Volunteer opportunites include:
- Participate in local stakeholder planning procceses
- Technical reveiw (e.g., EMFs, wave height extraction)
- Educate surfers and other citizens on the issue (e.g. presentations)
- Legal research support
To volunteer: contact Pete pstauffer@surfrider.org
Portland Chapter and North Coast
Jocelyn Gary is the volunteer coordinator. While many of the contacts for volunteer opportunities differ below, Jocelyn can always help coordinate your inquiries with all opportunities in the right direction garyjocelyn@gmail.com.
Snowrider Project
Snowrider is a mountain watershed awareness and educational program that participates in a variety of activities from mountain cleanups to tabling and outreach.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Let the SKI and SNOWBOARD MOVIES BEGIN!!! Looking for a few good volunteers to table at local showings of 2009 premieres!
1. October 11th, 2009 POWDERWHORES return to the McMenamin's Kennedy School (Porltand Oregon) 6:30PM for their premiere of "Flakes".
2. Teton Gravity Research's "Sessions" premiere at the Aladin Theatre. Doors at 7PM.
3. November 11th, 2009 Sweetgrass Productions premiere of "Signatures". McMenamin's Kennedy School 7PM.
You can check out the Snowrider Project Webpage at: http://snowriderpdx.wordpress.com. Or you can contact Snowrider Project Coordinator Michael Halle with any questions, ideas, or emails at: michael@mhalle.com .
Portland: Storm Drain Marking (May-September)
Portland Chapter volunteers install "Dump No Waste" permanent curb markers with The City of Portland during the summer months. This reminds people that storm drain catch basins are for rainwater only. Contact John Thompson SurfAeronca@Hotmail.com to learn more about stormdrain marking.
Volunteer Opportunities include:
*Event Announcing and Recruitment: Announce event monthly and help encourage volunteer participation.
*Storm Drain Volunteers: Participate in monthly stormdrain marking. Training Time: 10 minutes. Time Commitment: 1-2 hours monthly. Prior Experience: None.
WHEN: Saturday October 24th from 10:00 AM-Noon
WHERE: meeting near the corner of SE Cesar Chavez Blvd (Se 39th Ave) & SE Franklin St (one block north of Powell Blvd.)
Please plan to arrive a few minutes early to sign the necessary waivers and get a short course in Catch Basin marking. I have all the supplies and all we need are volunteers.
If rain is predicted within 12 hours either side of the event will be cancellled (the adhesive won't stick if water is present). If you have questions concerning weather, need directions or general questions, give John Thompson a call at 503-936-8052.
Portland Chapter's BAN THE BAG CAMPAIGN: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
1) Plastic Campaign Web Mail Manager Needed! This technologically savy individual is needed to help merge all of our petition signers into a cooler email account so we can message to them and coalition groups. Please contact Charlie at cplybon@surfrider.org.
2) Tabling Coordinator Needed! Some lucky volunteer is needed to help identify, schedule, and coordinate summer tabling opportunities at street fairs, markets, etc. We can really leverage for petition signatures, etc. Please contact Charlie at cplybon@surfrider.org.
3) Coalition Coordinator Needed! We have 30 + signers on our letter, but have done very little to activate them in the campaign. This person will be responsible for a) monthly email updates to coalition, b) identifying & promoting opportunities for businesses/ groups to engage c) phone outreach to priority coalition partners. Please contact Gus Gates at ggates@surfrider.org, or Pete Stauffer at pstauffer@surfrider.org
4) Petition Event! Volunteers needed to help gather signatures at a group petitioning event at Fred Meyer or Safeway, Wednesday October 28th from 3:00-8:00PM. Please contact Charlie at cplybon@surfrider.org.
5) Plastic Petitioners Needed! Volunteers are needed to help canvas and gather signatures for our Plastic Bag Ban. Sites and dates will be determined by individuals! No training necessary.
6) Phone Bank/Email Outreach: volunteers are needed to help call and/or eamil businesses to get organizations to sign onto our coalition. This would take about 5-10 hours of work! Interested volunteers can email Pete Stauffer at pstauffer@surfrider.org.
7) Artists needed: we need new cardboard "Ban the Bag" displays for tabling and outreach opportunities. If you're interested in helping develop new displays, please contact Pete Stauffer at pstauffer@surfrider.org.
8) Get our Posters out in the public. Volunteers needed to get the "Ban the Bag" posters out in prominent businesses and retails areas where they would be seen by the masses! Interested volunteers can email Pete Stauffer at pstauffer@surfrider.org.
Charlie Plybon will be conducting trainings and can supply you with anything you need to make your canvasing experience a success! Please contact Charlie at cplybon@surfrider.org.
Blue Water Task Force: Oswald West to Seaside
The Portland chapter has officially moved our water quality lab to Astoria High School. In the coming months the chapter will be looking for north coast volunteers to help collect samples and transport samples along the north coast from Oswald West State Park to Seaside. Our sampling days are Mondays. This would include collecting ocean samples and taking them to the lab drop off site to be tested. Interested in helping with sampling, contact Mark "Finger" Taylor finger@coldwatersurf.com. If interested in helping with Astoria High School's lab and students contact Tim Roth at dignenpdx@hotmail.com.
Educational Beach Cleanups
Teachers, students and camps welcome! For school and camp groups we have educational beach cleanup scavenger hunts to keep your kids having fun while they learn and develop stewardship skills. Give us a couple of weeks notice and we will provide everything you need to make your trip to the beach respectful and fun! Contact Charlie at cplybon@surfrider.org. Other educational materials also available.
Tabling and Fundraising Events
Want to learn more about Surfrider, make some new friends and help promote our message, then tabling events might be just for you! Tabling involves hanging out in cool places like surf contests, concerts, the beach, or festivals. Warning: tabling events often involve (although do not require) listening to killer bands, exhaustive dancing, and consumption of alcohol; be prepared to have fun. Have any brilliant ideas for a good fundraiser? We would love to hear your ideas and help put them into action. Contact Jocelyn at the email address above!
If you like to check out our Volunteer Menu Book from our Nationals, you can read further about opportunities at mailto:http://www.surfrider.org/files/Volunteer_Menu_Book.pdf.
Interested in learning more about beach conservation and how you can sustainably keep our beaches green? Check out our "20 Simple Things You Can Do For Cleaner Oceans, Beaches, and Waves" at mailto:http://www.surfrider.org/files/Twenty_Ways_2006.pdf.
Snowrider Project
Snowrider is a mountain watershed awareness and educational program that participates in a variety of activities from mountain cleanups to tabling and outreach.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Let the SKI and SNOWBOARD MOVIES BEGIN!!! Looking for a few good volunteers to table at local showings of 2009 premieres!
1. October 11th, 2009 POWDERWHORES return to the McMenamin's Kennedy School (Porltand Oregon) 6:30PM for their premiere of "Flakes".
2. Teton Gravity Research's "Sessions" premiere at the Aladin Theatre. Doors at 7PM.
3. November 11th, 2009 Sweetgrass Productions premiere of "Signatures". McMenamin's Kennedy School 7PM.
You can check out the Snowrider Project Webpage at: http://snowriderpdx.wordpress.com. Or you can contact Snowrider Project Coordinator Michael Halle with any questions, ideas, or emails at: michael@mhalle.com .
Portland: Storm Drain Marking (May-September)
Portland Chapter volunteers install "Dump No Waste" permanent curb markers with The City of Portland during the summer months. This reminds people that storm drain catch basins are for rainwater only. Contact John Thompson SurfAeronca@Hotmail.com to learn more about stormdrain marking.
Volunteer Opportunities include:
*Event Announcing and Recruitment: Announce event monthly and help encourage volunteer participation.
*Storm Drain Volunteers: Participate in monthly stormdrain marking. Training Time: 10 minutes. Time Commitment: 1-2 hours monthly. Prior Experience: None.
WHEN: Saturday October 24th from 10:00 AM-Noon
WHERE: meeting near the corner of SE Cesar Chavez Blvd (Se 39th Ave) & SE Franklin St (one block north of Powell Blvd.)
Please plan to arrive a few minutes early to sign the necessary waivers and get a short course in Catch Basin marking. I have all the supplies and all we need are volunteers.
If rain is predicted within 12 hours either side of the event will be cancellled (the adhesive won't stick if water is present). If you have questions concerning weather, need directions or general questions, give John Thompson a call at 503-936-8052.
Portland Chapter's BAN THE BAG CAMPAIGN: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
1) Plastic Campaign Web Mail Manager Needed! This technologically savy individual is needed to help merge all of our petition signers into a cooler email account so we can message to them and coalition groups. Please contact Charlie at cplybon@surfrider.org.
2) Tabling Coordinator Needed! Some lucky volunteer is needed to help identify, schedule, and coordinate summer tabling opportunities at street fairs, markets, etc. We can really leverage for petition signatures, etc. Please contact Charlie at cplybon@surfrider.org.
3) Coalition Coordinator Needed! We have 30 + signers on our letter, but have done very little to activate them in the campaign. This person will be responsible for a) monthly email updates to coalition, b) identifying & promoting opportunities for businesses/ groups to engage c) phone outreach to priority coalition partners. Please contact Gus Gates at ggates@surfrider.org, or Pete Stauffer at pstauffer@surfrider.org
4) Petition Event! Volunteers needed to help gather signatures at a group petitioning event at Fred Meyer or Safeway, Wednesday October 28th from 3:00-8:00PM. Please contact Charlie at cplybon@surfrider.org.
5) Plastic Petitioners Needed! Volunteers are needed to help canvas and gather signatures for our Plastic Bag Ban. Sites and dates will be determined by individuals! No training necessary.
6) Phone Bank/Email Outreach: volunteers are needed to help call and/or eamil businesses to get organizations to sign onto our coalition. This would take about 5-10 hours of work! Interested volunteers can email Pete Stauffer at pstauffer@surfrider.org.
7) Artists needed: we need new cardboard "Ban the Bag" displays for tabling and outreach opportunities. If you're interested in helping develop new displays, please contact Pete Stauffer at pstauffer@surfrider.org.
8) Get our Posters out in the public. Volunteers needed to get the "Ban the Bag" posters out in prominent businesses and retails areas where they would be seen by the masses! Interested volunteers can email Pete Stauffer at pstauffer@surfrider.org.
Charlie Plybon will be conducting trainings and can supply you with anything you need to make your canvasing experience a success! Please contact Charlie at cplybon@surfrider.org.
Blue Water Task Force: Oswald West to Seaside
The Portland chapter has officially moved our water quality lab to Astoria High School. In the coming months the chapter will be looking for north coast volunteers to help collect samples and transport samples along the north coast from Oswald West State Park to Seaside. Our sampling days are Mondays. This would include collecting ocean samples and taking them to the lab drop off site to be tested. Interested in helping with sampling, contact Mark "Finger" Taylor finger@coldwatersurf.com. If interested in helping with Astoria High School's lab and students contact Tim Roth at dignenpdx@hotmail.com.
Educational Beach Cleanups
Teachers, students and camps welcome! For school and camp groups we have educational beach cleanup scavenger hunts to keep your kids having fun while they learn and develop stewardship skills. Give us a couple of weeks notice and we will provide everything you need to make your trip to the beach respectful and fun! Contact Charlie at cplybon@surfrider.org. Other educational materials also available.
Tabling and Fundraising Events
Want to learn more about Surfrider, make some new friends and help promote our message, then tabling events might be just for you! Tabling involves hanging out in cool places like surf contests, concerts, the beach, or festivals. Warning: tabling events often involve (although do not require) listening to killer bands, exhaustive dancing, and consumption of alcohol; be prepared to have fun. Have any brilliant ideas for a good fundraiser? We would love to hear your ideas and help put them into action. Contact Jocelyn at the email address above!
If you like to check out our Volunteer Menu Book from our Nationals, you can read further about opportunities at mailto:http://www.surfrider.org/files/Volunteer_Menu_Book.pdf.
Interested in learning more about beach conservation and how you can sustainably keep our beaches green? Check out our "20 Simple Things You Can Do For Cleaner Oceans, Beaches, and Waves" at mailto:http://www.surfrider.org/files/Twenty_Ways_2006.pdf.
Central Coast Opportunities
Katie Trautman is the Volunteer Coordinator for the Newport/Central Coast Chapter. While many of the contacts for volunteer opportunities differ below, Beth can always help coordinate your inquiries with all opportunities in the right direction (wahine676@yahoo.com)
Blue Water Task Force
Sampling water quality and research is one of the primary focal points of the Newport/Central Coast Chapter. We sample 4-8 sites, some on a monthly frequency and others on a weekly frequency. We are always in need and recruiting new volunteers to help collect samples, participate in research and support our local water campaigns through grassroots advocacy. As with most volunteer opportunities there are many levels of commitment. Listed below are some of the easier introductory opportunities. Please contact Katie at wahine676@yahoo.com.
Otter Rock Sampler: Collect monthly water quality samples from otter rock and transport to Oregon Coast Aquarium drop box.
Training Time: 1-2 hours maximum
Time Commitment: 1-2 hours monthly
Prior Experience: None
Nye Beach/Agate Beach and South Beach Sampler: Collect monthly water quality samples from either Nye Beach area or South Beach area and transport to Oregon Coast Aquarium drop box.
Training Time: 1-2 hours maximum
Time Commitment: 1-2 hours monthly
Prior Experience: None
Nye Creek Research and Campaign Workgroup
For the past several years, the Central Coast Chapter has been meeting with the city to discuss concerns that have been raised regarding contaminated water along Newport's Nye and Agate Beaches. This workgroup’s agenda includes water quality improvement through source ID, extended monitoring and research and solution discussions with the city of Newport. The Chapter needs people to be involved in this important program. Contact Beth at wahine676@yahoo.com.
Beach Cleanups
Beach cleanups are fun, easy and you can never do too many! Going to the beach? Why not do a beach cleanup with your group. Coming alone or with just a few friends, participate in one of our scheduled cleanups. See our calendar of events: (http://www.surfrider.org/oregon/events.html) or contact Katie at wahine676@yahoo.com.
Educational Beach Cleanups
Teachers, students and camps welcome! For school and camp groups we have educational beach cleanup scavenger hunts to keep you’re your kids having fun while they learn and develop stewardship skills. Give us a couple of weeks notice and we’ll provide everything you need to make your trip to the beach respectful and fun! Contact Charlie at cplybon@surfrider.org. Other educational materials also available.
South Beach Stewardship Projects
The Central Coast Chapter has a formal partnership with South Beach State Park’s Adopt-a-Park Program. We participate in a variety of projects ranging from beach cleanups and water quality to invasive species removal and managing pet waste bag dispensers. If you’re interested in volunteering with this program, a variety of opportunities exist. Contact Joe at haxsoul@charter.net.
Adopt-a-Highway
The Central Coast Chapter is looking to recruit a new Adopt-a-Highway coordinator for our stretch of highway between Moolack and Beverly Beaches. Coordination requires little experience and a time commitment of 3-4 hours a month. Contact Craig at cdemott@charter.net.
Blue Water Task Force
Sampling water quality and research is one of the primary focal points of the Newport/Central Coast Chapter. We sample 4-8 sites, some on a monthly frequency and others on a weekly frequency. We are always in need and recruiting new volunteers to help collect samples, participate in research and support our local water campaigns through grassroots advocacy. As with most volunteer opportunities there are many levels of commitment. Listed below are some of the easier introductory opportunities. Please contact Katie at wahine676@yahoo.com.
Otter Rock Sampler: Collect monthly water quality samples from otter rock and transport to Oregon Coast Aquarium drop box.
Training Time: 1-2 hours maximum
Time Commitment: 1-2 hours monthly
Prior Experience: None
Nye Beach/Agate Beach and South Beach Sampler: Collect monthly water quality samples from either Nye Beach area or South Beach area and transport to Oregon Coast Aquarium drop box.
Training Time: 1-2 hours maximum
Time Commitment: 1-2 hours monthly
Prior Experience: None
Nye Creek Research and Campaign Workgroup
For the past several years, the Central Coast Chapter has been meeting with the city to discuss concerns that have been raised regarding contaminated water along Newport's Nye and Agate Beaches. This workgroup’s agenda includes water quality improvement through source ID, extended monitoring and research and solution discussions with the city of Newport. The Chapter needs people to be involved in this important program. Contact Beth at wahine676@yahoo.com.
Beach Cleanups
Beach cleanups are fun, easy and you can never do too many! Going to the beach? Why not do a beach cleanup with your group. Coming alone or with just a few friends, participate in one of our scheduled cleanups. See our calendar of events: (http://www.surfrider.org/oregon/events.html) or contact Katie at wahine676@yahoo.com.
Educational Beach Cleanups
Teachers, students and camps welcome! For school and camp groups we have educational beach cleanup scavenger hunts to keep you’re your kids having fun while they learn and develop stewardship skills. Give us a couple of weeks notice and we’ll provide everything you need to make your trip to the beach respectful and fun! Contact Charlie at cplybon@surfrider.org. Other educational materials also available.
South Beach Stewardship Projects
The Central Coast Chapter has a formal partnership with South Beach State Park’s Adopt-a-Park Program. We participate in a variety of projects ranging from beach cleanups and water quality to invasive species removal and managing pet waste bag dispensers. If you’re interested in volunteering with this program, a variety of opportunities exist. Contact Joe at haxsoul@charter.net.
Adopt-a-Highway
The Central Coast Chapter is looking to recruit a new Adopt-a-Highway coordinator for our stretch of highway between Moolack and Beverly Beaches. Coordination requires little experience and a time commitment of 3-4 hours a month. Contact Craig at cdemott@charter.net.
South Coast Volunteer Opportunities
Port Orford: Water Sampling (Blue Water Task Force)
Surfrider, Pacific High School and the Port Orford Ocean Resource Team have partnered to form a Blue Water Task Force water quality testing and monitoring program. We need people to help collect samples in the Port Orford and Winchester Bay areas. Specific needs are listed below. Contact: Charlie Plybon CPlybon@surfrider.org
- Program Coordinator: liaison between laboratory field staff (3 hours/month)
- Water sample collectors: collect freshwater samples around Port Orford or Winchester Bay (1 hour/month)
Port Orford: Special Places Campaign
There are open positions on this Advisory Team relevant to Port Orford-area residents: Contact: Charlie Plybon CPlybon@surfrider.org or Leesa Cobb at the POORT office poort@carrollsweb.com or 541.322.0627
Ocean Recreation: assist POORT's projects by providing ocean recreation needs and perspective
Member-At-Large: assist POORT's projects by providing general community needs and perspective
