Yes, you can make change. It seems too good to be true, especially when hearing the news every day. Every city in Multnomah County offers opportunities to volunteers who bring their time and talents to work toward a better future, and you don’t have to be wealthy to be powerful.

Money is tight for people and governments right now, and the to-do list for our communities never gets shorter, but there is always something every one of us can do, and most of it simply requires showing up and caring. Volunteering doesn’t have to mean politics or policy debates. It can be a few hours planting flowers in a park, advising a city board on topics you know well, or staffing a community event you already enjoy.

This post  is for anyone in Multnomah County who has ever said “I want to help” and wasn’t sure where to start. I’m spotlighting opportunities in five cities in the county beyond Portland, because every corner of the metro area has needs, and because of that, opportunities for committed volunteers.

Of course, groups like  Hands on Portland and places like Blanchet house  always need people, and there is always something to be done. Find what fits your life; it works well because you can try a couple of different things. A one-time event costs you nothing but an afternoon, and you might discover something you love doing every month. It could be with the farmers’ markets or working with a festival in town.

Every city in our county includes boards and committees, which are  more of a long-term commitment — from a couple months to a couple years. For a lot of committees and groups, you do not need to be a master of something so much as you need to show up and you need to be ready to learn. If there are things you have experience in or a degree in you may be able to find related  openings (you may also be able to try for a state board). If you are going to school or have gone to a training program, volunteering for a committee might be  another way of seeing how people interact with issues and help elected officials develop policy.

From my experience, board participation can also be very disabled friendly. Even on the days where things may make me feel weak or tired, a meeting is easier to sit through and still focus on versus something more physically active. I have a history of nerve damage, and I find it’s feasible to volunteer when all I need to do is read about the issues and go to meetings online. By state law, most public meetings need to have some hybrid capability for meetings. If accessibility is an issue for you, check with the group before you apply. 

Civic Volunteer Opportunities in Multnomah County Whether you have a free afternoon or want a longer commitment, there’s a place for you. The cities below all welcome volunteers for everything from community events to advisory boards — and most just need someone willing to show up. MultDems also post various volunteer opportunities open to all Democrats in Multnomah County.

T.J. Anderson is a Precinct Committee Person and communications team volunteer with the Multnomah County Democrats.

Notes

MultDems post various other volunteer opportunities, open to all Democrats in Multnomah County.
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