Volunteer Opportunities

1] Kitchen Volunteers – Camp Korey

We have many kitchen volunteer days/shifts available between May 18 and August 10th.  Please e-mail pmackintosh@campkorey.org for more specifics on dates and shifts!

 

Responsibilities:
• Assist with setup of meals
• Assist with pan washing and dish washing
• General cleaning of dining area and kitchen
• Serving food (if applicable)
• Food preparation
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements:
Hepatitis A vaccine

Background Check
Must be physically independent to perform the duties of the volunteer position
Age 16+

Washington State Food Safety card (easily able to get for $10 online)

 

2] Bellingham Northwest Wine Festival – Whatcom Beer and Wine Foundation

The third annual Bellingham Northwest Wine Festival is on 4 August 2018. The Grand Public Tasting will be held at Four Points by Sheraton on Lakeway Dr. Last year’s event drew over 400 attendees and this year we hope to draw approximately 600. For more information please visit the event website, www.bellinghamnorthwestwinefestival.com.

The Bellingham Northwest Wine Festival is a fundraising event that will benefit: Lydia Place, Our TreeHouse, Growing Alliances, and Make.Shift.

We need volunteers to help register guests, distribute wine glasses/programs, assist with security, pour wine/beer/spirits, and assist in other areas as needed.

This event is made possible, in part, by a generous grant from City of Bellingham Tourism Board.

By “Family Friendly” we mean that this is an all inclusive all are welcome 21 years-old and older event.

 

 

3] Camp Horizon Spring Clean Up (copy) – Lions Camp Horizon

Saturday, May 12 900AM-400PM

Camp Horizon’s Spring Clean-Up is almost here. We need a good turnout to accomplish the various tasks that need to be undertaken in and around our 65+ year old buildings. There are tasks for almost every ability ranging from items such as landscape work (pruning, weed whacking, edging, pressure washing, weeding, etc.), painting (scraping, priming, painting, perhaps some minor wallboard patching), light plumbing repairs, cleaning, organizing supplies, filing, preparing camper nametag holders, moving “junk” to the area of the dumpster for disposal, replacing smoke detector batteries, window washing, etc.

Our volunteers accomplish a lot of tasks at Spring Cleanup while visiting with old friends and perhaps making a few new ones. Camp Horizon will provide refreshments, snacks, lunch and required supplies. If possible, please bring your own gloves and hand tools as we have a limited supply. Also a couple of extra weed whackers, pressure washers and step ladders would probably come in handy. Please put your name on anything you are bringing.

Don’t forget – invite your relatives and friends to help!

If you have any questions or concerns, please email:
VolunteerCoord@lionscamphorizon.org

 

4] Front Desk Volunteer-Communications Specialist Volunteer – Volunteer Center of Whatcom County

Position Title: FRONT DESK COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST VOLUNTEER
Department: Volunteer Center of Whatcom County, Front Desk
SUPERVISOR: Summer Starr
Hours and commitment: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 11-2pm; minimum 6-month commitment

OUR Mission: To mobilize volunteers to meet community needs, build the capacity of organizations to effectively engage volunteers, and inspire support for community service

Position Summary:
The Front Desk Communications Specialist carries out the duties associated with the VCWC Virtual Front Desk with an emphasis on tasks associated with communications, such as phone, emails, and marketing.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Answer Front Desk calls and respond to the calls appropriately, forwarding when necessary.
  • Check both Front Desk and personal emails and respond to emails appropriately, forwarding when necessary.
  • Conduct information sessions with walk-in volunteers.
  • Assist potential volunteers and community partners with online registration.
  • Complete the Hot Sheet and publish on a weekly basis.
  • Transfer new contacts from Get Connected/Galaxy Digital to Constant Contact.
  • Support services for the Volunteer Chore Program, as needed.
  • Update/maintain Court Mandated Community Service Sheet and forward to local court systems.
  • Maintain FAQ sheet.

DESIRABLE SKILLS:

  • Personable disposition and professional judgment.
  • Ability to prioritize and work with deadlines.
  • Experience with online registration systems preferred.
  • Experience with online publications and marketing materials preferred.
  • Experience with social media preferred.
  • Basic office skills, including Microsoft Office preferred.
  • Discretion with privileged information.
  • Professional social service standards and ethics imperative.

Training:

Training will be provided for selected candidates.  Volunteers are expected to attend any and all mandatory trainings.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work space has stairs and there is no elevator.  Position requires long-term sitting at a desk.

Volunteer REQUIREMENTS:

Volunteer will be background checked, including criminal history.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is generally performed in quiet office, but volunteer may occasionally be asked to attend events outside of the usual work environment.

BENEFITS:

  • Gain experience in office skills with a focus on communications.
  • Opportunity to positively contribute to the community.
  • Form and cultivate both professional and personal relationships.

Application deadline:

Open until filled.

 

5] Handbags for Housing – Lydia Place

Handbags for Housing, Lydia Place’s fabulous fashion and handbag-focused fundraising event is coming this June! As always, we’ll be showcasing the sheer power of local fashion and philanthropy through hundreds of handbags, a beauty bar, cocktail and wine vendors, live & silent auction, and a fabulous fashion show!

We’ll need volunteers who are friendly, hardworking, adaptable, and ready to provide a wonderful experience for our guests.

Does that sound like you? Sign up today, as spots will fill quickly! We need volunteers to help with set-up, clean-up, and the event itself.

 

Handbags for Housing Details:

Thursday, June 7, 2018

Set Up Support: shifts throughout the day

Event Support: 4:15-9:15 PM

Clean Up Support: 9:00-10:00 PM

Barkley Village Green (2219 Rimland Dr)

 

Volunteer Orientation (Required for Event Volunteers)

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

5:30-6:30 PM

Bell Tower Studios (1430 N Garden St)

 

 psst! This years’ theme is Alice in Wonderland & Mad Hatter!

 

6] Syringe Exchange Program Outreach Workers – Whatcom County Health Department

Syringe Exchange Program Outreach Workers participate in a unique harm reduction program that provides injection drug users with clean supplies and education to slow the spread of blood borne disease (such as Hepatitis C and HIV) and promote access to social and medical services.  Volunteers assist with client registration, distributing safe kits and exchanging dirty needles for sterile, encouraging clients to speak with the on-site treatment counselor , referring clients for appropriate individualized treatment, and health education. When not working directly with clients, volunteers prepare materials including making harm prevention packets that are given to clients.

The syringe exchange is conducted weekly on Thursdays from 2:30 to 5:15. Volunteer hours are 1:45 pm to 5:45 pm weekly or every other week. Volunteers must observe a session prior to engaging in any training, we are looking for a weekly or every other week 6 month minimum commitment.

To set up an informational interview and observation opportunity, applicants may contact:

Jacque Hindman           jvhindma@co.whatcom.wa.us  360.778.6111

 

7] Summer Volunteers for School Garden Care – Common Threads Farm

Would you like to help care for one or more school gardens over the summer? The links here (below) will take you to a Sign Up Genius for each garden so you can sign up! Common Threads Americorps Food Educators will wrap up their service by contacting all Summer Garden Care Volunteers for site-based trainings before our schools pause for summer. Thanks for your interest! Please contact us with any questions (info@commonthreadsfarm.org).

Read about last summer’s garden care volunteers here!

 

 

8] Facilitate an Operational Checkup for a Local Nonprofit – 501 Commons

Are you looking to contribute your skills to nonprofits in your community? Do you have a broad understanding of nonprofit administration and/or expertise in small business development? If so, look no further than becoming a Pathways consultant with 501 Commons. As a Pathways Consultant you will have the opportunity to make a fundamental difference in an organization’s ability to more effectively deliver their mission!

Pathways is a short consultative process that provides a framework for what it means to be a healthy nonprofit, tips on how an organization can “easily” move themselves up the ladder, and personalized assistance working through their more challenging issues. It is meant to help organizations take stock of where they are at and daylight a way forward.

Grounded in the Five Elements of a Healthy Nonprofit Assessment, Pathways helps organizations reflect on their own ability to:

  1. Exercise strong governance and oversight
  2. Demonstrate good management practices and a healthy organizational culture
  3. Secure the resources needed to carry out their missions and be accountable for management of funds
  4. Communicate and steward relationships with people who give them money, use what they create, help them meet their mission, and carry their message
  5. Deliver efficient and effective programs, services, and administrative systems

 

Pathways consultants work in teams of two to:

  • Facilitate the self-assessment process and help an organization come to consensus on where they are in regards to each of the five elements
  • Discuss easily addressed opportunities and help the organization determine priorities for additional consultation
  • Refer to curated recommendations in addition to doing a little research of their own to compose tailored suggestions to help the organization move the needle in a positive way

The entire Pathways process includes a series of four meetings held over the course of 8 weeks and approximately 15 hours of service per consultant.

Apply to volunteer with 501 Commons and prepare to make a difference in your own community.

For more information about Pathways or volunteering with 501 Commons, contact Jan@501commons.org.

 

 

9] Do you like Coffee and listening to Blues? – Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center

We are excited to continue this popular opportunity in 2018 (typically) on the 4th Wednesday of every month from 12pm-2pm. Each month will include something different depending on our needs and the next big event we have scheduled. Activities include mailings, writing, cutting, sorting etc…Also included is a fun assortment of Blues Music (not live music), good coffee and treats. Come to one or come to all. We look forward to meeting you and introducing you to our community!

Dates:

May 23, June 27, July 25, Aug. 22, Sept. 26, Oct. 24, Nov. 14 (2nd Wed) and Dec. 19 (3rd Wed)

 

Please RSVP to Leah@whatcomdrc.org

 

10] Off-Grid Homesteads and Tiny Homes – Sustainable Connections

Home and Landscape Tour

June 23rd, 9:30am-1:00pm, 1:00pm-4:30pm
We need volunteers to greet tour-goers and help with ticket sales at the 16th annual Imagine This! Home & Landscape Tour. This tour is an inspiration destination for do-it-yourselfers as they will delight in a day of exploring beautiful, innovative and eco-friendly homes and landscapes.

This year, we’re featuring a fun variety of homes including a cob cottage, several tiny homes, and off grid homesteads!

 

11] Take Career and Life Skills into the Classroom! – Junior Achievement

Make an exciting difference in the future of Skagit County students by bringing career and life skills into local classrooms. Junior Achievement (JA) needs volunteers to visit classrooms and lead students in Kindergarten through 12th grade through hands on, activity-oriented lessons.  These lessons provide innovative financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship education. 

We provide the lesson plans and training, and you share your life experiences while serving as a positive role model. Volunteering with JA is easy, rewarding and fun! 

 

12] ¿Habla Español? Help a senior get home from his medical appointment – Volunteer Chore Program

Help a senior with the Volunteer Chore Program get home from his weekly medical appointments. A volunteer driver is needed to help him get home from critical appointments, that end in the afternoon. He would greatly benefit from this assistance and would also enjoy the company!

Clients of the Volunteer Chore Program don’t have friends or family available to help and lack the funds to pay for assistance, so volunteers are truly the last resort!

If you would like to help this gentleman ensure he has access to proper health care, one to two hours a week will make all the difference!

 

13] Bellingham Girls Rock Camp – Roadie – Bellingham Girls Rock Camp

NO MUSICAL EXPERIENCE NECESSARY

YOU can make a difference in girls’ lives this winter!

Help set-up, breakdown, and move equipment throughout the week. Responsibilities include: re-configuring rooms for band practice everyday, helping with load in/out, and generally assisting Lead Roadie. We need at least 1 Roadie everyday. All genders, cis or trans*, are welcome.​​

Volunteers are required to attend a training session. Training sessions are being held Saturday, June 30th; Sunday, July 8th; and Wednesday, July 11th, 2018. You must attend one training session.

Girls Rock Camp! (ages 8-17)
Session 1: July 16 – July 21, 2018
Session 2: July 23 – July 28, 2018

Want to Help?

Click  to get connected to this volunteer opportunity. This will send notification of your interest and provide your contact information to this agency’s volunteer coordinator.

 

14] Greenways Advisory Committee – City of Bellingham

There are four (4) vacancies on the Board. Meets the 1st Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Mayor’s Board Room at City Hall.

The Greenway Advisory Committee shall identify, develop, review, and recommend selection criteria, general project priorities and specific actions relating to the expenditure and allocation of Greenway Levy Funds. The Committee shall work in cooperation with the Parks and Recreation Department staff per Council Ordinance 2006-09-096.

In its advisory capacity to City Staff, Administration and Council, the Committee considers recommendations and generates recommendations pertaining to:

  • City efforts to secure land and rights for open space, trails, and parks
  • Expenditure of Greenway Levy funds for purchase of property and for public improvements

Candidates must be current residents of the State of Washington, and have been so for at least three (3) years; must presently live within Bellingham City limits and have done so for at least two (2) years, unless otherwise specified and be a registered voter. Some residency exceptions may apply to certain boards. Please contact the Mayor’s Office for clarification: (360) 778-8100.

Applicants who meet the above requirements should submit an application form, which may be picked up from Centralized Reception at City Hall, 210 Lottie Street, or printed off of the City’s website. Applications should be mailed to the Mayor’s Office, 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham WA 98225 or scanned electronically and emailed to tlewis@cob.org.

 

15] Dining Room Volunteer – Whatcom Council on Aging

We are seeking Dining Room volunteers to assist the Kitchen staff by setting up the dining room, helping participants (when necessary), and clearing the dining room after the meal is served. During this shift you will also be able to sit and eat lunch as well as sit when taking lunch tokens in rotation with 3 other volunteers. The Dining Room is where you will meet folks from all backgrounds with fun, sometimes crazy stories. A food handlers permit is not required. The shift goes from 10:30am to 1:30 pm. Come join our team!

Days Needed:

Every Monday – 10:45am-1:30pm

Every Thursday – 10:45am-1:30pm

In need of subs to fill in when volunteers can not come in for their regular shift – 10:30am-1:30pm

 

Click   below to get connected to this volunteer opportunity. This will send notification of your interest in learning more and provides your contact information for this agency’s volunteer coordinator.

 

16] Board Member(s) Needed – Bellingham Metal Arts Guild (BMAG)

We have Three (3) openings on the Board of Directors coming up this May.

Our Board of Directors is composed of seven members. The membership votes at the Annual Meeting in May (this year it is Saturday May 5th) to fill the open positions.  But this year changes in the Bylaws will be voted on first.  If approved as anticipated, one of the results will be the board term shortened to two years. This is to change the commitment from 3 years to 2 years per term.

After the Annual meeting those newly elected and ongoing Board Members meet and decide themselves who will comprise the 2018 Executive Board (the 4 officers), with the remaining 3 being Board Members at Large.

Anyone interested in becoming a Board Member will be put in contact with the current board members for further details.  But we need to hear from you SOON. Click Here for more details and/or to let us know you are interested.

 

17] Grocery Rescue- Truck ride along – The Salvation Army

Rescue groceries from several stores in Bellingham. Ride along with our truck driver and do the behind the scenes work that keeps our food bank stocked. This volunteer position starts at 8:30 a.m. and typically ends at 12:30.

 

18] Baker Emergency Resource Team 1st Annual Dinner Auction (Help needed) – Baker Emergency Resource Team

The Event will be at the East Whatcom Reginal Resource Center.

 

WHO WE ARE

We are ALL volunteers.  We work with/support first responders like the Kendall Fire Hall.

We meet monthly to discuss:

  • Emergency preparedness, disaster mitigation and response

​

  • Developing risk awareness and community outreach programs

​

  • Developing response and recovery resources, including CERT training

​

  • Developing partnerships and linkages with local & regional agencies and organizations

 

We need people to help set up 1 hour before the event and clean up/tear down up to one hour after the event.  We also need a few volunteers to serve.  It would be ideal to have a food handlers permit for those to serve food, but not required as we have another person who does.

 

We will feed you.

It will be 2 hours set up & clean up.

2 hours for servers.

 

19] Ferndale Community needs you! – Ferndale Community Service Coop

The Ferndale Resource Center is looking for 4 individuals to assist us with expanding our hours.  Currently we are only able to open 3 hrs per day, 4 days per week. We’d like t be open 6 hours per day and 1 Sat. per month.  We provide an inviting place to do good work.

 

We will provide training for you to provide referral information to low income families including Health, Nutrition, Child Care, and Housing.

Love fashion?  We have a clothing bank for men, women, children and infants.

Computer skills?  We need help responding to emails, tracking data, redesigning our website (word press)

Social media guru?  Help us update our Facebook page, get us set up on Nextdoor,

We would love to have your join our team!

 

20] Special Event Coordinator Intern – LAW Advocates

LAW Advocates’ Mission: Provide free civil legal assistance to low income Whatcom County residents.

LAW Advocates’ Special Event Coordinator Intern will work with Office Manager, Executive Director, and other  to plan and implement our annual fundraising dinner and auction (known as “Lawyers Take Orders” or “LTO”) on a Friday evening in October 2018. Exact date TBA. This event consists of a silent and live auction.

Responsible to: Office Manager, Executive Director

Duties:

  • Assist the Executive Director and Office Manager to coordinate meetings and prepare agendas for planning committee meetings
  • Attend and keep minutes of planning committee meetings (usually held Monday afternoons during the lunch hour at a downtown location); we can be flexible if this exact day and time does not work for you
  • Create and maintain event timelines
  • Assist with all event logistics
  • Assist in the preparation and distribution of a variety of materials including invitations, publicity, auction catalogue, appreciation slideshow, etc.
  • Assist with the preparation of a video, including coordinating with video subjects
  • Assist the planning committee to obtain sponsorships and donated items for the auction
  • Supervise Silent Auction logistics, including maintaining accurate item and package descriptions and preparing silent auction bid sheets
  • Assist Office Manager to maintain and update event database before and after event
  • Work with a strong team of staff and volunteers to set up the event space, decorate, supervise the Silent Auction, clean up and debrief the event
  • Assist the Office Manager and Executive Director with post-event recognition
  • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

  • Interest in serving the mission of LAW Advocates
  • Interest in large event planning
  • Strong computer skills and the ability to quickly master our event database software Greater Giving. Graphic and/or web design skills preferred. Social media skills strongly preferred
  • Strong writing, editing, and communication skills
  • Ability to work independently, problem solve, and prioritize and identify tasks
  • Organized and detail-oriented
  • Ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds and maintain a positive working relationship with staff, volunteers, clients, and board members
  • Appreciation for the sensitive nature of the confidential information LAW Advocates maintains, including an ability to perform duties in a professional manner and keep all information confidential, including the identity of our clients

Benefits:

  • Transform creative, organizational, and management skills into concrete experience
  • Develop professional contacts within the legal community
  • Enjoy being part of a high-energy, hard-working, and fun team
  • Gain experience in event planning
  • Opportunity to help LAW Advocates provide essential legal aid to low-income people in our community
  • Obtain college credit if offered by your school

Non-Discrimination Policy: No person shall be subjected to discrimination in this organization because of race, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, gender, age, ethnicity, income, veteran status, marital status or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. LAW Advocates will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities.

Hours:  10-15 hours per week; flexible schedule will vary with events timeline, 15 hours per week likely closer to the event

Commitment: Through November 2018, including summer 2018

Preferred Start Date: Summer Quarter 2018 (though we are happy to welcome you on board sooner if that works for your schedule).

To Apply: Please send updated resume (including current employment, volunteer, and educational experience) and a cover letter addressing why you are a good fit for this position to Bernadette Zuzarte, Office Manager at bernadette@lawadvocates.org