Volunteer Opportunities

For more information about our volunteer opportunities, contact 503.284.6827 or email volunteers @ CommunityEnergyProject.org

 

Are you looking for a great idea for a group project? Perhaps you’re part of a club, looking for team-building opportunities or a way for your company to become more active in your community. Perhaps you want to volunteer with your family or  friends, or come on your own.

Community Energy Project volunteers have been helping their community for nearly 30 years in a wide variety of ways. In a single afternoon a community weatherization team can weatherize the home of a senior citizen or person with a disability, or teach a group of new parents how to protect their family from lead poisoning, and more.

Opportunities Vary by Season


  • Fall/Winter (Sep-Feb): Busy season - opportunities include weatherization teams, leading workshops, answering phones, or assisting at community fairs.

  • Spring (Mar-May): Leading workshops, conducting follow-up surveys on the phone

  • Summer (Jun-Aug): Community events (tabling) and inventory

  • Year-Round: Office help and professional services

Volunteer Weatherization Program

In-Home Weatherization Program

If you would like to do "on the ground" work, take pride in doing a job right, and are familiar with basic tools, this is a great position. Using energy saving materials such as silicone-acrylic and rope caulk, interior vinyl storm windows, and door weatherstripping, individuals and teams of volunteers weatherize the homes of 230 seniors and people with disabilities every year. We provide training for all of our volunteers before heading out to the homes. Minimum age: 14. (typically 4-6 hours each time) Most weekdays, and Saturdays during the weatherization season (Sep-Feb).

Weatherization Team Leader

After 25 hours or more of experience weatherizing, a volunteer can lead weatherization teams. We often have events with multiple new volunteers who need support from an experienced individual. Help staff provide this support by becoming a Weatherization Team Leader.

Community Education Volunteer Opportunities

Workshop Leader

Develop your skills as a public speaker while delivering multi-sensory, hands-on workshops in the Portland area. Opportunities to lead Lead Poisoning Prevention Workshops are year round, Weatherization Workshops are September-March. Volunteer workshop leaders give presentations, facilitated by CEP staff. Workshop Leaders are required to attend the volunteer orientation, observe 3 workshops given by at least 2 different experienced instructors, and conduct 2 observed workshops before becoming a full workshop leader. Because of the increased responsibility and skill level required, volunteer workshop leaders receive a stipend of $25 per completed workshop to help offset cost of gas and a missed meal. Most workshops are conducted in the evenings and on weekends.

Workshop Follow-Up Phone Calling

After a client has attended a Weatherization Workshop or Lead Poisoning Prevention Workshop, we like to follow up with them. This gives folks a chance to provide feedback and helps us to improve our programs. In addition, our findings are used in our reports to our funders. Minimum age: 18. (2-4 hours each time)

Outreach

Tabling

Volunteers and staff representing CEP and distribute information about our programs at various community events throughout Portland and the surrounding area. A good way to meet other fantastic people in the non-profit community. (2-4 hours each time)

Warehouse / Inventory

Packing Kits

With three programs giving away a lot of materials, inventory is very important to us. Each of our workshops gives away a free kit of materials. It takes a lot of time and effort to pack kits for 540 Weatherization participants, 540 Lead Poisoning Prevention participants, and 800 Water Conservation participants. This can include some heavy lifting. (Opportunity varies)

Clerical / Office

In the busy season we have opportunities to answer phones, do data entry, and help clients process their paperwork.

Ways to Volunteer


  • As an individual. After an interview and orientation you can volunteer on your own time. (Minors must be accompanied by an adult, those under 14, a parent or guardian.)

  • In a group. Whether through your employer, high school, or church group - we can accommodate up to 15 people in a day during the winter.

  • Through an internship program. Established programs such as Federal Work Study and other service-learning/work experience programs partner with CEP to provide opportunities for placement.

How to Start

Begin by scheduling an appointment for a volunteer interview/meeting to discuss your interests and available opportunities. All volunteers participate in an orientation and receive relevant training. Oftentimes orientation and training can occur on the first day of service. Call the Volunteer Coordinator at 503.284.6827 x106 or email
volunteers @ CommunityEnergyProject.org