Volunteer Programs

From five minutes to five hours you've got a host of options to make real change for those awaiting a lifesaving gift of life. Here's a quick list:

Public Outreach

Donor Designation Stations - It's the ACTION That Counts!
Volunteers attend hundreds of community events and health fairs annually on behalf of Donate Life Northwest offering people the opportunity to sign up on the Donor Registry on a mobile laptop computer or pencil & paper form. Responsibilities include monitoring and safe keeping a laptop computer if available, securing paper & pencil registry forms if used, displaying a Threads of Life Quilt, answering questions about organ, eye, and tissue donation, and distributing informational materials. If online registration is unavailable, the volunteer is responsible to upload registry information when online access is available and to promptly mail all paper & pencil forms to the Donate Life Northwest office.

Donate Life Northwest Speaks Out!

Donate Life Northwest Speakers Bureau volunteers give hundreds of presentations to civic, business and school groups each year. Volunteers represent Donate Life Northwest in educating about the need for and importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation by sharing their personal stories, disseminating information, and motivating individuals designate themselves as donors on the Donor Registry. To become a speaker or to schedule a speaker for your civic organization, business, place of worship or school, please contact Donate Life Northwest at 503.494.7888, toll free at 1.800.452.1369.

Student Outreach - Educating for a Lifetime of Donation
By presenting the facts, Donate Life Northwest volunteers help students understand the need for and importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation as well as regular blood donation. Volunteers visit school classrooms and assemblies throughout Oregon and SW Washington to encourage students to designate themselves as donors on the Donor Registry, tell their family of their decision, and to give blood in their local blood drive.

Student Champions - Powerful Positive Peer Education
Students may fulfill their Senior Project, community service, or club requirements through Donate Life Northwest. From individual classroom to entire school outreach, students work with Donate Life Northwest staff and use their own creativity to educate their peers about donation and transplantation and how to designate themselves as donors. Examples include all-school registry and blood drives, school newspaper articles, assemblies, contests, and art projects.

Medical Professionals - The Voice of Experience
Throughout the school year, Donate Life Northwest educates young adults about organ, eye, and tissue donation and seeks to motivate them to designate themselves as donors on the Donor Registry during "Discover OHSU" tours. Volunteer professionals from the medical community are sought to share their expertise on the subject with the help of an interactive presentation designed by Donate Life Northwest.

Community Champions "Take 5, Save Lives" - A Win-Win Outreach
Donate Life Northwest reaches thousands of people each year about by enlisting businesses to participate in the “Take 5, Save Lives” program. Using this national model, businesses educate their employees and/or customers about the critical need for organ, eye, and tissue donation and offer them opportunities during their work time to sign up on the online Donor Registry. Many businesses also place a link/banner to Donate Life Northwest on their website. Volunteers identify, contact and acquire approval from businesses of friends and family to join Community Champions. There is no cost to the business, and a free listing on the Donate Life Northwest website is our way of saying, "thank you!" Contact Donate Life Northwest at 503.494.7888 or 800.452.1369 to have a Community Champions introductory packet mailed to a business.

Fund Raising

Golf Tournament Committee - Four!
The annual golf tournament is one of Donate Life Northwest's largest fundraising events, providing crucial funding for lifesaving programs. Committee members solicit prizes, sell raffle tickets and help determine the direction and growth of the event. This year's double flight tournament is scheduled for August 12, 2008 at Reserve Vineyards & Golf Course.

Individual Solicitation
More than 85 percent of all charitable gifts come from individuals. Donate Life Northwest needs volunteers to help expand our individual giving program, to introduce us to new people, and to become ambassadors for our mission.

Lifesavers Benefit Breakfast - Be a Table Captain
Donate Life Northwest needs people to serve as table captains, inviting their friends, family and colleagues to join them for this popular annual event. The breakfast is free but guests are invited to make a financial gift to Donate Life Northwest during the emotional and compelling program. This year's breakfast will take place October, 2008, Portland Ballroom at the Oregon Convention Center.

Corporate Partnership
Donate Life Northwest offers excellent opportunities for businesses to earn recognition while financially supporting this lifesaving organization. Volunteers are needed to help identify potential partners and assist in solicitation efforts.

Board of Directors Fundraising
Assistance is needed with the annual golf tournament, individual and corporate solicitation and direct mail campaigns in order to fund agency outreach and education programs.

Specialized Opportunities

Office Assistance (Portland) - Many Hands Make Light Work
Donate Life Northwest answers hundreds of requests for information, presentations, and registry brochures each month. Office-related volunteer opportunities include computer research and projects and packaging collateral materials for presentations and mailings at our office located in downtown Portland.

Boy Scouts Answer the Call to Services
Hundreds of Boy Scouts in Oregon and Southwest Washington distribute organ, eye, and tissue registry information cards in their communities and become eligible to earn the Boy Scouts of America Donor Awareness Patch. To request registry brochures, please contact Donate Life Northwest at 1.800.452.1369.

"Gift of Life" Rose
Memorialize or honor your loved one with a Gift of Life Rose, a beautiful hybrid tea rose. Proceeds benefit Donate Life Northwest's efforts. To order a rose or for more information call Edmund's Roses at 1.888.481.7673. Visit www.edmundsroses.com

Leadership

Donate Life Northwest welcomes individuals to utilize their leadership skills by serving on a committee, many of which have a limited duration. Donate Life Northwest also welcomes candidates for service on our board of directors. The board is legally and ethically responsible for all activities of the program, including setting policy, annual budget and determining goals. Board terms are three years. Application is by invitation.

To become a volunteer, click here.