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Community Volunteer Opportunities

Numerous organizations exist in East Jefferson County that thrive because local people commit their talents and time to these causes. This is one of the primary reasons Port Townsend and the surrounding area are so rich with cultural, environmental, recreational, social and family programs and events. The opportunities for you to find something to devote energy toward are endless. We encourage you to contact one of these groups and volunteer!

If you are a community group that is looking for volunteers, please let us know and we will add your group and description to this list. Contact Jon at webmaster@ptguide.com.
Volunteer Opportunities

Big Brothers Big Sisters/Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
Your experience, wisdom and talents are needed and would be valued by a newly formed partnership between Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound (BBBS) and The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of OlyCAP. The purpose of this innovative project is to engage volunteers who are aged 55+ in leadership positions in order to grow long term sustainability and increase capacity in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Jefferson County mentoring program. Three stipend volunteers, in collaboration with a Partnership Council, will increase local resources to support youth mentoring in Jefferson County. If you are in the Giving Years stage of life and would like to connect your skills with a higher purpose, one of these positions may be for you.

  • Project Coordinator: Design and lead a partnership council; develop BBBS partnership Strategic Action Plan; increase business, institutional, and service organization partnerships; serve as project liaison with BBBS, RSVP and OlyCAP. Experience with strategic planning helpful.
  • Development Coordinator: Lead the design of a BBBS Jefferson County Development Action Plan, recruit local fund raising committee, direct and implement a local fundraising event, engage diverse stakeholder input, procure items for BBBS Auction in Seattle. Experience in nonprofit development helpful.
  • Marketing Coordinator: Learn and communicate Jefferson County BBBS issues and profile, advise Jefferson County Branch Manager and staff on marketing issues, create customized recruitment materials, write articles for local newspapers. Experience in marketing helpful.
  • Member, Partnership Council: Work with a group of 7 to 9 people to implement the three Action Plans (Strategic, Development and Marketing). Likely activities include problem solving, brainstorming, networking, and fundraising. The mission of BBBS is to partner with actively involved community members to match caring adults with children, both of whom benefit from the one-to-one mentoring programs. The local office opened in 2005, and has developed into one of the fastest growing non-profits in Jefferson County. The organization currently supports over 184 children paired with a caring adult each year.

Full position descriptions are available at www.bbbs.org/pugetsound. Click on "Jefferson County Volunteer Opportunities" on the right side of home page. For more information or if interested in any of these positions, please contact Liesl Slabaugh, Jefferson County Branch Manager for Big Brothers Big Sisters at: liesl.slabaugh@bbbs.org , (360) 732-4090 x 276 or (360) 531-1166.

Volunteers are also needed to become mentors to Jefferson County Youth. By sharing simple everyday activities, mentors have tremendous impact on the life of a child. Be a part of something big. Become a Big Brother or Big Sister today!

Northwest Passage Thrift Shop
Friendly people wanted! Volunteer at OlyCAP's Northwest Passage Thrift Shop as a cashier, merchandiser-sorter, or to list items for sale on Ebay. You'll work in a fun environment and have the chance to meet new people every day. Flexible hours are available Monday through Saturday from 10 to 5. Proceeds from the thrift shop support Olympic Community Action Programs services, which help people become self-sufficient.

For more information, call 360-379-3648 or email volunteers@olycap.org.

Working Image/OlyCAP
Working Image/OlyCAP is seeking Volunteers to assist with dressing women who are returning to the workforce. We provide career appropriate interview clothing of up to 2 outfits for interviews, and when women have obtained a job, we provide a week's worth of clothing including shoes, purses and accessories. Women who have 2 hours per week to assist women and get a great feeling of helping others are encouraged to contact me for a Volunteer application. Our Volunteers are a great group of women and it is a wonderful way to meet other outgoing and professional women. Volunteers can be any age, retired, working but have 2 hours a week to devote to our cause. It is a very rewarding, fun way to volunteer with just a limited amount of time involvement. More hours can be devoted if women have more than 2 hours a week available. This is an ongoing, weekly commitment, but we also have need for fill in dressers. Women are trained and work with another volunteer as a team. Serves low income women and there is no charge for our services.

For more information: Olympic Community Action Programs, 803 W Park Ave Port Townsend, WA 98368, info@olycap.org, 360-385-2571.

Jefferson Search and Rescue
Volunteer members are dedicated to search and rescue as well as public education services for the people of Jefferson County and the entire Olympic Peninsula. JSAR missions are directed by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office which has legal responsibility under Washington State law for all search and rescue activities in the county. We are always looking for new volunteer members to help in this very important service!

JSAR meets the 2nd Wed of each month for our business meeting and classroom training from 7:00 - 9:00 pm in the fire hall in Chimacum. We meet the Saturday following our Wed meeting for field training - location varies. Must be at least 18 years old. We can also accept 14 - 21 year olds in our ESAR program, same meeting time. Please visit our website www.jsar-wa.org or contact info@jsar-wa.org.

Jefferson County Tax-Aide
Tax-Aide is sponsored by the IRS and the AARP Foundation. We are an all-volunteer organization. Tax-Aide volunteers prepare Federal income tax returns, and e-file those returns, for low- and middle-income taxpayers of all ages...and all at no charge to the taxpayer. Being a Tax-Aide volunteer is not easy, but is very rewarding! If you enjoy tax preparation, have basic computer skills, and enjoy helping others, please consider becoming an AARP Tax-Aide volunteer.

To sign on as a Tax-Aide volunteer, or if you have questions about volunteering, contact the Jefferson County Local Coordinator: David Self at 360-385-2617 or dcself@olypen.com

Jumping Mouse Children's Center
Would you like to volunteer to help a dynamic and growing child therapy organization? Jumping Mouse Children's Center is looking for volunteers who would like to assist with the bulk mailing of our Newsletter three times a year for approximately 3-4 hours. We provide treats, have a great time, and would love to include you!

For more information: Call our Office Administrator, Jean Pugh, at 360-379-5109.

Port Townsend Main Street Program
Be part of a dynamic group of volunteers who are involved in the mission of improving business and promoting preservation in our uptown and downtown historic business districts. If you are looking for fun and worthwhile volunteer opportunities....we can use you!

For more information: Contact Mari Mullen, Executive Director at (360) 385-7911 or director@ptmainstreet.org for more information.

Port Townsend Visitor Information Center
Want to know more abut our great town? By helping visitors you can become an expert! Located at 2437 E. Sims Way, the VIC has a wealth of information and provides service to both travelers, local businesses and residents. This is a great opportunity to get involved!

For more information: Contact Susan Grantham/PTCC, Volunteer Coordinator at (360) 385-2722 or admin@ptchamber.org for more information.

Port Townsend's Farmers' Market
We need your help to keep Port Townsend's Farmers' Market running smoothly. Volunteers are needed to help with set up and take-down of the market and staffing our market booth to provide information and sell merchandise. We have a variety of shifts (usually no more than 1-1/2 hours at a time) on Saturdays and Wednesdays throughout the market season from May through November. Training, great company and lots of fun provided.

For more information: Contact Ruth Ballard, 379-9098, ruth@ptfarmersmarket.org.

Fort Worden Oral History Program
Located at the Fort Worden History Center, building 262 on the Fort Worden campus, collects oral histories from people who have served, lived, worked, or participated in activities at Fort Worden over its long history as a military installation, Juvenile Diagnostic and Treatment Center, and state park conference center. These oral histories are taped, documented and preserved in Fort Worden archives. The stories of those who have served in the military are also registered in the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, a national data base. We provide volunteer opportunities for schedulers, interviewers, catalogers, transcribers, and general office helpers.

For more information: Contact Patience Rogge at (360) 344-4481 or rogge@olympus.net for more information.

Aventuress
Sound Experience, an environmental education organization, providing programs for youth and adults aboard the historic schooner Adventuress, seeks volunteers to work as deckhands, cooks, maintenance workers and educators.

For more information: Applications are also available for live aboard Volunteer Internships during the March through October sailing season. Contact: Bob Porto, 379-0438.

Jefferson County Parks & Recreation
Jefferson County utilizes volunteers for everything from trail maintenance to soccer coaches to strategic planning to our advisory board. If you are interested in volunteering or have a special program in mind please contact us.

For more information: Interested persons can learn more about volunteer opportunities by calling (360) 385-9160 or emailing mtyler@countyrec.com.

Jefferson County Historical Society and Museum
Volunteer Opportunities Abound! Have fun learning about Jefferson County and Port Townsend history by serving as a museum docent, working with us on community events, joining one of our Education, Oral History, or Historic Properties Survey committees. We need people to help in our Research Library and to work with us on fund-raising to restore our landmark City Hall building.

For more information: Contact Marsha at (360) 385-1003 or marsha@jchsmuseum.org

4-H Jefferson Co. - Building youth leadership through hands-on learning and community service. 4-H activities include Technology (video, digital photography,web design, and robotics), Sports (archery, riflery, ultimate frisbee), as well as more traditional 4-H activities (gardening, sewing, horses, dogs, cats, cows, rabbits, etc.) All clubs are FREE! Everyone is welcome to join 4-H.

For more information: Pamela Roberts, Jefferson Co. 4-H Coordinator
WSU 201 W. Patison, Port Hadlock, WA 98339
(360) 379-5610 ex. 207; Email

Master Gardeners
The Jefferson County Master Gardener program trains a cadre of people in areas related to floral & vegetable gardens, fruit & decorative trees, landscaping & many other horticultural areas. Once trained these Master Gardeners become a community resource to assist other gardeners.

For more information email us at: jeff_mg@coopext.cahe.wsu.edu

Water Watchers
Water Watchers work within the organization and with other community organizations. We have a number of planning committees for field trips, fund-raising and special events as well as our monthly program committee. We have a committee for publicity, communications and our newsletter. We would like to utilize your talents in our education outreach program such as our Watershed Day or Rain Barrel project. Let us know what you would like to do!

For more information: Email us at OPWW@coopext.cahe.wsu.edu

Jefferson Healthcare
Jefferson Healthcare looks for responsible, dependable volunteers willing to commit to four hours per week, however there are other options, such as short-term projects.

For more information: (360) 385-2200, ext. 2013

Port Townsend Marine Science Center
Volunteers and docents provide invaluable support in operating the PTMSC. Their roles include: maintaining tanks, equipment and exhibits; assisting with and leading education programs; participating in monitoring programs and in general vitalizing community links. The PTMSC offers a variety of training and enrichment programs to prepare volunteers for their duties.

For more information: (360) 385-5582 or volunteer@ptmsc.org

Port Townsend Film Festival - Nearly three hundred amazing volunteers make up the heart of the Port Townsend Film Festival.
We have a large variety of positions available, each requiring differing types of skills and levels of commitment.

For more information: Contact information and volunteer form online.

All My Relations
We welcome enthusiastic, creative applicants who honor and respect all beings and who seek to further the goals of All My Relations in creating a sustainable and harmonious coexistence with all beings. This group of certified volunteers is an advisory forum that provide a source of wisdom, guidance, creative ideas, conflict resolution, and inspiration, connectedness, and unity.

For more information: (360) 385-5582 or info@allmyrelations.org

Northwest Maritime Center/Wooden Boat Foundation
Interested in helping to preserve the history and romance of wooden boats? The Northwest Maritime Center/Wooden Boat Foundation is seeking volunteer crew for miscellaneous projects or festival help during the Wooden Boat Festival (the weekend after Labor Day). Ongoing volunteer opportunities include lending a hand in the Boat Shop, helping out in the Chandlery store, Cupola house flower bed care or porch painting, window washing and miscellaneous office tasks.

For more information: Stop by the Cupola House at Point Hudson (behind the big flagpole) and fill out a Volunteer Application, or visit www.woodenboat.org/volunteers

North Olympic Salmon Coalition
Participate in organized restoration efforts throughout eastern Jefferson and northern Clallam County. The main restoration work has been directed to the reintroduction of summer chum to Chimacum and Salmon Creeks. This project is envisioned as a multi-generational effort to reestablish a lost species, and to generate a caring stewardship for the creek in our midst.

For more information: (360) 379-8051 or volunteer@nosc.org

Northwind Art Center
The Northwind Art Center is in need of volunteers to sit the gallery, help with gallery walk, coffee talks, and opening receptions, hanging shows, workshops, putting up posters and sundry other duties.

For more information: Please call Karen Putterman at 379-2620 to offer your services.

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