Community Outreach Volunteer

This volunteer role supports Maybelle Center’s outreach efforts by meeting prospective members where they are—within their own residential communities. Community Outreach volunteers assist with lobby tabling events in local residential buildings, sharing information about Maybelle Center’s history, mission, programs, and services, and our work to cultivate belonging for all.

Through welcoming and approachable conversations, this role helps reduce barriers to connection and creates pathways for individuals to learn about membership, ask questions, and take next steps toward involvement with Maybelle Center.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Meet Maybelle staff on-site at designated residential buildings for scheduled outreach events.
• Assist with setting up and organizing outreach materials and informational resources.
• Engage residents in friendly, respectful conversations about Maybelle Center’s mission, history, programs, and services.
• Share information about becoming a Maybelle member using provided materials and talking points.
• Assist with collecting participant information via sign-up sheets.
• Answer basic questions and refer more complex inquiries to Maybelle staff as needed.
• Support staff in scheduling follow-up appointments with interested residents.
• Help maintain a welcoming, inclusive presence throughout each outreach event.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Basic communication and interpersonal skills.
• Comfort initiating conversations with a diverse range of community members.
• Ability to clearly share provided information about Maybelle Center and membership.
• Reliability and punctuality for scheduled outreach events.
• Basic knowledge of Maybelle Center’s history and membership criteria (orientation provided).
• Ability to be welcoming and engaging in public settings, with a willingness to inform community members about local opportunities for connection.
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff in a community-based setting.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to stand for periods of time and/or transition between sitting and standing during lobby tabling events.
• Ability to lift and carry light outreach materials.
• Ability to communicate verbally and visually with residents in a public setting.

ORIENTATION AND TRAINING

• Volunteers will receive an orientation to Maybelle Center prior to their first outreach shift.
• Role-specific training will include an overview of Maybelle Center’s mission, history, programs, membership criteria, and community outreach practices.
• Ongoing support and supervision will be provided by the Outreach Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, and Neighborhood Programs staff.
• Orientation and training materials are currently available in English only.

TIME COMMITMENT

Community outreach events take place monthly at residential buildings in the Old Town/Downtown Portland area. Shifts are typically scheduled in late mornings or early afternoons and run about 2–3 hours, depending on building availability and coordination by the Outreach Coordinator.

Once dates are confirmed, the Outreach Coordinator and/or Volunteer Coordinator will reach out 1–2 weeks in advance to invite participation based on your availability. We aim to build a small Community Outreach team (about 3–4 volunteers) who have flexible schedules and are interested in longer-term, community-facing engagement.

While volunteers are not expected to attend every outreach event, we encourage participation when possible and also welcome involvement in occasional special outreach opportunities as they arise.

ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT

Outreach takes place at community events and in residential building lobbies—active, public spaces where we meet community members where they are. Volunteers work alongside Maybelle staff and receive support before, during, and after each outreach event as needed.