Volunteer With Gather:Make:Shelter!
Volunteer With Gather:Make:Shelter!
Volunteers are the heart of our organization,
playing an essential role in fulfilling our mission to connect people through the arts. Your time, energy, and dedication help create the supportive, empowering environment that allows our participants to thrive. Whether you're assisting in workshops, helping with events, or engaging with participants, your contributions are invaluable in fostering a sense of community and creative expression.
Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of individuals experiencing houselessness and poverty, and we are grateful to have you as part of our team.
VOLUNTEER ROLES
HOW TO VOLUNTEER WITH GMS
Gallery Assistant
The Gallery Assistant plays an essential role in supporting Gather:Make:Shelter during art opening receptions or during open gallery hours. The volunteer will assist with setting up the gallery, welcoming guests, promoting the organization’s mission, handling art sales, and ensuring the gallery runs smoothly.
Mural Painting Volunteer
Mural Painting volunteers assist with painting large-scale murals at alternative shelters and villages for people experiencing houselessness. This role involves hands-on art creation, collaborating with fellow volunteers, shelter residents, and mural leads to complete and execute the mural design.
Lunch Provider
The Workshop Lunch Provider Volunteer will be responsible for preparing or purchasing lunches for Gather:Make: Shelter art workshops.
Event Support
Event Support volunteers will assist in the successful execution of Gather:Make:Shelter's help with one-off events such as art markets, street fairs, and fundraising events. Volunteers will help with event setup, art sales, cleanup, and general event support, ensuring the event runs smoothly.
Fundraising Planner
The Annual Fundraiser Planning Team plays a key role in supporting the planning and execution of Gather:Make:Shelter's annual summer fundraiser. From February through May, these volunteers assist with various tasks in support of the fundraiser, including donation procurement, event logistics, and fundraising strategy.
Flier Distributor
The Flier Distributor will play a key role in promoting GMS events, workshops, and community offerings by distributing fliers and other promotional materials to partner organizations, villages, and shelters throughout the Portland area.
Sock Ambassador
Sock Ambassadors will be responsible for distributing socks to unsheltered neighbors in Portland. Using their own transportation or walking, volunteers will engage in compassionate outreach, providing the warmth of fresh socks while building connections with individuals experiencing houselessness.
VOLUNTEER TRAINING
Volunteer training will be provided by GMS staff. All volunteer training includes an initial volunteer orientation, which includes an overview of this handbook. Each individual volunteer role may have subsequent training in accordance with the role’s responsibilities and requirements.
NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY
We recognize that the strength of our organization is in our community. We believe all volunteers have the right to work in surroundings free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment. It is our policy to provide equal opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, religion, gender, age, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran’s status or any other protected status in accordance with local, state and federal law.
1) Fill out the Gather:Make:Shelter volunteer application here.
2) Meet with GMS staff for a brief interview.
3) Coordinate with the Operations Manager to attend a volunteer orientation session.
4) After your approval and orientation, you’ll receive an invitation to our volunteer portal on signupgenius.com to begin signing up for volunteer shifts.
Note: volunteers must fill out the volunteer application and sign the required volunteer handbook agreements before signing up for volunteer shifts.
GMS Community Values
Gather:Make:Shelter is, above all, a community. The following values reflect the principles that guide our collective work and interactions, ensuring that our space remains welcoming, supportive, and respectful for everyone involved. We expect volunteers to agree to and abide by the following community values.
Respect
Treat all participants with dignity and respect, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Inclusivity
Foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and valued, regardless of their artistic skill level or experience.
Safety
Prioritize the physical and emotional safety of all workshop participants, ensuring that the space remains free from harm or harassment.
Confidentiality
Respect the privacy and confidentiality of participants' personal stories and artistic expressions shared during the workshop.
Empowerment
Encourage participants to explore their creativity and express themselves freely, fostering a sense of empowerment and self-confidence.
Collaboration
Promote collaboration and mutual support among participants, encouraging them to learn from and inspire one another.
Non-Judgment
Create a non-judgmental atmosphere where mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth and learning.
Environmental Responsibility
Encourage environmentally sustainable practices, such as using recycled materials and minimizing waste, to promote environmental responsibility.
Cultural Sensitivity
Acknowledge and respect the diverse cultural backgrounds and perspectives of workshop participants, ensuring that activities are culturally sensitive and inclusive.
Consent
Obtain consent from participants before sharing their artwork or stories outside of the workshop setting.
Refrain from Trauma-Sharing
Refrain from inserting your personal trauma, and be cognizant that while participants may wish to share their trauma with you, loud or prolonged conversations about an individual participant’s trauma may make other participants uncomfortable or distressed. It may be most appropriate to talk with a participant outside or in another room if they are in a state of distress.
Accessibility
Ensure that workshop spaces and materials are accessible to individuals with disabilities, accommodating their needs to the best of your ability.
Feedback
Welcome constructive feedback from participants, using it to continuously improve the workshop experience and better meet their needs.