Volunteer Opportunities

NWEI volunteers are integral to our work.

Our organization wouldn't be what it is today without the motivation of hundreds of dedicated local and national volunteers, many who have worked with us from the beginning. Whether you are a long-time community organizer, a sustainability coordinator, a student, or someone who simply wants to learn more about sustainability, volunteering with NWEI will allow you to bring your own passions, personality, and experience with you as you inspire others to take responsibility for Earth.

National Opportunities:

• Regional Course Coordinator

• Course Organizer
• Mentor new groups
• Present to curious groups

Portland-Area Opportunities:

• Regional Course Coordinator

• Course Organizer
• Mentor new groups
• Present to curious groups
  
• Curriculum Development
• Office Projects
• Tabling

Course organizers are the heart and soul of NWEI

It's easy, fun, and incredibly rewarding. The discussion course process is built into every NWEI discussion course book. All you need to do is gather 8 - 12 colleagues, friends, family members, co-workers, classmates, or anyone else in your network or community to participate in a discussion course. The course organizer serves as the lead contact for the group. This means he or she will gather interest among their network, help the discussion group order books, set the dates and times for meetings, and schedule an inspirational final session to encourage participants to engage in living sustainable lifestyles. Learn more about getting started here.

The role of the course mentor is to attend a discussion group's first session and final celebration session. The mentor’s main objective is to demonstrate a successful group facilitation process, to inspire the group, and to set the stage for a fun and engaging experience.

Presenters make introductory presentations to groups that are interested in doing a NWEI discussion course.  Presenters provide background on NWEI, an overview of how our discussion courses work, and a summary of the course topic.

(Portland Only)

Members of this committee work with our Director of Curriculum to put together new discussion course books and revise versions of our older courses.  This role fluctuates with the publication schedule of discussion course books.  Curriculum Committee members assist in researching articles, attending weekly meetings, creating sessions and discussion questions throughout the process until the book is published. The average time commitment for this role is around four months.

(Portland Only)

We have a variety of on-going office projects available for different lengths of time.  They include: web research for contacts/organizations in specific communities, outreach projects, database entry, editing, proofing materials (like our newsletter), phone banking and helping with mailings.

(Portland Only)

Tablers attend events with our tabling display and materials and introduce NWEI, talk about the impact that NWEI courses have on people and invite them to sign up for more information on our courses.

For information on volunteering, please contact: