Volunteer at Dress for Success Oregon!Dress for Success Oregon works because of the dedication and commitment of our volunteers. With a staff of only 8 people, we depend on our 200+ volunteers who are the core essence of what we do and how we support our community. To get involved take a look at our volunteer needs below. If you have a unique volunteer idea, we're all ears!
Here are just some of the Volunteer Opportunities at Dress for Success Oregon: Personal Shopper Clothing Organizer Hair Stylist Make-Up Artist Database Specialist Fundraiser / Friendraiser Events and Committees Speaker's Bureau Career Center Specialist PWG Volunteer Details below Ready to become part of Dress for Success? Please contact our Volunteer Manager Bethany Rocci at bethanyr@dressforsuccessoregon.org | December Volunteer Spotlight
LAURA SCHLAFLY Career Center Specialist Volunteer since January 2010 I started as a Career Center Specialist with Dress for Success Oregon in January 2010, and had some prior experience as a Personal Shopper as I investigated where to best apply my talents. What does Dress for Success Oregon mean to you? Dress for Success Oregon has not only allowed me to help Career Center clients with the job search building blocks of resumes, mock interviews, cover letters, networking, social media and search techniques; it has also given me a wealth of hands-on experience in developing my skills as a career coach. It’s a two-way street and an opportunity to see the smiles on the clients’ faces when we work together to reveal how talented they truly are. What's your favorite part about volunteering? My favorite part of volunteering is when I complete a session with a client and see that I have made a difference coaxing out the client’s passion around her gifts and callings. Usually her true gifts have not been given the opportunity or environment to emerge. When I work with these clients it’s the hunting for and finding a “buried treasure” that really energizes and excites me! When I’m not doing my part to save the world I love to… work on the development of my private coaching practice focused on baby boomers. My “playful side” seeks out dancing, playing piano, golf, concerts, and enjoying dinner with friends. There is also my background and interest in Asian cultures which calls me to visit our local Japanese and Chinese Gardens, Asian restaurants and specific cultural events. My undergraduate major was Japanese Studies, and I’ve traveled to China four times in the last eight years since moving to Portland. What a life! |
Volunteer Descriptions
In-Store Positions
Personal Shopper:
Help women who are coming from disadvantaged circumstances and have an upcoming job interview. During your one hour appointment, you will help your client select interview-appropriate clothing from our store. You have the opportunity to help increase a client’s self esteem and give her the confidence she needs for her interview.
Clothing Organizer:
We receive many clothing donations from the community. Every day items are sorted and evaluated in terms of which items are appropriate for the workplace. Donations are also spot cleaned, mended, steamed, tagged, and prepared for display in the store. Occasionally, we need volunteers to pick up clothing from a donation site.
Hair Stylist:
After a client’s first appointment, she is eligible to have her hair cut and styled in our salon. Hair Stylists must be licensed professionals who provide interview-appropriate hair cuts.
Make-up Artist:
After a client’s first appointment, she is eligible to have her make up done in our salon. Make-up Artists are professionals who provide a conservative and work appropriate look through make-up consultation and application.
Database Specialist:
Our database is where we capture donor and client information as well as community relationships. The Database Specialist needs to be experienced with database entry work and detail-oriented.
Off-Site Positions
Fundraiser & Friendraiser:
Dress for Success Oregon receives no government funding and works towards raising funds every year.
You can help in a variety of ways. Examples:
Have other ideas? Let us know!
Events:
Dress for Success Oregon hosts major events throughout the year. We have opportunities for volunteers to serve on a variety of event committees under the leadership of the Development Department. Volunteers can also help the day of the event(s).
Speakers’ Bureau:
This position is an opportunity for our experienced volunteers to represent us in the community. Speakers are needed at formal events to do presentations for corporations and businesses, and at informal events, such as hosting a table at a community fair. The purpose of this position is to raise awareness about Dress for Success Oregon and the work that we do.
Program Positions
Career Center Specialist:
A Career Center Specialist works one on one with clients who are seeking employment by developing interview skills, working on resumes or helping in the job search. If you have a background in human resources, this position may be a great fit for you.
Professional Women’s Group (PWG): When a client receives her job, we encourage her to join our Professional Women's Group (PWG). This is a network of women who gather monthly to support each other and listen to a guest speaker who makes a presentation about the professional and personal challenges they face. PWG Volunteers are needed to help with room set up, client check in, serving food, and room take down. Volunteers are also needed to provide or pick up a light meal for the meeting.
Personal Shopper:
Help women who are coming from disadvantaged circumstances and have an upcoming job interview. During your one hour appointment, you will help your client select interview-appropriate clothing from our store. You have the opportunity to help increase a client’s self esteem and give her the confidence she needs for her interview.
Clothing Organizer:
We receive many clothing donations from the community. Every day items are sorted and evaluated in terms of which items are appropriate for the workplace. Donations are also spot cleaned, mended, steamed, tagged, and prepared for display in the store. Occasionally, we need volunteers to pick up clothing from a donation site.
Hair Stylist:
After a client’s first appointment, she is eligible to have her hair cut and styled in our salon. Hair Stylists must be licensed professionals who provide interview-appropriate hair cuts.
Make-up Artist:
After a client’s first appointment, she is eligible to have her make up done in our salon. Make-up Artists are professionals who provide a conservative and work appropriate look through make-up consultation and application.
Database Specialist:
Our database is where we capture donor and client information as well as community relationships. The Database Specialist needs to be experienced with database entry work and detail-oriented.
Off-Site Positions
Fundraiser & Friendraiser:
Dress for Success Oregon receives no government funding and works towards raising funds every year.
You can help in a variety of ways. Examples:
- Host a party for friends and do a suit drive. We can come and do a presentation about how to support our cause.
- Help us identify and approach individuals and corporations who have resources and interest in our work.
- Help us procure items we need for clients and our Auction.
Have other ideas? Let us know!
Events:
Dress for Success Oregon hosts major events throughout the year. We have opportunities for volunteers to serve on a variety of event committees under the leadership of the Development Department. Volunteers can also help the day of the event(s).
Speakers’ Bureau:
This position is an opportunity for our experienced volunteers to represent us in the community. Speakers are needed at formal events to do presentations for corporations and businesses, and at informal events, such as hosting a table at a community fair. The purpose of this position is to raise awareness about Dress for Success Oregon and the work that we do.
Program Positions
Career Center Specialist:
A Career Center Specialist works one on one with clients who are seeking employment by developing interview skills, working on resumes or helping in the job search. If you have a background in human resources, this position may be a great fit for you.
Professional Women’s Group (PWG): When a client receives her job, we encourage her to join our Professional Women's Group (PWG). This is a network of women who gather monthly to support each other and listen to a guest speaker who makes a presentation about the professional and personal challenges they face. PWG Volunteers are needed to help with room set up, client check in, serving food, and room take down. Volunteers are also needed to provide or pick up a light meal for the meeting.
Volunteer Requirements
Age Requirement:
Volunteers must be 21 or older. Volunteers who are 18-20 years old may volunteer at Dress for Success Oregon but may not work directly with clients. Certain age exceptions may be made by the Volunteer Manager.
Volunteers who are Personal Shoppers must be women.
Dress Requirement:
For volunteers who work directly with clients, we ask that you wear business casual, work appropriate clothing. For positions that do not work directly with clients, business casual clothing is not required, but strongly encouraged. Jeans, shorts, skimpy tank tops, excessively short dresses or skirts, and excessive make-up are not permitted. We have to keep in mind how our clothing “speaks” to those around us.
Time Commitment:
For all positions, we ask that volunteers commit to a minimum of 3 hours per month.
Volunteers must be 21 or older. Volunteers who are 18-20 years old may volunteer at Dress for Success Oregon but may not work directly with clients. Certain age exceptions may be made by the Volunteer Manager.
Volunteers who are Personal Shoppers must be women.
Dress Requirement:
For volunteers who work directly with clients, we ask that you wear business casual, work appropriate clothing. For positions that do not work directly with clients, business casual clothing is not required, but strongly encouraged. Jeans, shorts, skimpy tank tops, excessively short dresses or skirts, and excessive make-up are not permitted. We have to keep in mind how our clothing “speaks” to those around us.
Time Commitment:
For all positions, we ask that volunteers commit to a minimum of 3 hours per month.
