Interested in Volunteering? We need your help!
Our work relies on the skills and support of volunteers. The AHC has both ongoing volunteer opportunities and special projects, so check this page regularly for news and updates and subscribe to our e-news to receive volunteer opportunity alerts. We are currently recruiting for the volunteer opportunities listed below. Click the position title to be redirected to position descriptions.
Please email Sarah Sladek at sarahs@visitahc.org if you’re interested in any of these volunteer opportunities.
For the Programs and Education Committee, please answer these questions when emailing us:
- Why are you interested in serving on this committee? Also, tell us what you like about AHC programs or what you think could be improved upon.
- Tell us about your experience in public programming in cultural/heritage institutions, architecture/preservation centers, museums, or other similar institutions.
Visitor Services Representative
As a front desk volunteer, you’ll get to interact with the public and share your knowledge of our exhibits, as well as Portland as a whole. Front desk volunteers are often the first interaction that a member of the public has with us—all it takes is an appreciation for our mission and a desire to interact with our community!
The AHC gallery is open Thursday through Saturday 11:00am to 5:00pm. There are two volunteer shifts:
>Mornings from 10:45am-2pm &
>Afternoons from 1:45pm-5:15pm
*There is an immediate need for Visitor Services support on Thursdays (Morning & Afternoon, Fridays (Afternoons), and Saturdays (Morning & Afternoon)
As a Front Desk Volunteer, you will:
- Greet visitors to the museum and AHC, track visitation, and provide information about the AHC’s current and upcoming exhibits and other programs
- Share information about the AHC’s historic West Block building (1883) and answer questions about the AHC’s neighborhood, the Central Eastside Industrial District
- Open and close the galleries (dependent on shift)
- Be aware of security and emergency procedures
- Answer multi-line telephone, transfer calls to staff, take messages, and respond to inquiries about AHC accurately and politely. Answer routine email inquiries.
- Take program registrations, sell memberships and merchandise, record daily transactions, and close out the register
- Assist with programs, outreach, fundraising, and administrative tasks that match your skills and interests
We’re looking for folks who have:
- Basic computer skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office programs, especially Word, Outlook email, and Internet search skills
- Ability to learn the basics of our contact database
- Ability to handle credit and cash transactions
- Comfort interacting with public visitors, staff, and other volunteers; a professional manner and appearance
- Dependability and consistency working scheduled shifts
- Comfortable working independently, and good judgment in knowing when to ask for help
- And of course, an interest in architecture/design, art, culture, history or historic preservation!
If this sounds good to you, please reach out our Volunteer Coordinator Sarah Sladek at sarahs@visitahc.org or call us during our open hours at 503-231-7264!
All Visitor Services Volunteers will be set up with onboarding training as well as ongoing support from AHC staff. We look forward to working with you!
Walking Tour Docent
Lead a walking tour! This is a great opportunity if you have an interest in exploring the history and architecture of Portland neighborhoods and sharing that knowledge with others. Training sessions are provided.
Advocacy Committee
The Advocacy Committee supports a unique sense of place in Portland while recognizing the diversity of the city’s built fabric and cultural heritage. The Advocacy Committee takes public positions on vital matters in preservation that support the past, present, and future of Portland and its communities. Committee members attend monthly meetings, research current issues in preservation, raise community awareness of issues, assist with outreach to local leaders, deliver written or oral testimony on policies, and serve as AHC representatives on issue-based external committees convened by local, county, and state bodies. You do not have to be an expert in preservation or advocacy to participate in this volunteer committee; a passion for Portland and a willingness to learn is most important.
Programs and Education Committee
The AHC Programs and Education Committee helps grow and strengthen the impact, relevance, audience reach, and diversification of AHC programs, including exhibits, publications, tours, and other projects, and provides a supportive relationship to the AHC staff’s work to deliver high-quality programs. The committee reviews program directions and initiatives to help us meet our strategic initiatives and fulfill our inclusion/diversity/equity/accessibility (IDEA) goals so that our programs serve different audience groups, are inclusive, and grow our outreach. Volunteers should be able to commit for a 2-year period and attend 4-6 meetings per year.
We invite participation from those who have experience in public programming in cultural or heritage institutions, architecture/preservation centers, museums, or other related institutions. As we seek a diverse committee, we encourage applications from persons of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ and other underrepresented communities.
The Programs and Education Committee is a reframing of the AHC’s long-standing Education Committee to reflect current organizational priorities, goals, and needs. Programs and education are instrumental to our work, and many dedicated volunteers have been an important part of this work.
We are not currently recruiting volunteers for the AHC Programs and Education Committee, but if you’re interested in joining this committee, we’d love to hear from you.
Other opportunities:
- Fundraising and marketing assistance, including membership and online auction development
- Special events planning and management
- Community-sourced/volunteer-driven programs, such as like music event, pop-up exhibits, and more
- Graphic design and photography
- Office and administrative assistance
To learn more about current issues, visit our blog.