Info,Resources & FAQs

Who do I contact with questions or concerns?

Please feel free to contact the OPB Volunteer Programs staff. We are here to help!

• General: volunteer@opb.org

• Jenn Forristal, Volunteer Programs Manager: jforristal@opb.org 

• Joy Hawkins, Volunteer Coordinator: jhawkins@opb.org 

• OPB General Switchboard: 503-244-9900

• Ask your supervisor for the contact information for specific staff members you wish to contact

Court-ordered and academic service requirements 

Can I complete my court-ordered community service hours at OPB?

 No. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate court-mandated service.

Can I complete volunteer hours related to my academic program or to fulfill my graduation requirements?

No. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate volunteering associated with academic assignments, unpaid internships, or graduation requirements.

Types of available volunteer opportunities

What do volunteers do at OPB? 

Volunteers support OPB in a variety of ways including editing transcripts, moderating social media, lending administrative or research skills, serving as field porters, connecting with community members during membership drives and events, and much more! 

Please visit Available Volunteer Opportunities for an up-to-date list of ways to get involved. 

How are volunteers placed into roles? 

For some volunteer projects, there are opportunities for several volunteers to participate. For others, we may have more volunteers interested than spots available. When that is the case, we ask for additional information and may go through an interview process as we do our best to place volunteers in roles that match their skills, experience, and availability.

Can I host a program on OPB Radio, operate a camera for OPB TV, or report the news as a volunteer? 

Many people come to OPB hoping to volunteer doing hands-on technical work like hosting a program on OPB Radio, doing camera work or video editing, or reporting on current events. These sorts of opportunities are rarely, if ever, available to volunteers. If you're looking for that type of experience, you may want to check out OPB's paid internship program, or consider volunteering with one of the other community media organizations in the area. If you are interested in seeing a list of these organizations, please let us know. 

Can children under the age of 18 volunteer at OPB?

All volunteers must be at least 18 years of age to participate as an OPB volunteer.

Information Specific to Volunteering at OPB

Volunteer Service Accepted Based on OPB's Needs

OPB accepts the service of volunteers based on our needs at any given time. OPB may at any time, for any reason, decide to terminate a volunteer's relationship with OPB or to make changes in the nature of any volunteer assignment. Volunteers may also at any time, for any reason, choose to end their relationship with OPB and should notify Volunteer Programs staff promptly.

Perform Duties of Assigned Position

Volunteers at OPB have very specific and important roles in helping to carry out OPB's mission. Every volunteer opportunity has a position description outlining the responsibilities, skills needed and commitment. If you are unable to fulfill your commitment, please let Volunteer Programs staff know as soon as possible.

Maintaining high standards of honesty, integrity, impartiality, and conduct of employees is essential to OPB's reputation and mission. Avoiding conflicts of interest or the appearance of impropriety between personal interests of OPB employees and their OPB work is necessary for maintaining these high standards. In general, employees should comply with all common-sense standards that govern activities in the workplace.

Represent OPB to the Community

By becoming an OPB volunteer, you now represent OPB to the people who know you. Please help OPB continue to build relationships with our community by following the guidelines listed below. These guidelines are intended for when and if you are officially representing OPB to the public, but may be helpful in your day-to-day interactions when asked about OPB.

OPB is committed to providing accurate information to the public. If you do not know the answer to a question, talk to your supervisor about how best to respond, or give the person the number to the Member Center. Their job is to respond to questions from the public.

Before taking action or making a statement that may affect or obligate OPB (e.g. statements to the press, contractual agreements), talk to your supervisor or an appropriate employee for guidance.

OPB cannot endorse political candidates or participate in partisan political activity because we are a 501(c)(3) organization. Volunteers participating in activities such as these must make it clear that they do not represent OPB. Be careful that your actions do not imply OPB endorsement. Volunteers participating in lobbying activities or other efforts to influence legislation must do so as private citizens and not as representatives of OPB.

Attendance

Arrive on time for your shift or position and be available during the entire time specified. Call your supervisor immediately if you anticipate being late or absent.

Picture Release

Often, pictures are taken of volunteers to be used on opb.org or for other purposes. Part of OPB's Volunteer Agreement includes agreeing to allow OPB to use these pictures.

Report Volunteer Hours

Volunteer hours are reported to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and to other organizations to demonstrate community support and for recognition purposes. To ensure accurate recording of monthly volunteer hours, check in on the Volunteer Info Center (VIC) in the Portland offices. If  you are not volunteering in the Portland offices, please use the Schedule & Hours tab to record your hours, or email your hours  to volunteer@opb.org. Please submit hours before the last calendar day of the month in which you volunteered. 

Feedback and Recognition

Volunteers should expect and welcome honest feedback and recognition from OPB staff and supervisors. Additionally, feel free to provide feedback regarding your experience as an OPB volunteer. Volunteer Programs staff will check with you on a regular basis, especially when you begin a new volunteer position, to seek feedback and provide any additional support.

Insurance

Although OPB's liability and accident insurance may cover volunteers in many situations, volunteers are encouraged to consult with their own insurance agents regarding extension of their personal insurance to include community volunteer work.

Being at OPB

Animals at Work

Animals are not allowed in OPB buildings or vehicles with the exception of certified service or guide animals working with a disabled individual.

Diversity

OPB’s Commitment to Diversity

OPB values our listeners, viewers and readers and the unique blend of ideas and attitudes that they bring to Oregon and the northwest. We know it is our responsibility to give voice to our community in all its diversity, and we are wholly committed to doing so. Further, OPB carries this commitment to our work that is carried on multiple platforms, including radio, television, the Internet, and current/future digital media. We will focus on creating content that will help people to learn more about the richness of our diverse communities.

Definition of Diversity

We define diversity as the variety of differences and similarities among people, such as gender, race, ethnicity, tribe, age, religion, language, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, work style, work experience, job role and function, thinking style, personality type, socioeconomic status, etc.

Dress & Grooming

Although OPB does not have a formal dress code, wearing appropriate attire is an important way to represent OPB. You are expected to be neat and well groomed, taking into account safety and personal hygiene, and avoiding dress that is distracting or disrupting to our members, volunteers, interns, the community or other employees. Shoes must be worn at all times. Members of the Strategic Leadership Group and supervisors will maintain reasonable standards for their work areas. If you have any questions about dress, talk with your supervisor or contact Jenn Forristal.

Drug-Free Workplace

All employees and volunteers are prohibited from engaging in the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of a controlled substance on OPB premises, in OPB vehicles and/or while engaged in OPB business.

Emergency Plans

OPB emergency escape procedures and assignments are designed to respond to many potential emergencies including: fire, earthquake, bomb threat and hostage situations. In the event of an evacuation at OPB, leave the building immediately through the nearest exit and proceed to the picnic shelter in Willamette Park.

In the event of an emergency, DIAL 9-1-1.  There is no need to dial 9 first.

Holidays

OPB’s business offices are closed in recognition of the following holidays:

• New Year’s Day on January 1

• Martin Luther King Jr.‘s Birthday on the third Monday of January

• Presidents Day on the third Monday in February

• Memorial Day on the last Monday in May

• Juneteenth on June 19

• Independence Day on July 4

• Labor Day on the first Monday in September

• Veterans Day on November 11

• Thanksgiving Day on the fourth Thursday in November

• Christmas Day on December 25

ID/Access Badges

All employees (regular and some temporary), and some interns and regular volunteers will receive a photo Identification/Access (ID) badge. You must wear your ID badge at all times. Your access-enabled ID badge may provide you with building access after business hours and allow you to unlock the inner door from the main lobby. The inner door (leading from the lobby into the building) is closed and locked at all times. Use your access card to unlock the inner door or be buzzed in by the reception staff. In addition, you may be issued appropriate building access keys. Offices and other doors should be locked at the end of the workday.

Illness at OPB

Every year too many well-meaning, dedicated people come to work or volunteer sick at OPB. This not only affects their own work, but exposes others to illnesses, thus impacting many parts of OPB. Experts recommend staying home if you are sick until at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100 degrees) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medicines (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen). If you have any symptoms of contagious illness, please let your supervisor know and stay home.

Inclement Weather

Occasionally, inclement weather or other adverse conditions may delay the opening, or require closing, of OPB offices. In such circumstances, OPB will attempt to provide information regarding the delay or closure prior to the beginning of the workday via the OPB voicemail and e-mail systems. Essential operations (i.e., on-air operations) will continue even if the OPB office is closed as described above.

Things to keep in mind as a volunteer:

• Talk with your supervisor ahead of time about how you and they will communicate about inclement weather.

• If you are unable to safely make it to OPB, please let your supervisor know.

Parking

OPB has three parking lots for the main Portland building: one adjacent to the building entrance, one directly below and one to the north side of Nevada Street. Street parking is also available in the surrounding area. Do not park in the Zupan’s lot as your car will be towed. It’s also important to keep your vehicle information up-to-date; please submit updated information to Volunteer Programs staff.

Policy Against Harassment

OPB is committed to maintaining a work environment of mutual respect and dignity, and free from communications or behaviors that are offensive or degrading. It is against OPB policy for any employee/volunteer to harass or be harassed in any manner (including sexual harassment). All employees/volunteers are expected to act responsibly and help maintain a successful and respectful working environment. Any employee/volunteer found in violation of this policy will be subject to discipline up to and including dismissal.

Posting on Bulletin Boards & Distributing Literature

Bulletin boards are located throughout the building for communicating news and information to all OPB employees. Please post appropriate materials relative to the bulletin board being used. Literature can also be posted in the online classifieds email. Communications related to political or religious causes are prohibited. Management has the right and responsibility to remove inappropriate postings.

Safety Program

OPB is proactive in working to ensure a safe workplace for all employees/volunteers and to avoid accidents whenever possible. Accordingly, OPB has developed safety rules that comply with the safety and health standards of OR-OSHA for every job identified within its jurisdiction.

Generally, when on OPB property, do not:

• Walk under suspended loads

• Ride material hoists, crane loads or hooks

• Lean against safety lines or guardrails

• Use barrels, boxes, chairs, etc., for ladders

In addition, please be mindful to:

• Observe and practice the safety procedures established for the job.

• Keep your work area clean.

• Running and horseplay is forbidden.

• Report accidents or unsafe conditions immediately.

Smoking

Oregon law prohibits smoking in the workplace and within 10 feet of all entrances, exits, windows and air intake vents. If you work in the Portland building and wish to smoke, you may do so at the south end of the lower parking lot.

Working/Volunteering at OPB

Code of Conduct Policy

Maintaining high standards of honesty, integrity, impartiality and employee conduct is essential to OPB’s reputation and mission. We have a policy intended to provide guidance and encourage conversations before you act in a way that might call into question OPB’s ethical standards or neutral posture, and to highlight circumstances when further dialogue is necessary. If you’d like to see the policy, please let Jenn Forristal know.

Contract Authority Policy

No employee or volunteer has the authority to execute any contract or agreement on behalf of OPB without appropriate approval.

Driving or Riding in OPB Vehicles

You might need to drive an OPB vehicle to perform certain volunteer functions. Your supervisor will determine if this is needed, at which time you need to:

• Hold a valid driver’s license, which your supervisor may photocopy and OPB retains on file along with a completed Driver Approval Form

• Agree to, be knowledgeable of, and follow all traffic laws

• Ask your supervisor or Volunteer Programs staff for copies of the following OPB policies:

  • Travel and Safety Policy

  • Vehicle Use and Care Policy

Donor Contribution Acceptance Policy

The purpose of this donation acceptance policy is to provide guidance to OPB donors, staff, board members, and volunteers to ensure the protection of donors’ best interests and the continuing success of OPB.

Editorial Policy

This policy sets standards for editorial quality, defines undue influence, and clarifies the editorial goals of OPB. If you are creating content for OPB and would like to see this policy, please let Jenn Forristal know.

Information Systems Acceptable Use Policy

You may use OPB’s computer systems, networks and electronic data for authorized business purposes only and for brief periods of personal business. The Information Systems (IS) Acceptable Use policy provides guidelines on the appropriate use of these resources. If you would like to see this policy, please let us know.

Intellectual Property

This policy defines intellectual property and clarifies what intellectual property OPB owns and what it does not own in regards to employees, volunteers, and interns. If you create something as part of your role with OPB, it is most likely OPB’s intellectual property which restricts your use of it. If you’d like to see this policy, please let us know.

Nondiscrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

OPB is committed to maintaining a work environment of mutual respect and dignity. To further this commitment, OPB has a policy regarding nondiscrimination and equal employment opportunity, which all employees must follow. Additionally, all employees, volunteers, interns and contractors are expected to act responsibly and help maintain a successful and respectful working environment. Anyone found in violation of this policy will be subject to discipline up to and including dismissal. Any concerns or complaints should contact Jenn Forristal or People & Culture staff as soon as possible.

Social Media Policy

Each OPB staff member plays an important role in upholding best practices to ensure that OPB’s operations remain legal and transparent, and to continue OPB’s role as a trusted source of news, educational material, entertainment, and information. The Social Media Policy is intended to provide guidance on mitigating the risks involved in using social media while encouraging continued engagement with social media for its beneficial purposes. This policy applies to personal use of social media in additional to official OPB-sanctioned use.

Travel Policy

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that reasonable travel expenses (mileage reimbursement, meal and lodging per diems, etc.) are paid or reimbursed uniformly, equitably and efficiently, in accordance with sound business practices and IRS standards. This document is intended as a resource for OPB staff members to be used in tandem with other guidelines. If you’d like to see this policy, please let Jenn Forristal know.