AALL 2008 Annual Meeting - Portland Community Service Projects

2008 AALL Annual Meeting and Conference

Portland Community
Service Projects

Registration Deadline: June 6

The Special Interest Section (SIS) Council of AALL is proud to announce its sponsorship of two unique volunteer opportunities in Portland during the Annual Meeting and Conference. The SIS Council is partnering with the Portland Parks & Recreation Community Gardens and the Oregon Food Bank to offer attendees the opportunity to spend a few hours in the community and lend a hand to support our host city. Energize your experience!

Portland Parks and Recreation Community Gardens
Saturday, July 12 • 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (does not include travel time)
Limit: 50 volunteers

The Portland Parks & Recreation Community Gardens is hosting a project that involves invasive species removal (weeding) in Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge in southeast Portland. The Refuge is a 140-acre floodplain wetland located along the east bank of the Willamette River. It is rare for such a natural wetland to exist in the heart of a city and part of the park is built on a sanitation landfill consisting of 400,000 cubic feet of construction waste material layered with soil. The landfill was acquired by the city to block its development as an industrial park and was believed, at the time, to be one of the few remaining marshland areas in Portland.

Volunteers will need to bring suntan lotion, bug spray, rain gear and wear sturdy shoes. If you are allergic to bees, please bring any necessary medicines. Gloves, water and snacks will be provided. You do the weeding, they do the cleanup.

Travel to Oaks Bottom is the responsibility of the attendee and is a 15-20 minute public bus ride from downtown Portland. The fare is $1.75 each way and includes a 5 minute walk to the site. Further transportation information will be provided to registered volunteers as we near the service date.

Questions? Contact Volunteer Team Leader Pam Brannon at pbrannon@gsu.edu or 404/413-9128.

Oregon Food Bank and Learning Gardens
Saturday, July 12 • 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (does not include travel time)
Limit: 50 volunteers

The Oregon Food Bank recovers food from farmers, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, individuals and government sources. It then distributes that food to 20 regional food banks across Oregon, of which sixteen are independent charitable organizations. The OFB operates the four regional food banks serving the Portland metro area, Tillamook and southeast Oregon whose centers distribute food weekly to 348 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other programs helping low-income individuals in Clackamas, Clark, Multnomah, Washington, Tillamook, Malheur and Harney counties.

Volunteers will sort, inspect and pack fresh food donated by local grocery stores; help repackage frozen food donations into family-sized portions; repack bulk food, sort canned food, label packages and complete mailing projects.

The tasks involve standing, squatting, lifting and pulling. They can accommodate most physical limitations but please indicate on the registration form below if you have any special needs. You will receive an orientation and training before you begin working.

Guidelines:

Minimum age is 6 years old.
Youth Release forms are required for all youths under 18 years.
Shoes must have closed toes and heels (no sandals, clogs, mules or high heels). Volunteers will not be able to participate if they are wearing improper foot wear.
Dress in layers.Temperatures in the volunteer areas can vary, depending on projects.
No food, beverage, gum or candy may be consumed in the volunteer work areas.
Please do not attend if you feel sick or have a cough, runny nose, flu-like symptoms, open wounds, or food born illnesses
Hair nets, beard guards, aprons and disposable gloves are required and will be provided by OFB.

Travel to the Food Bank will be by charter bus, generously supported by contributions from various participating SISs. Further transportation information will be provided to registered volunteers as we near the service date.

Questions? Contact Volunteer Team Leaders Laura Ray at laura.ray@law.csuohio.edu or 216/687-6880 or Rita Dermody at rita.dermody@kingcounty.gov or 206/296-0940.

* required fields

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All volunteers are required to sign the AALL Liability Waiver and Release to participate.

Oregon Food Bank and Learning Gardens: Minimum age is 6 years old. Youth Release forms are required for all youths under 18 years.

Check here if you have a disability that may require consideration.

Please sign and fax all completed release forms to Vanessa Castillo at 312/431-1097. You will receive a general confirmation email once you complete this sign-up process, and you will receive a second, more detailed email closer to the event.