Individual Giving
PSO Challenge
We are actively seeking volunteer assistance in a number of areas. If you have ever considered volunteering, now is the perfect time.
We have composed a list of tasks that require varying levels of commitment, responsibility and energy that range from very small to fairly significant. These tasks involve working in areas such as office support, hospitality, education, membership, community engagement and event staffing. If volunteering is something that appeals to you, we are sure we could match your interest, time and skills with the needs of the PSO.
Volunteering for the Portland Symphony Orchestra offers the opportunity to become more engaged in the Symphony and its service to the community, the chance to interact with our musicians, and most importantly the satisfaction of personally contributing to the arts. A group of individuals has already formed to guide your work in support of the PSO.
If this interests you, or if you would like any further information, please feel free to contact us at psovol@portlandsymphony.com. We could really use your help. We look forward to your involvement in our volunteer activities in support of the PSO!
MEMBERSHIP MANAGEMENT
Volunteer recognition and awards - develop ways to recognize and appreciate volunteers such as in annual awards presentation
Time involved: active all during season
Volunteer Orientation - help devise process to introduce new volunteers to needs and culture of PSO
Time involved: ongoing
Volunteer Staffing and Recruitment - match volunteers with projects, events, and the needs of the PSO.
Time involoved: monthly, varying time
Young Professionals - this is a new and developing category which needs leadership
OFFICE SUPPORT
Database - update and maintain volunteer database and list of donors,update records with eMerge, assist gift processing and sending out acknowledgment letters and appeal letters.
Time involved: once a month for a few days
Education Database - updating the 1500 addresses and contacts in our education mailing list for use in informing community about our education programs. Some basic knowledge of Microsoft excel helpful but not necessary.
Time involved: project is ongoing and can be done at various times of the day
Phones - provide phone support during business hours, answering questions, directing inbound calls. Also, help with establishing a handbook to answer patron questions.
Time involved - ongoing, daily
Board Materials - assist with the photocopying and assembling Board of Trustees packets; also maintain minutes and Board permanent files.
Time involved: approximately two hours per month
Copies/mailings - assist with stuffing envelopes and preparing in-house mailings
Time involved: as needed
Repertoire History - review and sort all old programs to help organize PSO performance history: dates, musical piece, conductor, guest artist etc.
Time involved: large long-term project
Library lnventory - update music catalogue. There are approximately 2000 pieces. Half sorting in library; half data entry. Some musical knowledge required.
Time involved: large long-term project
Time involved: large long-term project
Youth Concert Mailings - stuffing, applying postage and sending out education packets
Time involved: 2 times a year (September and April), 1 hour each
Postcards/Posters - distribute postcards and posters around area
Time involved: monthly 3 to 5 hours per area of distribution
HOSPITALITY
Guest Artist Support - drive guest artists to and from airport, rehearsals, etc.
Time involved: as needed, but we prefer having the guest artist be driven by the same driver during their stay in
Hotel Reservations - compiling musician reservation forms for sending to hotels.
Time involved: 10 –13 times a year through the concert season. 3–5 hours.
Housing Musicians - host musician in your home during concert set – within 10 mile radius.
Event Staffing - assist with special events including Designer Show House - assistance with check-in/out, set up/break down, hosting rooms, assistance with parking.
Time involved: as needed basis.
Feeding Musicians/Snack delivery - arrange for food, drinks, or snacks for musicians during rehearsals. Picking up and delivering pre-ordered food, making cookies, sweets, snacks for 85 musicians.
Time involved: as necessary for each concert weekend
Musician Child-care - helping provide or obtain child care for children of out of town musicians.
Time involved: throughout the season, half day commitment (2 ½ hr minimum) week of concert.
COMMUNITY AMBASSADORS
On site Education Support - help with education concerts in local communities. Checking in school groups, showing teachers/students to their seats, ensuring that their concert experience is as pleasant as possible.
Time involved: typically requires morning travel 9 - noon and a time commitment of 2-3 hours
Concert Table Staffing & Decoration - arrange lobby tables before concerts, engage patrons, answer questions, break down tables, collect any mailing list signups. Volunteers will be provided with one complimentary seat (location at the discretion of the management).
Time involved: 3-4 hours on concert nights.
Welcome Packets - at first concert of each series, tape cards to seats of all new subscribers
Time involved: roughly 3 hours.
PATRON CULTIVATION
Patron, Musician, Board Milestones - develop a catalogue of important milestones of patrons, musicians, and Board members, to aid in timely recognition.
Time involved: ongoing
Calling Donors & Patron-thanks - phone calls and/or thank you notes to patrons and contributing donors. Also possibly calls to solicit renewals.
Time involved: ongoing
Adopt Subscribers (in process of development) - outreach and some ongoing personal contact with new subscribers to make subscribing experience more personal and welcoming. Volunteer must be a subscriber.
Time involved: ongoing
New Subscriber outreach Thank-You-Thon - call all new subscribers after their first concert to welcome them to the PSO, answer any questions they may have.
Time involved: minimum of 2 hours at PSO office
Backstage - Offering backstage tour. Requires reading up on the Merrill Auditorium facts/history. Currently no tours are scheduled but can be arranged with interest.
Time involved: about 1 hour per trip
OTHER
Ushering
Show House - assist with Designer Show House Event. Including help with check-in, hosting rooms, working in the boutique, and assisting with the Preview Party.
Time involved: for the duration of the exhibition, in shifts
