Like talking with your neighbors? Love trees? Coordinate with us!

Bringing people together to plant and care for trees - it can start with you! (FOT file)

By Andy Meeks

Urban street and yard trees increase air and water quality, improve neighborhood livability, help mitigate stormwater runoff, boost property values, and help beautify neighborhoods.

But we can’t plant them without our Neighborhood Coordinators (NCs) – our most vital connection to the neighborhoods where we plant trees.

Our annual Neighborhood Coordinator Training will be held on Thursday, July 12, from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm at the Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church at 2828 SE Stephens Street in Portland.

If you’re interested in learning more, please pre-register for the training by filling out this form, and see the training schedule below.

Building community on planting day (FOT file)

NCs are critical to the mission and success of Friends of Trees and work closely with staff members to help with customer questions, outreach strategies, and planting day logistics. The most important piece of the equation is the willingness to communicate with your neighbors, get excited about having more trees in your neighborhood—and, of course, have fun doing it!

No experience is necessary! We’ll train you in all aspects of this role and support you throughout the planting season.

NCs typically work in teams since adjacent neighborhoods are grouped into planting events together. Scheduling is flexible and most work can be done at home. The typical time commitment is approximately 60 hours from mid-summer until the planting event occurs between November and March. That’s just a few hours per week. Planting event dates vary depending on neighborhoods.

Click HERE for an inspiring video created by Jeff Cole, one of our Neighborhood Coordinators in Sunnyside, documenting what a Friends of Trees planting day is all about.

The following neighborhoods currently do not have a Neighborhood Coordinator — without an NC, it is much more difficult for us to plant trees!

PORTLAND VANCOUVER
  • Argay
  • Brooklyn
  • Boise
  • Grant Park
  • Montavilla
  • Mt. Tabor
  • Overlook
  • Parkrose
  • Parkrose Heights
  • Russell
  • South Tabor
  • Sumner
  • University Park
  • Wilkes
  • Woodstock
  • Arnada
  • Burnt Bridge Creek
  • Hough
  • Rose Village
  • Vancouver Heights

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SCHEDULE FOR NEIGHBORHOOD COORDINATOR TRAININGS

SESSION #1
Our annual Neighborhood Coordinator (for all NEW NCs) will be held on Thursday, July 12 from 6:00 to  8:30 pm at the Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church at 2828 SE Stephens Street in Portland.

AND

SESSION #2
Portland Neighborhood Coordinators (NEW and RETURNING):  A second training session will be held on Thursday, August 23 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm for new and returning NCs to meet each other and learn about our online ordering system.

OR

SESSION #2
Vancouver Neighborhood Coordinators (NEW and RETURNING):  This session will be held on Thursday, September 6 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm for new and returning NCs to meet each other and learn about our online ordering system.

 

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If you have any questions about this role or would like any additional information, please don’t hesitate to contact Andy Meeks or Jenny Bedell-Stiles at 503-595-0213.

We hope to work with you this season!

–Meeks is the Volunteer & Outreach Manager for Friends of Trees.