Seeking Neighborhood Coordinators: the role that brings us all together!

Members of the North Portland Neighborhood Coordinator team at the St. Johns Parade (FoT file)

By Jenny Bedell-Stiles

Here at Friends of Trees we admire all our volunteers, but no role is as central to the preparation of a successful neighborhood tree planting as that of the Neighborhood Coordinator. Neighborhood Coordinators (NCs) are the heartwood of our organizational tree, if you will. They are the local neighborhood hub of information for their neighbors who want to plant trees with us. NCs encourage their neighbors to get trees, help them select the trees that are right for their space/interests, and then help manage the planting day. Neighborhood coordinating is a great way to both learn about trees and meet more of your neighbors!

Are you or someone you know interested in representing your neighborhood by Neighborhood Coordinating? All interested parties are invited to our popular Neighborhood Coordinator Training, Thursday, August 15, 6:00-8:30 pm — Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church, 2828 SE Stephens St, Portland OR 97214 (map). (If you are unable to make this date, please let us know and we can arrange an alternate time.) Register in advance HERE to save your spot!

Neighborhood Coordinators at the registration table on planting day (FoT File)

We’re looking to train new NCs who are willing to commit on average about 10 hrs/month for the 4-6 months before their neighborhood planting (Nov-March depending on neighborhood), with more of that time committed in the month or two before your planting. If that’s too much, we can always scale back your responsibilities to something more manageable. We always work with our NCs to find a way for them to participate in a way that works for their needs. One staff person is assigned to each neighborhood to be your supporting staffer throughout this whole process.

We have just over 100 active NCs, and yet there are still neighborhoods that currently have none or need some additional help (Neighborhood Coordinating works best with a team). Please help us recruit! Without NCs in a neighborhood, we can’t maximize our ability to plant there, meaning fewer trees and the myriad benefits they bring our community. We’re accepting new NCs in all neighborhoods we plant in (N, NE, SE, and E Portland and Vancouver) but are particularly interested in finding individuals from the following neighborhoods:

PORTLAND

VANCOUVER

N Portland

  • St Johns
  • Cathedral Park
  • University Park
  • Kenton

NE Portland

  • Eliot
  • Vernon
  • Alameda
  • Irvington
  • Sabin
  • Grant Park
  • Sumner

SE Portland

  • Sellwood
  • Brooklyn
  • Eastmoreland
  • Westmoreland
  • Kerns
  • Creston-Kenilworth
  • Mt Tabor
  • South Tabor
  • Montavilla
  • Lents

E Portland

  • Powelhurst-Gilbert
  • Centennial
  • Parkrose
  • Parkrose Heights
  • Argay
  • Russell
  • Wilkes
  • Mill Park
  • Glenfair
  • Pleasant Valley
Central Vancouver

  • Burton Ridge
  • Forest Ridge
  • Meadow Homes
  • Oakbrook
  • Ogden
  • Vancouver Heights

NE Vancouver

  • Burnt Bridge Creek
  • Countryside Woods
  • First Place
  • Image
  • Landover Sharmel
  • North Image

SE Vancouver

  • Cascade Highlands
  • Cascade Southeast
  • Fisher’s Creek
  • Fisher’s Landing East
  • Wildwood
  • Bella Vista
  • Riveridge

We hope this is the role for you and can’t wait to welcome you to the “Tree Team!” Register HERE for our Neighborhood Coordinator training! If you have any questions or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact Andy Meeks or me in the Volunteer & Outreach Program at 503-595-0213.

– Bedell-Stiles is the Volunteer & Outreach Specialist at Friends of Trees.