Becoming a volunteer tutor can be a rewarding and invaluable way to make a difference within your community, but it is certainly not the only way to get involved. This concluding section outlines some of the other options that each help to advance literacy throughout Oregon.

Volunteer Options

• Many of the local programs are coordinated by part time or volunteer staff. If you are interested in helping a local literacy program, you might help with data tracking, assembling and sending mailings, coordinating tutors and students, with events, or any other of the organization's special needs.
• Contact the Literacy Line at 1-800-322-8715 or via email at litline@oregonliteracy.org to find a program in your area.

• A great way to get involved is to participate in Oregon Literacy's volunteer program. Volunteers are a pivotal part of our organization, assisting us with our support of adult literacy in endless ways. A key goal of our volunteer program is to work with each individual volunteer to find a project that makes best use of their current skills, while providing the opportunity to gain experience in any areas of their interest. Volunteers at Oregon Literacy are event planners, grant writers, newsletter editors and story writers, PR representatives, database designers, web page developers, researchers, and MORE.
• Additionally, we have plenty of opportunities that just require a one time commitment to assist us the day of an event. We are grateful to the dozens of people each year who join our team and use their skills to support literacy.
• You can read more about our volunteer program here.

• The Board of Directors governs the affairs of nonprofit organizations, such as Oregon Literacy, Inc. and many of the community based literacy organizations throughout Oregon.
• The Oregon Literacy Board of Directors provides management and guidance to OLI's activities each year, and participates in publicity and fundraising efforts. The Board of Directors is an important component of delivering OLI's services, and the small staff at our office relies on our board for their expertise, ideas and support.
• Click here to learn more about becoming a board member for Oregon Literacy.

• Oregon Literacy is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with interns who are tying community service into their career and learning goals. We are committed to offering substantive learning opportunities to all of our interns.
• Our minimum requirement is a commitment of 15 hours a week [performed on at least 2 separate days at the Oregon Literacy office], for a minimum of 12 weeks. The specific duties of each intern depend on the time of year, the projects OLI is working on at the time, and the number of other interns volunteering at the same time.
• Click here to learn more about internships.

• Another important way to get involved is to help advocate for those in need. Oregon Literacy has developed a Speakers' Bureau to raise awareness about adult education needs, issues, and opportunities. After participating in a brief training, you can represent Oregon Literacy and adult learners statewide at a variety of speaking engagements.
• To learn more contact info@oregonliteracy.org.

• The Learner Web project is an active partnership between Oregon Literacy, Inc. and Portland State University. The Learner Web is a website in development that will act as a portal for learners, teachers, volunteers and community organizations to interact with each other and will fit each party with resources, both on-line and in their community, which will help them reach their goals. The program allows adult students to improve their skills by interacting with websites, tutors and other learners. Learners may direct their own learning in an "out of class" environment that can be any combination of on-line, phone and traditional literacy services.
• The role of the volunteer is integral to the Learner Web project. All users of the Learner Web will become Learner Web members by logging-on to the learner web and by filling out a profile form. Every user will be given the opportunity to choose a role: Learner, Volunteer Tutor, or Volunteer Helper. Although volunteers will fill out a profile and become a member of the Learner Web, they will work with OLI's Program Assistant to ask questions and report volunteer hours.
• Volunteers will provide information about the number of hours they wish to volunteer, the length of time they wish to volunteer, their preferences for working virtually or in a face to face environment, and their expectations and goals. Based on this profile information, they will be matched appropriately with a role that meets their needs and hopes. There are three levels of volunteering available: Tutors, Helpers, and Resource Locators. Helpers will log into the Learner Web system for a given period of time (maybe an hour or two) and will be available to answer random Learner questions through the Internet or over the phone. Volunteer tutors will work over a period of time with a learner or learners in a particular subject area, coaching the learner(s) to attain a preset educational goal. Resource Locaters will work seek out web-based and community resources, making them available for learners.
• To learn more, please contact the Learner Web at learnerweb@oregonliteracy.org or visit the website at www.learnerweb.org.

• Most literacy programs throughout Oregon are nonprofit organizations. Any donation to a nonprofit organization may be tax deductible. Please visit www.irs.gov to learn more.
• Literacy programs are in need of both monetary and in kind donations. Furniture, office supplies, and computers are some examples of high need donations for our literacy programs statewide.
• Click here to learn more about giving options.