Volunteering

PAO runs on the energy and passion of its Board members and a motivated group of talented PAO members who step up to take on duties large and small. No matter where you live, opportunities to get involved abound for various positions that last over a range of timelines.

Regional Representatives

Oregon is divided into regional areas by land and weather factors that seasonally can restrict travel to our home base in Medford. One of our primary goals is to include regions outside our local area and to encourage pastel artists to support one another. By establishing regional representatives, we can actively bring members together within a geographical area to paint, socialize, and network and to offer events and educational opportunities. PAO also plans to have Exhibitions throughout the state and will need support from members in different regions.

Responsibilities:

The Regional Representative is responsible for setting up local events that offer members a chance to get together. Some possible ideas include Paint Outs, Paint Ins, Critique Groups, Workshops, and opportunities for members to show their work at local businesses.

Additional Support Needed:

When PAO has an Exhibition in one of its regions, assistance may be needed to secure a venue, staff the show, provide refreshments, and other duties. These activities will be supported and coordinated by the Exhibition Chair and funded with the Exhibition Budget.

PAO Support:

You don’t need PAO Board approval to host local events; however, we do want to support you through our website and on Facebook.

 

Exhibition Chair and Committees

The Exhibition Chair finds and secures the venue for all exhibitions, working closely with the second Vice President. PAO has a Biennial International Open Juried Exhibition called Spirit of Pastel (SOP) and a Membership Online Exhibition (MOX) in alternate years. It also sponsors mini regional shows giving members an opportunity to exhibit their work. The Chair works with Volunteers to staff the exhibition, providing hospitality and refreshments as needed, depending on the venue. The chair submits a prospectus to Showsubmit.com for online entry.

The Exhibition Chair oversees Workshop Volunteers who secure a list of possible presenters for workshops, either separately or in conjunction with the annual exhibition. Training and job shadowing is provided.

Social Media Co-Chair:

The Social Media Co-Chair works with the Marketing/Communications Chair to promote PAO through Social Media.

a) Facebook—We currently have a PAO Page and a PAO Group Facebook site. The Social Media Chair is responsible for posting pastel-related news for members and encouraging members to post news and paintings, and writing supportive comments on members’ postings to encourage dialogue.

b) PAO YouTube Channel—PAO has a YouTube channel. If you have experience with this, we could use your expertise. We will post demonstrations by pastel artists and other pastel-related educational material of interest to our members.

c) Instagram—PAO has an Instagram site but it is not developed. If you have experience with Instagram and are a frequent contributor, we would welcome your help to develop this marketing channel.

Volunteer Coordinator:

a) Assist the Vice President in charge of Membership, Committee Chairs, and Regional Representatives in recruiting volunteers needed to implement any part of the work of the organization, such as helping with exhibitions or identifying candidates for elected or appointed positions.

b) Update and maintain a shared document for tracking Volunteers and potential volunteers.

c) Develop and/or maintain a system to track the hours that volunteers give to support the activities of the organization.

d) Compile and report Volunteer hours for exhibitions, workshops, and outreach activities to the Vice President in charge of Membership and appropriate Committee Chairs for any grant-supported programs or events.

Requirements: Internet access and basic computer skills, basic comfort with Excel is helpful; Attention to detail; Has good verbal communication skills, especially by telephone; Works well with team members; Completes assigned tasks in a timely fashion; Brings a positive attitude to the team.