Volunteering and Mediation Training

Volunteering with Resolutions Northwest has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. By promoting peace locally, I feel that I am making a real difference by strengthening the fabric of our community. -- Volunteer Neighborhood Mediator

Resolutions Northwest is a people-powered organization and our success depends on a community of volunteers to bring creativity, energy and passion to our organization.  We welcome volunteers who are passionate about peacemaking, equity, justice and empowerment to join our community.

By joining our mailing list you will receive announcements of upcoming volunteer training events.

Volunteer Opportunities:

  • Community Mediators: RNW's volunteer mediators work directly with people in disputes; easing tensions, establishing trust, helping the parties find solutions. With professional training and ongoing staff mentoring and support, volunteers gain the skills and confidence to mediate the most challenging and complex cases. Being a volunteer mediator with RNW is a unique way to give back to the community while gaining valuable personal skills. This volunteer opportunity supports our Neighborhood Mediation Program funded by the City of Portland’s Office of Neighborhood Involvement. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, read more here.
  • Restorative Justice Facilitators: Through our contract with Multnomah County's Community Justice Department, we provide opportunities for juvenile offenders to take part in our Restorative Justice program, working with crime victims to repair the harm they have caused.  Volunteer mediators in our community program may receive additional training to learn to facilitate as part of our juvenile victim offender meeting program. The Restorative Justice facilitator training workshop occurs once a year in the spring.
  •  Community Facilitators: Resolutions Northwest also trains volunteers in  facilitation, dialogue techniques, and group process which supports our facilitation work with the Office of Neighborhood Involvement, community groups, neighborhood associations and other community-based organizations. Following the successful completion of the training, volunteers are expected to donate 35 hours of service as a community facilitator over the course of the next year. This training will be offered in the spring and early fall each year.
  •  Board Membership: As a volunteer board of directors, we seek energetic and talented individuals willing to donate two years to helping to support and build our agency.   Board membership involves an application and screening process. We are currently looking for 3-4 new members with specific expertise in nonprofit finance, human resources, technology or marketing.  More
  •  Special Projects: We also welcome shorter volunteer commitments and your donation of specific skills and passion. Currently we are looking for volunteers with expertise in graphic layout (using In-Design software); marketing; and technology support. If you are interested in volunteering on a special project please contact us at info@resolutionsnorthwest.org or at 503-595-4890.
  • Create an Opportunity: If you would like to contribute in ways that you don't see here, contact us and tell us how you want to help and we will likely welcome your participation. We can be reached at info@resolutionsnorthwest.org or at 503-595-4890.

If volunteering with Resolutions Northwest is not feasible for you at this time, we still encourage you to connect with our community by joining our announcement and newsletter mailing lists.  By connecting with us, you will receive information about community events that we host, such as a monthly book club or occasional socializing and networking events. More

Finally, as a community-supported agency, we would also encourage you to make a one time or monthly donation to Resolutions Northwest.  Increasingly we believe that our strength comes directly from the commitment and engagement of people like you who are interested in and passionate about peacemaking. Your support strengths us and our community.