HOW TO JOIN
READY TO APPLY?
The deadline to apply to the local Portland Chapter of AMIGOS has passed. We are still accepting applications through our National Chapter! You can learn more about the National Chapter here.
CONTACT
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact [email protected].
ABOUT
The AMIGOS Portland Chapter is part of a 10 Chapter Network that recruits, trains, and supports AMIGOS volunteers and families in their local community. Volunteers from the Pacific Northwest/Portland, Oregon area train together as a group before leaving for their summer experience in Latin America. Our board supports volunteers and families with group fundraising, service learning, community building, and overall preparation. Learn more about our Summer Programs here!
HISTORY
Since the Portland Chapter’s incorporation in 1997, over 500 youth from Portland and its suburbs have volunteered through the chapter path, fundraising and training locally before the summer.
CURRENT VOLUNTEERS
Portland Chapter volunteers attend Abiqua School, Churchill, Cleveland, De La Salle, Franklin, Grant, Lake Oswego, Lincoln, Milwaukie, North Clackamas, Oregon Episcopal, Riverdale, Roosevelt, Southridge, St. Mary’s, Tigard, Tualatin, Wilson, and many more!
TESTIMONIALS
CLICK HERE to see photos from 2019!
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
AMIGOS actively recruits and supports inclusion of volunteers from diverse backgrounds. AMIGOS Portland provides need-based financial assistance (FA) with distribution determined by family income, number of dependents, and special financial circumstances.
ADDITIONAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
All alumni interested in volunteering again with AMIGOS qualify to apply for the Alumni Award. We highly encourage you to apply for financial assistance.
RESOURCES:
- All alumni interested in volunteering again with AMIGOS qualify to apply for the Alumni Award.
- To learn more about program fees, check out the Fees and Financial Assistance webpage.
CONTACT:
- Please reach out to Linda Ganzini, Portland FA Coordinator, via email at [email protected] with any questions about financial assistance.
TRAINING
The transformative AMIGOS experience starts before leaving home.
With over 55 years of experience preparing young people for travel and service abroad, AMIGOS training offers unparalleled global youth leadership development. Pre-departure training equips volunteers with the critical thinking, communication skills, and technical knowledge they need to make a meaningful impact across cultures while staying healthy and safe. The Portland Chapter AMIGOS training is experiential learning that prepares volunteers for their AMIGOS experience, builds a community of youth and families with shared values, and develops life-skills to help students succeed beyond AMIGOS. Training sessions are facilitated by the Training Team and Portland Chapter Board of Directors.
SERVICE LEARNING
The Portland Chapter incorporates service learning into the AMIGOS training to add depth and first-hand experience to the curriculum. Service learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility and strengthen communities.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM INCLUDE:
- Unparalleled leadership development
- Cross-cultural awareness and understanding
- Health and safety training
- Opportunities to practice Spanish
- Creating a community of young people with shared values
TRAINING CALENDAR
Feb 4, 2024, 12:30-5:30PM: Orientation
Feb 10, 2024, 9:00AM-4:00PM: Training
Mar 3, 2024, 2:00-5:00PM: Letters Party (fundraising activity)
April 13, 2024, 9:00AM-12:30PM: Community Service at NEFP
May 18-19, 2024 (Sat 10:00AM-Sun 4:00PM): Retreat at Chrysalis Farms
June 2, 2024, 4:00-6:00PM: Departure Party
FUNDRAISING
GROUP FUNDRAISING
The Portland Chapter offers significant reductions in program fees through letter writing to donor contacts (February-March). We chose this activity to maximize our ability to provide the AMIGOS experience to all volunteers without regard to family financial circumstances. The individual fundraising goal is approximately $3,000 to cover fee reductions and chapter expenses.
All volunteers are required to fully take part in letter writing, as fundraising skills are an important component of the AMIGOS training program. Fundraising also raises awareness of AMIGOS programs in the Portland community. Detailed financial information, including fundraising and financial assistance are discussed at our Information Sessions and then again more completely at Candidate and Parent Interviews.
LETTER WRITING/DONOR CONTACTS
Each volunteer is required to send out 100 letters to friends, family and other contacts, requesting individual tax-deductible donations to the chapter (the revenue from this effort is pooled). Letters are written by the volunteer with considerable help provided by the chapter during the process.
To see some of our fundraising efforts from last year, check out our Summer 2023 CauseVox Campaign here.
Please note that airfare is not included in the Fee for Portland Chapter volunteers. Airfare estimates can be found here.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jennifer Schmidt
Co-President/Outreach/Parent Support
[email protected]
Jeff Spalding
Co-President/Assistant Treasurer/Fundraising (Grapefruit)
Eric Hill
Treasurer
Peggy Bartelt
Secretary
Linda Ganzini
Fundraising (Letters)/Financial Aid
David Pribnow
Paperwork/Workspace
Alysha Catalano
Community Events/Financial Aid
Riley Stevenson
Recruitment/Newsletter
Jackie Wallace
Training Support
Recruitment and Training Team
Elena Volchok
Outreach Coordinator
[email protected]
Susan Douglass
Training Director
[email protected]