FAQ´s
Q: How do I get started with my community service?
A: You can contact us in one of three ways: Phone (503-555-1234), email info@portlandcourtvoluntold.com or complete our contact form.
Q: When can I expect a response to my request for info or community service?
A: We will respond within two business days.
Q: I messed up and forgot I had to do community service. I have court tomorrow in the afternoon. Now what?
A: If you contact us BEFORE 8:00 am the day before your court apprearance, and you have reliable transportation, it MIGHT be possible to get it done. However, the courts WILL NOT accept work done on the day of court. You may have to go to court and accept any consequences.
Q: What kind of work will I be doing?
A: Unless otherwise specified, you will be doing light landscaping outdoors: pulling weeds, spreading mulch, or raking leaves, etc. For special events: you may be directing traffic, handing out programs, helping with kids' games or interacting with the public.
Q: What should I wear?
A: For light landscaping duties and for safety reasons, you are required to wear long pants (jeans, no sweats, no saggy pants) and long sleeves, socks and close-toed shoes. Layers are best. Bring raingear. For special events: long pants (no rips or holes, no sweats, no saggy pants), polo shirts or blouses (no T-shirts, tank tops or cleavage showing), no apparel with slogans or graphics, and comfortable shoes for standing. Costumes (non-scary, kid-friendly and tasteful) may be appropriate for Halloween/Fall Festivals or the Holiday Express.
Q: How can I sign up for special events?
A: Check our blog for special events. Please realize that the agency has a certain number of slots to fill, so it's first come, first scheduled. For family events (Washington Park Summer Concerts, Sunday Parkways, Halloween or Fall Festival events), you must also pass a background check. Allow three days for background check processing.
Q: Your site warns that I should "not self-assign" my community service. What does that mean?
A: For convenience and efficiency, we post the location addresses, schedules and the contact info of the site managers. To self-assign means to circumvent contacting us and just showing up on your own to do community service. Self-assigned work is unauthorized work and will not receive credit. As part of our process, we let the agencies know that you will be volunteering. Site managers have been instructed to turn away self-assigned workers. Warning: if you self-assign, you may arrive at the site and find no one there!
Q: I rely on public transportation. I only have one-way fare. Can I get a ride home from staff?
A: No. Due to liability issues, staff can only transport volunteers throughout the site or traveling to another site.
Q: I need to cancel my community service. What should I do?
A: First, call the site contact and speak to him or her. Leave a message if necessary. Second, call our office and leave a message. Warning: It is your responsibility to reschedule. Three cancellations or no shows will result in terminating your ability to perform community service with Portland Court Voluntold.
Q: What is the "Three (3) Strikes" Policy?
A: In order to have a good working relationship with our partner agencies, we need workers who are responsible, reliable and dependable. Three cancellations or no shows will result in terminating our working relationship with you.
Q: I reviewed your schedule and nothing fits my schedule. Can I just go down to my neighborhood park or show up at any non-profit and do community service?
A: It is possible to arrange special projects, but these take at least a week to set up. But, due to staff shortages and the supervisor requirement, it probably will not happen. If your community service requirement is through Multnomah County, you can only work at the four partner agencies.
Examples of community service
(rollover images to view larger image)
Washington Park Rose Garden
Peninsula Park Rose Garden
Halloween Party at Hillside
