VOLUNTEER

We are always looking for volunteers. From monthly projects to our seasonal events and ongoing programs, there are so many ways to contribute your talents and skills.

Check out some of our Volunteer Opportunities

Interested in ongoing volunteer opportunities and committees? Please check out our opportunities below and contact the office.

VOLUNTEER LOGIN

UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

SPRING FOGELBO TOURS - Friday, March 13 & Saturday, March 14, 2025
Join us at Fogelbo to help give a tour of the cozy historic log cabin in all it’s Christmas magic. You will be assigned a spot in the house and learn more about it to then give the tour! This opportunity is open to all Fogelbo docents who have previously done tours or attended a docent training. We will also provide you with information prior to the tours. Shifts are available on Friday & Saturday – 9:30am-2:30pm. Questions? Email sassac@nordicnorthwest.org

FAMILY EASTER CELEBRATION – Sunday, March 29, 2026 | Nordia House

A fun event with crafts, snacks, coffee, and, of course, an easter egg hunt. In partnership with Finlandia Foundation Columbia Pacific Chapter, Portland Finnish School, Nordic Northwest.

Volunteer Opportunity for check-in

Volunteer Opportunity for Bar

Volunteer Opportunity for Parking

Volunteer Opportunity for Buffet

Volunteer Opportunity for Runner

NORDIC NIGHTS - AUCTION & GALA – Friday, April 3, 2026

Nordic Nights is an exciting & elegant evening at Nordia House with socializing, entertainment, wine and food, all while raising vital funds in support of our cultural mission. Join in the fun as part of the crew! There's lots of fun ways to participate! Can you help? We would love to have you!

Take a look at our shifts here

NORDIC GAME NIGHT – Thursday, April 9, 2026 | Nordia House

Do you love board games? A cozy and captivating evening of board games inspired by Nordic culture. From Viking sagas and snowy landscapes to clever strategy and elegant design. We are looking for help with:

Volunteer Opportunity for check-in

Volunteer Opportunity for Bar

Volunteer Opportunity for Game Master

KIDS WOODCARVING ADVENTURE: WALKING STICKS & DANISH LORE – Saturday, April 18, 2026 | Nordia House

We are looking for volunteers who can help assist with this fun woodworking workshop. In this lively two‑hour class, Nick Maier of Skillcraft Institute will help new woodworkers make their own walking stick from fresh forest branches.

Volunteer Opportunity for Experienced Wood Carving Class Assistant

FINNISH FLAVORS: WALLA WALLA ITÄ WINE TASTING & BITES – Thursday, April 16, 2026 | Nordia House

Interested in joining us for an evening of Wine Tasting with itä Winery and Finnish Fare? We would love to have you.

Volunteer Opportunity for Plating & Runner

FAMILY RUGBRÖD (DANISH RYE BREAD) CLASS – Saturday, May 2, 2026 | Nordia House

We are looking for a couple of volunteers who can assist participants during this fun bread making

Volunteer Opportunity for Class Assistant

Highlighted Ongoing & Committee Opportunities:

Nordic Cuisine Committee

Do you love food? Especially the Nordic variety? Join this fabulous committee in planning Nordic cuisine programs. Have fun recruiting guest chefs, creating delicious line-ups and evaluating the success of classes and instructors.

The committee meets at various times based on the frequency of events being planned. Times and dates are varied and agreed upon by members availability.

They are looking for... community members with a background in cooking & baking (no professional experience needed) who are interested in planning programs or teaching about various kinds of Nordic inspired meals.

Interested? Click here.

Fogelbo Forest Trolls

The happy Trolls meet every Tuesday - rain or shine - and pull out all the tricks (and weeds) beautifying the grounds. Our trolls, instead of skulking in the deep dark woods, are true magicians when it comes to helping identify & prune plants, trimming trees, building and repairing small structures, wild weeding and so much more.

Any amount of time you can donate is greatly appreciated.

Interested in stopping by on a Tuesday sometime?

Investment Committee

Do you have experience in investment environment and professional credentials? Be a part of the Investment committee, responsible for the portfolio of Nordic Northwest. The committee has overall responsibility for the operation and administration of the Portfolio subject to approval of the Finance Committee. The members of the Investment Committee are fiduciaries of the Portfolio with respect to all responsibilities allocated to them. The committee meets quarterly. Interested? Let us know here.

Development Committee
Do you have community and/or business connections, fundraising, event planning or a business leadership background? The Development Committee leads Nordic Northwest's strategic direction that identifies philanthropy's role in accomplishing its strategic plan, vision & mission. They meets monthly - 2nd Monday of the month.
Interested in helping steer the programming ship? Sign-up here.

Nordic Northwest embraces volunteers and strives to provide opportunities that deepen community, share the experience of the cultural heritages represented by Nordic Northwest and advance its mission and vision.

Nordic Northwest maintains an active volunteer base and we are and will be forever grateful to our amazing volunteers without whom this organization would not exist. We truly appreciate your wonderful enthusiasm and support. As a volunteer you, of course, get free entry to the events and programs for which you selected a volunteer shift, enjoy the benefits of special invitations to volunteer programs and make lasting friendships along the way!

APPLY TODAY

You can apply in a few simple steps.

1. Interested in volunteering but not entirely sure how? Fill out our online volunteer interest form and send it back to Nordic Northwest. We will contact you and explore further steps

PLEASE NOTE:

You have to log in to your account.

If you are a member or have attended events and this is the first time you are logging in, or if you have forgotten your login information, please click “Having trouble logging in?”. You are prompted to enter the email address associated with your account, and a link will be emailed to you to set up your login.

If you have not been a member in the past or attended events, please click on “create account."

2. You have signed up to volunteer for a specific event, program, committee and just have to send in the paperwork?

Complete the volunteer application, sign the waiver and email to Sassa and you are good to go!

Feel free to browse one or more of our volunteer opportunities posted below and call the office with any questions about upcoming opportunities, etc.

Volunteer Opportunities

ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES

Please contact the office if you are interested in any of the following opportunities:

Office Assistance:

Help us with event preparation, reception, digitizing archives, mailings, and other office tasks.

Tour Guides & Docents:

Lead groups on architecture tours of Nordia House and the Nordic Northwest Campus. We also have volunteer opportunities to be part of the quarterly Fogelbo Tours.

Stewardship, Volunteer & Membership

Assist with active community outreach campaigns to recruit new members and volunteers and attend volunteer fairs.

Facilities & Groundskeeping:

Spend time beautifying and brush-clearing at Fogelbo, potting plants or gardening at Nordia House through spring, summer, and fall with the award winning Fogelbo Trolls, a fun volunteer group that meets every Tuesday morning. We also have week round opportunities for indoor and outdoor Nordia House beautification.

Event Photography:

Do you have an affinity for taking pictures? we are looking for avid photographers to capture the fun and diversity our festivals, fundraisers, programs, concerts, classes, lectures and more with their camera.

Event-Day Volunteering

We're always looking for help at our festivals, programs, concerts, galas and more. Sign up for a shift at one of our seasonal events and help with set-up, check-in, volunteer coordination, games, bar (with current OLCC license), food (with valid food handler's license), kids area, Nordic Northwest booth, admission, decorations, take-down, and more.