By Tracy Thompson, NWM Volunteer Coordinator
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Leadership Roles Available at the Wooden Boat Festival
The 48th annual Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival takes place this year on September 5-7, and we are seeking volunteers who are interested in stepping into a leadership role. This event relies on capable volunteers who serve as captains; they organize and direct the volunteers for separate areas of the festival. As a WBF Captain, we will shower you with appreciation and celebrate you with a special Captains’ Dinner—this year at a fabulous new location!
We are seeking captains for the following areas:
- Audio Visual Captain Needed
Festival offers over 120 presentations by up to 80 presenters on eight stages each year. We have a wonderful team of A/V volunteers, many of whom have been on the team for several years. We are looking for a leader to replace the former A/V Captain, who is retiring from the position.
This year, we’ve updated our A/V system to include two glorious 4K LCD displays that hold their own in daylight, and we’ve given our audio system a much-needed glow-up as well—crisp enough for quiet testimonials, and powerful enough to provide the impact of a seagoing documentary. We’ve also updated our screen flexibility and streamlined the control system, providing fewer “is this thing on?” moments.
Are you tech-savvy, cool under pressure, and great with people? We’re looking for someone who can lead with enthusiasm, manage volunteers, support presenters, and troubleshoot on the fly. As A/V Captain, you’ll oversee stage equipment, train other stage captains, and ensure smooth setup and tear-down across Festival.
- Greeter Co-Captain, Festival Headquarters
As the co-captain of this team, you will be guiding visitors, volunteers, and vendors to the correct check-in location. You’ll lead the volunteers who check wristbands, direct people to the Main Gate or Volunteer Check-in, and assist exhibitors and musicians coming and going through their special gates. With your kind but firm demeanor, you are contributing to the success of the Festival in a big way.
- Greeter Main Gate – PM
Help lead this crew of friendly people who act as the face of the Festival! Greeters in this role are stationed at an entry gate to verbally greet Festival attendees, provide guest information, check wristbands, and more. You’re comfortable leading a crew of friendly folks who can enforce rules with a smile. If you’re excited to be at the Festival (we sure are!) and you enjoy greeting people, be the afternoon lead for this crew!
If you’re interested in a leadership role, contact Tracy at volunteer@nwmaritime.org or call (360) 316-1570.
Support Youth Maritime Education on the Water
We are seeking Safety Vessel Operators to assist students in our Port Townsend Maritime Academy (PTMA) program. If you are comfortable on the water and feel confident in your ability to assist students in case of an emergency—we’d love your help!
The role would start in mid-September, with a time commitment of 1-5 mornings a week from 7:45–11:15 AM. As the PTMA expands in enrollment, volunteer assistance in this role would help provide ample on-the-water time for our students.
Qualifications:
- Skilled vessel operator: rowing, small keelboat sailing, outboard, and small motorboats
- Experience teaching in hands-on alternative learning environments or in a classroom setting
- Thrive within a team setting (you will be part of a small instructional team)
- Enthusiasm for working outdoors in all types of weather
- First aid certification, or the ability to acquire it
Interested? Contact Tracy at volunteer@nwmaritime.org or call (360) 316-1570 with questions or to learn more.
Front Desk Volunteers Sought
We’re looking for volunteers to be our “front door” and serve as the first point of contact for Northwest Maritime’s administrative office. If you are familiar with Northwest Maritime’s many programs and events, or can study up to become so, this role might be right for you!
You’ll be a font of information, or be able to connect with the staffer who is, for our upcoming adventure races (SEVENTY48 and WA360), Wooden Boat Festival, venue rentals, and so much more.
Shift opportunities are flexible, typically between 9:00 AM–1:00 PM Wednesday through Friday, and afternoons from 1:00–5:00 PM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The learning curve will be accelerated if you are able to fill more than one shift a week.
Interested? Contact Tracy at volunteer@nwmaritime.org or call (360) 316-1570 with questions or to learn more.
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION
Maritime Career Fair Support
The recent Maritime Career Fair featured exhibitors and activities for youth interested in exploring a career in the maritime industry. A wonderful roster of volunteers came out on Saturday, April 26, to share the wonders of plankton (Darryl Hrenko and John Conley), manage the lunch and snack table (Glenn and Kathy Hartmann), and take photographs (Luc Schoonjans). Thank you to all!
Poster Placement
Volunteer Merrilyn Carpenter graciously traveled beyond the city limits to post WA360 posters. Thank you so much!
Storage Space—organized!
The Kids’ Cove tent at the Wooden Boat Festival requires a LOT of equipment and supplies as hundreds of children of all ages create Gyotaku (fish printing) masterpieces and wooden toy sailboats that actually sail. Volunteers Merrilyn Carpenter and Patti Rowdabaugh spent some time in one of our storage units organizing those supplies this month. Thank you!
Ongoing Volunteers
We are ever grateful for the volunteers who commit to an ongoing role with NWM!
Welcome Center volunteers this past month included Sandra Baughman, Dick Benesch, Susan Camp, Tim Cullen, Mari Friend, Myron Gauger, Alice King, Susan Kutsch, Suzanne Murray, and Anna Shaffer—thank you! Visitor numbers are picking up as the weather gets warmer; we are so grateful for your help.
Grateful to Front Desk Volunteers Anne Cameron and to Pat Keaty, who has just signed on to the role!
The Boatshop received volunteer assistance from Walt Crinean, David Oddo, Tim Rohrer, and John Quinn this month.