By Tracy Thompson, NWM Volunteer Coordinator
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Seeking regional (and local) postering assistance!
We are hoping to get our fabulous WA360 poster posted in places where boaters, paddlers, and interested race fans might see – on the Olympic Peninsula and beyond.
Race Boss Jesse Weigel has compiled a new list of yacht clubs, marinas, marine hardware stores, and other “boaty” places, in Anacortes, Bainbridge Island, Bellingham, Olympia, La Conner, Tacoma, and more!
If you are located beyond the Olympic Peninsula and are available to help, contact Tracy at volunteer@nwmaritime.org.
If you are willing to do some postering in the Port Townsend/Chimacum/Sequim area, reach out, as well!
Safety Support sought for SEVENTY48 and WA360
SEVENTY48 and WA360 are here to celebrate our maritime community and to spread the excitement and joy that comes from engaging with our waterways together! Towards this end, we are seeking volunteers to help us out. Safety Support Volunteers help us out by conducting vessel inspections and also by bringing their own boats to the races to provide on-water coverage. Please go ahead and fill out the Safety Volunteer Application and you will be contacted by the Race Boss to figure out the right place to get involved!
Access the application here.
Handy with computer hardware? Software? IT Volunteer Sought
A busy organization comes with a lot of software programs and a plethora of hardware needs. We are seeking a volunteer to work with Pete Santerre, our Information Technology Manager, on an on-call basis to assist with troubleshooting, updating, and working on software and hardware projects as they arise. Reach out to Tracy at volunteer@nwmaritime.org if you are interested.
Wooden Boat Festival Captain Opportunities
The 48th annual Wooden Boat Festival takes place this year on September 5-7, 2025 and we are seeking volunteers who are ready to step 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. We are currently seeking captains for the following areas:
- 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 Main Gate or Volunteer Check-in; and assist exhibitors & 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.
- Venue Host Captain
Manage and direct the volunteers who support the presenters on our many stages. Direct the welcoming, organization and crowd control for the dozens of presentations that take place during the festival. You’re gracious, organized and detail-oriented!
- Staging Captains
Supplies and equipment, this Festival abounds with stuff! You’ll manage the equipment and supplies and organize it in the staging area before the festival and coordinate its storage after the event.
If you are interested in any of these opportunities, we would love to talk to you! Contact Tracy Thompson at volunteer@wbf.org, or call (360)316-1570.
New Volunteer Information Meetings: First and Third Tuesdays
Upcoming Tuesdays: April 1 and 15 from 12 – 1 PM
Location: Stan Cummings Room – located in the red building (upstairs and to the left, third door on the left)
Are you new to town? Have you been intrigued about how you can get involved with Northwest Maritime?
If you’d like to find out about the many volunteer opportunities available with us, consider attending one of our New Volunteer Information Meetings on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. These one-hour sessions will share details about current opportunities, upcoming event needs, as well as leadership roles at the Wooden Boat Festival. RSVP to volunteer@nwmaritime.org if you would like to attend.
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION
Sold out She Tells Sea Tales event benefited from volunteer support!
It was a busy weekend here at the Northwest Maritime Center on Saturday, March 8 and Sunday, March 9, when we welcomed the 10th anniversary of our She Tells Sea Tales women’s storytelling event with two slates of wonderful returning storytellers.
The tales told included details about pirates, sexism, arm wrestling, and being boarded by the Canadian Coast Guard! Tasty food was offered by women-owned vendors Planted and Wake and Wave Boards, with Betsy Wittick of Bainbridge Vineyards offering wine, and Port Townsend Brewing offering beer.
All of this activity was supported by this incredible roster of volunteers: Julie Arnestad, Susan Camp, Merrilyn Carpenter, Daniel Evans, Kevin Frary, Geoff and Sid Grant, Phil Grate, Glenn and Kathy Hartman, Heather Johnson, Katherine Johnson, Lani Lee, Lynn Maier, Heather Mirczak, Ted Moskal, Mikaela Legarsky, Cathi McDade, Ashley Paterson, Phil Racine, Shelly Rees Randall, Catherine Russell, and Ace Spragg. They helped set up and tear down, poured beer, sold merchandise, took photographs, played music, washed dishes, and more. We couldn’t have done it without them!
Image at top of store features volunteer Carl Berger hung a wonderful display of maritime artwork in the administrative offices.
The Welcome Center’s Ongoing Volunteers
Warm appreciation goes out to our dedicated Welcome Center volunteers: Sandra Baughman, Dick Benesch, Susan Camp, Timothy Cullen, Alice King, Susan Kutsch, Anna Shaffer have all supported the Welcome Center Staff with sales and interpretation assistance. Stop in and say hi if you haven’t been in for a while.
New Boatshop Volunteer
Volunteer David Oddo answered the call to assist Program Operations Coordinator Galen Piehl in the Boatshop and he is doing a fantastic job! David has even been commuting from Whidbey Island to help in the Boatshop–we appreciate his hard work and dedication. Thanks also to volunteers Carol McCreary, John Quinn, and Reid Sigmond for volunteering in the Boatshop.
Posters!
Blustery weather at the end of February did not deter volunteer Jeanette Wagner from putting up She Tells Sea Tales posters in the Tri-Area. Much appreciated, Jeanette!
Beautifying the Office Walls with Art
COO Katie Oman shares this appreciation: HUGE HUGE kudos and gratitude to volunteer Carl Berger, who has single-handedly liberated all our framed artwork, posters, and other ephemera from its storage-closet purgatory, has repaired frames and glass, has worked with staff to place items in offices, and has really helped make the administration area look finished, professional, and cozy. THANK YOU CARL!!