Volunteer Guide
Volunteer Opportunities at Cedarwood
Being an active volunteer strengthens our community, fosters joy in our work efforts, and creates opportunities for connection. By giving your time and talent at Cedarwood, you help to model community engagement for all our children. Whether you feel called to make a larger commitment or contribute just an hour from time to time, there are ways for everyone to engage. We welcome all volunteers to contribute in ways that are meaningful and fulfilling for them, according to their capacity.
To ensure the safety of our students, all volunteers are required to provide a signed background check form. You will need to deliver the background check form to Maria José Cordero in the front office. Please submit your form a minimum of 30 days prior to your volunteer date to allow for processing. The forms are sent to the Oregon Department of Education for verification and Cedarwood has no influence over the timing of this process.
Volunteer opportunities described in this guide are organized into the following categories:
Parent Council is now “Community Collective”
Since Cedarwood’s founding, parents have been at the heart of our school’s life—bringing ideas, organizing events, and strengthening the connections that make our community thrive. Since our school’s inception, our children have been cared for by a rich and diverse circle that extends beyond parents alone. Grandparents, guardians, caregivers, family friends, and relatives all play a vital role in supporting our students and contributing to our shared life together.
In recognition of this broader reality—and with the intention of fostering a spirit of belonging for all—this group has changed its name from Parent Council to Community Collective. The shift, officially adopted this past summer after many collaborative conversations, reflects our commitment to inclusivity and the welcoming environment this group strives to create.
Each class either self-selects two representatives or, in the case of Early Childhood classes, may be identified by a class teacher, to attend monthly Community Collective meetings. These meetings are typically the second Monday of every month from 6:00-7:30 on site, at school, and are open to all. There is a minute taker and a time keeper for efficiency purposes. Minutes are shared with class reps and then distributed to their respective classes. A class rep serves as a liaison between the Community Collective and their classes, delivering information to classes and bringing relevant issues/concerns/questions from classes for discussion at Community Collective meetings. Collaboration and good communication are encouraged!
The content of meetings is meant to be both informative and community-building, with common topics including upcoming school festivals and events, Waldorf ‘101’ topics, and general goings-on of the different grades and Early Childhood. Again, ALL are welcome and encouraged to attend; attendance builds familiarity of faces and roles and helps everyone keep their finger on the pulse of what’s going on at Cedarwood.
To participate in the Community Collective, visit the Community Collective web page for more information.
Board of Trustees
Those interested in policy and strategic planning may be interested in joining the Cedarwood Board of Trustees. See the board page for more information. The board offers additional volunteer opportunities serving on their Finance, Development, Enrollment, and Facilities Committees.
To inquire about being a part of the Board of Trustees, please reach out to Joseph Doucette at jdoucette@cedarwoodschool.org.
Social Life, Festivals, & Community Events
Stewardship Committee and Hearth Tenders
This committee and the Hearth Tenders are of crucial importance to daily life at Cedarwood. Volunteers enhance and care for our building and the community, and manage services such as the library, costume room, and lost and found. The majority of the work is done independently, making this a great committee for those who want to be connected but have busier, less flexible schedules.
Specifically, the good work of these groups is to:
- Keep the kitchen clean and useful.
- Ensure the library is well organized and continue to develop a book wish list.
- Help with small woodworking or building enhancement projects.
- Add flowers to the gardens.
- Keep the costume room and lost-and-found tidy and well-organized.
- Prepare a meal for a family in the community welcoming a new baby or healing from an injury or other life event.
- Welcome new families to the community throughout the academic year.
Outreach Volunteers
Our community relies on volunteers to help support enrollment and development through outreach. Here are some of the ways in which volunteers can actively contribute to this important work by fulfilling the responsibilities outlined below.
Outreach Volunteers
- Help set up and guide guest tours of Cedarwood at outreach events.
- Call admitted families with a personal welcome.
- Serve as a welcoming family to new community members.
- Write thank-you cards to families they met and invite them to learn more about Cedarwood.
- Guide prospective and Cedarwood families through the Journey Through the Grades event hosted by faculty.
Grandparents and Special Friends Day Volunteers
- Welcome our grandparents and special friends of our children that are experiencing a morning at our school.
- Prepare, set up, and clean up coffee and nibbles for our guests.
- Write thank-you notes to the grandparents and special friends who attended.
To volunteer or assist with outreach, please email Antonella Focarino at afocarino@cedarwoodschool.org
Working closely with the board Development Committee and development/outreach admin staff, Development Volunteers help support financial giving to the school.
- Support coffee-cart operations for Coffee in the Courtyard
- Assist in the Annual Appeal receptions and events
- Organize the end-of-appeal parties
- Write thank-you notes to community members they personally engaged with during the Annual Appeal and the Auction
- Help to procure Auction donations and organize the event
To volunteer to assist with development at Cedarwood, please email Meredith Floyd-Preston at mfloydpreston@cedarwoodschool.org.
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