Why Volunteer?

Volunteering not only helps the chapter, it also gives you the opportunity to learn along the way. You will meet other experienced chapter members and by watching dogs in the field you can pick up valuable observations about dog behavior and tips on handling skills. You will create friendships with fellow members that could lead to training partnerships for years to come. If you come to our tests, you will hear the judges read the scores and hopefully have a better understand of NAVHDA judging criteria.

The Willamette Valley Chapter is a non-profit, volunteer organization. The Chapter’s officers, the training coordinator, judges, gunners, bird planters, etc., are all volunteers who offer their time and knowledge to help train versatile dog owners in developing their dog’s hunting abilities. Nothing we do can take place without the help of our members and volunteers. We encourage all chapter members to volunteer in some capacity at any training or test events to help our Chapter run successfully.

No experience is necessary. If you want to volunteer, please contact Howard at (541) 752-2098.

Volunteer positions for training days:

• Bird Planters - Responsible for transporting birds to the site if needed, transport to field locations, planting, and care of the birds.  This is vital to successful and efficient operation.
  
  
• Field Marshal - Responsible for balancing members between stations and keeping the event on schedule.
  
  
• Station Leaders/Assistants - Responsible for leading station exercises, short lectures, and working 1:1 with you and your dog.  We would like to pair those interested in becoming station leaders with our current leaders.
  
  
• Gunners - This is on a need basis for advanced training typically later in the training season.  You will need to be a member of NAVHDA and the chapter in good standing.  Please familiarize yourself with the AIM's book as you will be expected to know the AIM's requirements for gunning.
  
  
• Check In Table - Responsible for checking members and guests in, ensuring relevant waivers have been signed, answering general questions and collecting any outstanding payments.
  
  
• General clean up - There can never be enough helpers!  This ensures everyone gets to leave in a timely manner.

Volunteer positions for a test:

• Field Marshal - Responsible for ensuring that all pertinent equipment is on site and set up, birds have arrived, judges are on site, volunteers positions are staffed, and ushering handlers through out the day.
  
  
• Judge Host - Responsible for tending to the needs of the judges by providing refreshments, beverages, and other items to keep the test running efficiently.
  
  
• Bird Planters - Responsible for transporting birds to the site if needed, transport to field locations, planting, and care of the birds.  This is vital to successful and efficient operation.
  
  
• Gunners - Field will need 1 distraction gunner for NAT and 2 for UPT/UT work.  Water, no requirement for NAT, but will need 1 distraction gunner for UPT/UT work.  You will need to be a member of NAVHDA and the chapter in good standing.  Please familiarize yourself with the AIM's book as you will be expected to know the AIM's requirements for gunning.  Only experienced hunters/gunners will be accepted that have proven safety above all else with an understanding of how to help the handler during the test.
  
  
• Bird Tender (Care taker) - Similar responsibilities to the bird planters, but will be focused on the well being of the birds and ensuring birds out of the field are taken care of appropriately by separating recovered birds from fresh birds and field dressing as appropriate.
  
  
• Photographer - If someone has a love of photography and would like to shoot the test, it would be welcomed!
  
  
• Check In Table - Responsible for checking test entrants and guests in, ensuring relevant waivers have been signed, answering general questions and collecting any outstanding payments.
  
  
• Food Prep - Responsible for preparing lunch for judges, helpers and those wishing to purchase lunch.  You maybe asked to support dinners if other arrangements (catering or restaurants) has not been planned.
  
  
• General clean up - There can never be enough helpers!  This ensures everyone gets to leave in a timely manner.