You Are a Leader
Volunteer Crew Leaders and Assistant Crew Leaders are the backbone of TKO. These volunteer rockstars are involved in everything we do, from project scouting to hosting trail parties around the state. When we see trails that need our support, the first question we ask is “Who will take the lead and champion this project?”
If you want to see more volunteers caring for more trails across Oregon, then Volunteer Crew Leadership is for you!
Becoming a Crew Leader
Becoming a Crew Leader is a personal and individual journey, and this page is a great place to start. Here you’ll find more information about what it takes to become an Assistant Crew Leader/Crew Leader with TKO, resources for your journey, and info about how to register for training opportunities.
We are here to support you! If you have any questions during your exploration, please reach out to our team at volunteers@trailkeepersoforegon.org.
What is the role of Volunteer Crew Leaders and Assistant Crew Leaders?
The priorities of a TKO volunteer evolve when they become a Volunteer Crew Leader, shifting from learning and applying trail skills yourself, to helping other volunteers enjoy themselves and achieve the best quality of service possible. At TKO, we have two types of volunteer leaders: Crew Leaders (CLs or “yellow hats”) and Assistant Crew Leaders (ACLs or “orange hats”), each responsible for critical aspects of creating and hosting the best volunteer experiences possible.
ACLs are an integral part of any trail party. Their function is to prop up the Crew Leader by teaching and assisting volunteers and creating a safe, welcoming environment. To this end, ACLs brief volunteers on proper tool use, teach trail skills and direct volunteer efforts on the trail, and strive to cultivate a positive and inclusive atmosphere for volunteers of all backgrounds/abilities. ACLs have fewer required trainings and less responsibilities than CLs.
CLs are at the heart of creating safe, fun, and meaningful trail parties for volunteers. Working closely with TKO staff and Land Manager partners, they are responsible for seeing a trail party from beginning to end: Eventbrite event creation to thank you emails for volunteer participants and data submission and everything in-between. CLs have more required trainings and greater responsibility than ACLs.
Crew Leader School
So, you’ve got a few trail parties under your hard hat and you’re ready to take the path towards becoming a Crew Leader. Crew Leader School is your next step! This day-long course will cover advanced leadership skills, emergency situations, project planning, and more. These events are required for incoming Volunteer Crew Leaders. Check our calendar for current course availability.
Leadership Lab
Curious to know more about TKO and/or crew leadership? Whether you’re fully committed to taking on a leadership role or you’re curious to get a peak behind the scenes at TKO, Leadership Lab is a great first step! These informational days provide participants with an understanding of TKO leadership culture and the next steps on their volunteer leadership journey. These events are open to everyone, and required for up and coming TKO Volunteer Crew Leaders and Assistant Crew Leaders. Check our calendar for current course availability.
