The ambassador program was created with the concept of allowing our membership better access to the Executive Board for questions or to bring issues to our attention. Since it’s inception it has grown into a group of dedicated individuals who attend board meetings and weigh in on discussions. We have strived to have ambassadors located through out the state in a regional approach and while this is not always possible, the OVFA wants to encourage anyone willing to participate to apply. Being an ambassador can be a stepping-stone to becoming a Executive Board member by leaning what it takes to represent over 8,300 volunteer fire and EMS personnel through out our state. It also has special benefits associated with it. As an Ambassador, you are given clothing to identify your role, travel and lodging reimbursement as defined in the OVFA Policies and Procedures manual, and registration reduction and waivers to OVFA training and special events. We offer training and in-services on a as needed basis to educate you on presentation methods, how to address questions and to explain the mission of the OVFA. You are our ears out there to help us better “Represent Those Who Volunteer”

GoalsGoals

•To promote the OVFA To promote the OVFA organizationorganization•To increase membershipTo increase membership•To raise the awareness of our To raise the awareness of our organization to the State of organization to the State of OregonOregon

Eligibility Eligibility RequirementsRequirements•Complete an application and present Complete an application and present it to the OVFA Executive Boardit to the OVFA Executive Board•Confirmation of current membership Confirmation of current membership and support from your Chief or and support from your Chief or designee.designee.•Attend at least 1 board meeting a Attend at least 1 board meeting a yearyear•Willing to contact 2 Willing to contact 2 departments/agencies per month departments/agencies per month and be able to travel to meetings , and be able to travel to meetings , drills, or special events to achieve drills, or special events to achieve this goal.this goal.

Guidelines GuidelinesGuidelines

•Spread the mission of the OVFA “To service, Protect Spread the mission of the OVFA “To service, Protect and Promote the interests of Oregon’s Volunteer and and Promote the interests of Oregon’s Volunteer and EMS providers”EMS providers”•Learn the history of the OVFALearn the history of the OVFA•Be aware of the future goals of the OVFABe aware of the future goals of the OVFA•Act as an information resource to our membersAct as an information resource to our members•Act as a liaison between our members and the Act as a liaison between our members and the Executive BoardExecutive Board•Keep members informed of all the issues that the Keep members informed of all the issues that the OVFA is involved inOVFA is involved in•Listen to concerns and bring them before the boardListen to concerns and bring them before the board• be dressed in appropriate attire (black pants and an be dressed in appropriate attire (black pants and an OVFA insignia shirt)OVFA insignia shirt)

TermTerm

•An Ambassadors term is one year as An Ambassadors term is one year as appointed by the President, a appointed by the President, a candidate may serve as many terms candidate may serve as many terms as deemed necessary by the president as deemed necessary by the president or candidate.or candidate.

Duties of the AmbassadorDuties of the Ambassador• be a spokes person for the OVFA be a spokes person for the OVFA through department visits and through department visits and

correspondencecorrespondence • serve as a direct contact with OVFA serve as a direct contact with OVFA members and other allied associations members and other allied associations • recruit new members and or recruit new members and or ambassadors ambassadors •Communicate with other Communicate with other ambassadorsambassadors•Assist at identified OVFA functions Assist at identified OVFA functions and conferences and conferences • make public presentations when make public presentations when called to do so (you should know the called to do so (you should know the Mission & history of the OVFA ,explain Mission & history of the OVFA ,explain current befits and projects, describe current befits and projects, describe the Goals of OFVA and give updates on the Goals of OFVA and give updates on legislative issues.legislative issues.

GuidelinesGuidelinesAmbassadors are representatives of the OVFA. As such, it is Ambassadors are representatives of the OVFA. As such, it is important to maintain a professional appearance and demeanor.important to maintain a professional appearance and demeanor.Attire:When possible dark pants (slacks/jeans) and an official Attire:When possible dark pants (slacks/jeans) and an official OVFA shirt should be worn.OVFA shirt should be worn.Public Presentations:Public Presentations:• • Be adequately prepared, you may be asked to speak in front of Be adequately prepared, you may be asked to speak in front of groups on behalf of OVFA.groups on behalf of OVFA.Some main areas to focus on in preparation are listed below. Some main areas to focus on in preparation are listed below. Tailor it to meet your style:Tailor it to meet your style:• Know the Mission and History of the OVFAKnow the Mission and History of the OVFA• Explain current benefits of OVFA MembershipExplain current benefits of OVFA Membership• Describe the goals of the OVFADescribe the goals of the OVFA• Pass on information regarding legislative issues and emergency Pass on information regarding legislative issues and emergency servicesservicesAn Ambassador does not have the authority to make An Ambassador does not have the authority to make commitments on behalf of the OVFAExecutive Board.commitments on behalf of the OVFAExecutive Board.At times you may be asked questions to which you do not have At times you may be asked questions to which you do not have answers. Be honest, tell the person you don’t know, but will answers. Be honest, tell the person you don’t know, but will speak to the appropriate Executive Board Member and get backspeak to the appropriate Executive Board Member and get backthem within a specified timeline.them within a specified timeline.

BenefitsBenefits•OVFA clothing with insigniaOVFA clothing with insignia•½ off conference registration ½ off conference registration •Conference registration waived Conference registration waived for you if enough points have been for you if enough points have been accrued accrued

•Opportunity to travel around Opportunity to travel around the the state and visit different state and visit different departmentsdepartments

• travel expenses reimbursedtravel expenses reimbursed

•Upon completion of the Upon completion of the Ambassador Ambassador workshop/orientation receive: workshop/orientation receive: OVFA Collar shirt, t-shirt, hat, OVFA Collar shirt, t-shirt, hat, sweatshirt and name badgessweatshirt and name badges

•Future Opportunity to serve on the Future Opportunity to serve on the Executive BoardExecutive Board

Last but not least the Last but not least the opportunity to serve and opportunity to serve and represent our state’s represent our state’s Volunteer FirefightersVolunteer Firefighters

Ambassador Chain of CommandAmbassador Chain of Command

The OVFA Executive Board:The OVFA Executive Board:

President: Steve SchneidermanPresident: Steve Schneiderman

Vice President: Tina GreinerVice President: Tina Greiner

22ndnd Vice: Dave Butler Vice: Dave Butler

Secretary/Treasurer: Toby WilsonSecretary/Treasurer: Toby Wilson

22ndnd Director: Scott Mullen Director: Scott Mullen

11stst Director: Nic Granum Director: Nic Granum

Past President: Jim OederPast President: Jim Oeder

Regional AmbassadorRegional Ambassador•Regional Ambassadors coordinate the Regional Ambassadors coordinate the Ambassador Program within an assigned Ambassador Program within an assigned regionregion• communicate information between the communicate information between the OVFA Executive Board and the ambassadors OVFA Executive Board and the ambassadors in their regionin their region• provide quarterly reports to the board of provide quarterly reports to the board of current status and activities of the current status and activities of the AmbassadorsAmbassadors• assist in regional planning for Ambassador assist in regional planning for Ambassador visitsvisits• Assist Ambassadors with tracking member Assist Ambassadors with tracking member departments in their regiondepartments in their region• attend at least one department meeting per attend at least one department meeting per monthmonth•Submit a quarterly report to area coordinator Submit a quarterly report to area coordinator detailing your visits and concerns brought up detailing your visits and concerns brought up

So become a vital link to the So become a vital link to the Volunteer firefighters of our Volunteer firefighters of our state and become an state and become an Ambassador for the Oregon Ambassador for the Oregon Volunteer Firefighters Volunteer Firefighters Association today. Association today.