Interested in joining us and becoming a guide?
Application Process: Your first step is to contact us at UTGinformation@gmail.com and simply state your interest in joining us and tell us a little about yourself.
New Member Symposium: You will be invited to the annual New Member Symposium in October. At this meeting, you will learn more about UTG. Also, you will be interviewed so that we can learn more about you.
Training: Prospective guides train on Thursday mornings in January and February at different city locations. Although training covers all three tours, guides are only required to specialize in one. Mentors are provided to help prepare guides for the tour of their choice. (Note: Due to changing demands, more guides may be needed on particular tours.)
Social Events: To build community and to educate ourselves, we hold several optional social events, including a fall and spring trip, a Holiday Luncheon and Auction, and a spring party.
Expectations
Dues: $55 per year and are collected each September. Our dues help to pay for meeting venues, guest speakers, promotional materials, and to assist qualifying schools with transportation expenses on tour days.
Touring Commitment: Guides are expected to lead at least two tours each month during both the fall season (October, November, December) and the spring season (March, April, May, June). Guides lead groups of six to eight students on each two-hour tour and are accompanied by at least one school-provided chaperone.
Committee work: Each member is required to serve on at least one committee and/or on the Board of Directors.
Monthly meetings: Though not required, attendance is highly encouraged. Typically, General Meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month during the school year, and feature both business updates and guest speakers. We meet at different historic locations around the metro area. Our speakers are often civic leaders, historians, authors, or business professionals who offer engaging insights into Portland’s history from many viewpoints. Attendees may opt to enjoy a catered lunch together following each meeting.