Fostering Fulfillment: Introducing Abby Morris, the New SERV-OR Volunteer Manager | article by Mark Schorr

 Abby Morris’s tone grows even more animated as she describes how she was first drawn to working with volunteers. “I was about nine years old when my dad started a Special Olympics swim team. I had been swimming competitively since I was six and was so excited to get into the water and help the athletes. My father decided to start the team because my sister is neurodivergent, and many young people in our community with disabilities didn’t have an accepting, inclusive space to compete. I saw how satisfying it is to set something up, to organize and coordinate, to help people, and get fulfillment without getting paid.”

Later, Abby continued along the volunteer path with AmeriCorps, supporting the Schools Uniting Neighborhoods (SUN) Program at Reynolds Middle School in Fairview, Oregon. After her year of service with AmeriCorps, she began working at non-profits, always drawn to the volunteer component, but usually able to only have that be just a part of her job responsibilities.

Her first full-time volunteer coordinator position came just before the COVID-19 pandemic started, joining Lift Urban Portland, whose mission is to reduce hunger and improve the lives of low-income residents in Northwest and Downtown Portland.  From there, she transitioned to becoming the Regional Medical Reserve Corps Program Specialist, a volunteer coordinator position for the tri-county area Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) for Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties.

After three and a half years with the MRC, in November 2025, she started as the new SERV-OR Volunteer Manager and MRC State Coordinator for the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), responsible for supporting volunteers statewide and enhancing community emergency response efforts.

Abby values the vital role volunteers play, filling in gaps when there is a lack of resources, and difficulties with providing essential services to those in need, whether people are struggling with socio-economic challenges or in the aftermath of a disaster.

Moving forward, she recognizes and is looking forward to the challenges in her new role that she describes as “the puzzle of programs, people and policy.” High on her list is implementing Senate Bill 837, which will allow non-licensed healthcare, administrative, and logistical personnel to be a part of SERV-OR. This can include, for example, a certified medical assistant or safety professional who has an expertise but is not licensed by the state of Oregon. She is looking forward to developing a program that will ensure quality, safety, and volunteer fulfillment. 

Abby stresses the importance of fulfillment, acknowledging that for volunteers, not held in place by a paycheck, this is essential. She encourages volunteers to tap back into what led them to commit initially, to recognize how important their service is, and “to reconnect with their drive.”

Abby, who has a master’s degree from Portland State University in conflict resolution and is credentialed as a Certified Volunteer Administrator (CVA), clearly finds her work very satisfying. Outside of work, she recharges by exploring Portland, the Columbia Gorge, and the Oregon Coast. Bringing her great joy is introducing her 20-month-old son to all the beauties and excitement of the state.

Article written by - Mark Schorr is a SERV-OR volunteer and a member of the Bulletin Development Team (BDT).