The Society is open to all who wish to live their faith by loving and serving their neighbor. It has always been a grassroots organization, using volunteers organized by local Catholic parishes who provide service to their community. These small, geographically-based groups are called Conferences. With a staff of 10, and a volunteer Board of 12, the Portland Council serves Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, Clatsop and Columbia counties through a network of 2,200 volunteers from 46 Conferences.
The Conference is the basic and essential grouping of St. Vincent de Paul. Each Conference, because of its Vincentian commitment, engages regularly in the person-to-person service of those in need. The persons to be helped and the works to be performed are determined by the Conference itself. Conference services are provided without monetary compensation to the members. Help is not limited to material need and includes all activities that strengthen and nurture the human spirit.