March 2016 Newsletter: Annual Member Survey
Engaging with Foundation members is pretty much my favorite thing in the world. Lucky for me, every darn bit of this month's newsletter is about connecting with members!
First, it's time for our annual member survey. We pay close attention to what matters to our members. Please complete the survey so we can keep making member-centric decisions! Next, we hear from the terrific Luann Algoso in the Member Profile. Third, we put out an APB for listening tour volunteers (please sign up!) And finally, we're launching our social media contest to name our RV tour bus. We need a name by March 31 and I trust you all to come up with the perfect one. Read on for all the details!
It's all members, all the time this month. So big thanks to all the fantastic members who make our work possible.
Warmly,
Emily Evans
Executive Director, Women’s Foundation of Oregon
FOUNDATION UPDATES
INVESTMENT UPDATE
It's time for all foundation members to let us know what matters to them. Our members influence everything the Foundation does -- from giving areas to special events to newsletter content! Make sure your voice is heard by completing the survey by March 31.
If you're not yet a member, join by the end of March to participate in this year's survey!
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Meet Luann Algoso: fierce feminist, activist, and proud Women’s Foundation member living in Portland.
Name: Luann Algoso
Age: 28
Occupation: Community Engagement Manager at the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO)
Member of the Women's Foundation since: 2014
What’s your favorite spot in Oregon?
Powells Books! I can spend hours there and often get lost in the poetry section.
What quality do you most admire in others?
Honesty I admire when folks can be brutally honest and vulnerable. I work in social justice spaces, both in my day job and in community work, and it's refreshing when folks can bring their whole selves into their work, unapologetically.
Which talent would you most like to have?
Off-the-cuff public speaking! I am shy and introverted by nature, but find myself doing a lot of public speaking engagements due to the work I do. I'm better at articulating myself when I am able to prep in advance, so I wish I was better at speaking at a moment's notice.
What was your first volunteer experience?
My first time volunteering was my junior year of high school when I supported voter registration efforts and helped coordinate the casting of ballots in my district.
What’s the best place to eat in our great state?
I absolutely love the many noodle places in East Portland, particularly the Vietnamese noodle restaurants. I eat at Teo: Bun Bo Hue and Ha VL, sometimes once a week...each!
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I think I still have a ton of things that I'm working towards in my career and personal life, but so far graduating from college has been a big accomplishment in my life. Completing school was challenging. I'm a first generation college student so access to support and resources was difficult to navigate for my parents. I come from a working class background therefore my family was unable to send me to school, and it took me much longer to graduate because I had to work multiple jobs just to afford the difference in tuition after financial aid. But my passion for school enlightened me to other passions I have in my life particularly around social justice, feminism, community organizing and activism. I loved school so much that I continued on to receive a Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution at Portland State University. I graduated in 2015 with the thesis titled, Comedy as a Platform for Marginalized Voices: Asian American Women and the Disoriented Comedy Showcase.
Which woman (living or dead) do you most admire?
I'm a huge fan of bell hooks. I read her book All About Love whenever I'm in need of self-care. I love her feminist scholarship and that her work, although taught in academia, is accessible for all audiences. I also learned about intersectional feminism (specifically how race, capitalism, and gender intersect) through her writings.
What’s your most treasured possession?
All of my journals. I've been journaling since I was in second grade (imagine the deep thoughts a 7 or 8 year-old me!), and I have a set of volumes of all of the journals I've written in since then.
What is your personal motto?
"Let me live, love, and say it well in good sentences." -- Sylvia Plath
What’s your idea of perfect happiness?
Giving back to my community, seeing love and passion in others, falling in love with art and cultural work, and my corgi puppy Atticus.
What makes you laugh uncontrollably?
All viral youtube videos that have puppies and kittens!
Why are you a member of the Women’s Foundation?
I like knowing that the money, time, and resources I am putting into Women's Foundation of Oregon will be supporting organizations that are helping women and girls in Oregon thrive. Philanthropy, historically, is seen as a hobby amongst white liberal women, however I love that the Foundation strives to make philanthropy accessible for all women to participate, no matter how much they can contribute financially.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Volunteer at an Upcoming Listening Tour Stop!
We need at least 10 volunteers to help out at each of our Listening Tour stops to make sure things run smoothly. Volunteers can choose from all kinds of great jobs -- from welcoming attendees to working the storytelling booth to restocking the refreshment table!
We can't do it without your help, so please visit our volunteer sign-up page to help out.
Refreshments, childcare, and Spanish translation services available at all stops. We'd especially love help from Spanish speakers at our Washington County stop!
Email rachel@w-for.org
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Community Events
Our Listen To Her tour stops -- please join us or volunteer!
March 31: Downtown Portland, Portland State University - Student Union Ballroom, 5:30-7:30pm
April 5: Newport, Samaritan Center for Health Education, 7:00-8:30pm
April 6: Bend, Central Oregon Community College - Coats Campus Center, 7:00-8:30pm
April 12: Salem, Chemeketa Community College, 6:00-7:30pm
April 14: Medford, Rogue Community College/Southern Oregon University - Higher Education Center, Room 132, 5:30-7:00pm
April 16: Eugene, South Eugene High School - Cafeteria, 10:00-11:30am
April 20: Forest Grove - Spanish language only, Centro Cultural, 6:00-7:30pm
April 23: North Portland, Portland Community College - Cascade Campus, MAHB 104, 12:30-2:00pm
April 26: Umatilla Reservation, Longhouse Annex, 6:00-7:30pm
April 27: Pendleton, Blue Mountain Community College - Science & Tech Bldg, Room 200, 5:30-7:00pm
April 28: Ontario, Four Rivers Cultural Center, 7:00-8:30pm
May 2: Burns, Harney County Chamber of Commerce, 5:30-7:00pm
April 6: VOICES Lectures: Inspiring, Connecting and Empowering Women, Portland
Hear from twenty-one-year-old human rights activist and North Korean defector Yeonmi Park.
April: PSU's Culture and Conversation, Portland and Eugene
A month-long series of events designed to spark campus and community dialogue around identity, equity, and community.
May 14: Women in Trades Career Fair, Portland
May 23: Women's Foundation of Oregon Annual Celebration, Portland
May 28: PDX Red Party, Portland
Celebrate World Menstrual Hygiene Day in Portland to raise awareness.
Save the Date! September 21: Women's Foundation of Oregon Report Party
If you would like your event added to our calendar, please email info@w-for.org
Oregon News to Know
Why Oregon Women Need Radical Reform at Home and at Work, Portland Monthly
Lynn Nakamoto, Justice for All, Portland Tribune
Oregon House OK's Bill to Close Background Check Loophole, Bend Bulletin
Age When American Women Have Children, The New York Times
Portland...worst place in the US for Women in Technology, Willamette Week
Social Media
#NAMETHERV
As we embark around the state for #ListenToHer in Emily's Gram's 1987 Southwind, we're going to need something to yell, when you know, it's time to go: "Everybody get in _________! We're off to Pendleton!" Join the contest and help us find a name for this beauty. Just post on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with your idea and the hashtag#NameTheRV and tag the Women's Foundation! The winner will get a Listen to Her t-shirt and other great Foundation swag. We will announce the winner on March 31 at our first stop in Downtown Portland.
Membership Matters
Your support makes all this exciting work possible. If you joined the Foundation last spring, be on the lookout for your renewal letter in the mail on your 1-year anniversary as a member. We can't wait to have you with us for 2016!
If you have any questions regarding your membership please contact
membership@w-for.org and we'll be happy to help.
If you're not yet a member, join us by clicking here!