November PDXTech4Good :: The Future of Tech & Social Good Work in PDX

This November, PDXTech4Good is getting a little political (but remaining unbiased and non-partisan!) and hosting a conversation with mayoral candidate Jefferson Smith to talk about what work the city is doing to support nonprofits, social good businesses, and technology!

Join us for a open discussion and networking event to talk about the future of our mission- and tech-focused work. 

Agenda:

5:30 - Networking and tasty refreshments from Foster & Dobbs! 

6:00 - Facilitated Conversation

6:45 - More networking

Where: Mercy Corps Action Center, 28 SW 1st Avenue

RSVP (not required) on Meetup: http://www.meetup.com/netsquared-13/events/23820051/

Questions: Email Anna at [email protected]

About Jefferson Smith

Jefferson Smith was born and homegrown in Portland, Oregon. After attending Grant High School and the University of Oregon, Jefferson graduated from Harvard Law School. He left a high-paying corporate firm in New York to avoid defending big tobacco and to return home to Portland.

He became a nonprofit entrepreneur and gathered friends together to start the Oregon Bus Project, which grew into a national model of hands-on democracy for future generations. In the decade since, the Bus Project has developed hundreds of future leaders, registered tens of thousands of new voters, launched national activities in multiple cities across the U.S., won local and national awards, and inspired democracy efforts from Oregon to Colorado and Africa.

In 2008, Jefferson was elected to to succeed Jeff Merkley to represent East Portland in the Oregon House. He successfully worked with citizens, lawmakers and stakeholders to champion common-sense, high-road economic solutions like the landmark water investment program, the “Cool Schools”  jobs program, and the “economic gardening” plan for homegrown Oregon businesses.

His innovative good government work led to Oregon’s online voter registration act as well as the transparency act to share Oregon’s budget with the world. His commitment to challenged neighborhoods like his helped advance one of the State’s first efforts to curb human trafficking.

He has been a cattle-hand in eastern Oregon, run programs for inner-city kids in Washington, DC, coached youth basketball in Eugene, rick-rolled  the Oregon House, and donedozens of cartwheels for good causes. He lives with his wife Katy in East Portland.