Prompt: Two Write Around Portland Community Workshops

A weekly seminar devoted to generative writing and the transformative power of writing in community. Based on the successful Write Around Portland model, this dynamic workshop incorporates many of our favorite exercises designed to inspire the writing life, including free-writing; group discussion; imagery, character, plot and poetry development; and early-draft revision. Group-members will have an opportunity to read their work at a local reading to cap the course.

Prompt One: Meets weekly for 10 weeks February 24 – April 28 Tuesdays 6:30-8:30 Powell’s Books, Burnside Facilitated by: Kevin Fann $285 (Includes free parking, snacks and access to the “bowels of Powells.” Payment plans available.)

Think & Drink with John Frohnmayer A happy hour conversation series sponsored by the Oregon Council for the Humanities Wednesday, February 11, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. rontoms, 600 E. Burnside, Portland Free and open to the public

John Frohnmayer, former chair of the National Endowment for the Arts and independent Senate candidate in 2008, will lead a discussion on corporate citizenship and how it jeopardizes democracy at the next Think & Drink, a happy hour conversation series that this season looks at consumer culture.

Please join the Oregon Council for the Humanities (OCH) for Think & Drink with John Frohnmayer, on Wednesday, February 11, 2009, at 6:30 at rontoms, 600 E. Burnside, Portland.

The Social Innovation Forum provides a facilitated, empowering time and space for proactive community members to unite, learn, gain inspiration, and create innovative strategies that address social and environmental problems in Portland neighborhoods. This month, the forum turns its focus to “caring.” Speakers, including Charles Lewis of Ethos Music and Amy Sacks of the Pixie Project, represent successful social entrepreneurs and people in the community who are leading community change; Workshops will review innovative trends in elevating the value of caring and how to apply these trends to your work and passion.

The Real Wealth of Portland: Supporting a More Caring Economy Making the invisible economy visible; Moving to an economy that fosters social & economic justice, and peace.

Monday February 16, 7-9pm with social time to follow.

The Buchan Meeting Room, First Unitarian Church 1011 SW 12th Ave. Enter through alleyway on 12th.

Sustainable Energy

What is it?

How do we convert to it?

What local initiatives are there?

Our choices impact the community as well as the environment. Shifting from extraction-consumption-depletion to preservation-conservation with development and support for natural energy alternatives is an important aspect of the Real Wealth of Portland.

Topics will include presentations from:

Portland YouthBuilders Job Announcement Immediate Opening

Position Title: Advocate Department: Student Services

Portland YouthBuilders is a two-year youth development program dedicated to assisting young adults, ages 17-24, complete their high school or GED education, develop job readiness skills, and position themselves for further education or entry level employment in a career field of their choice. The Student Services Team (working in conjunction with the Academic, Construction, and Computer Technology teams) provides individual and group counseling, interpersonal skill building, and case management to students as they work to define and achieve their educational and vocational goals.

Qualifying Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Bilingual Russian Community Outreach Intern

Duration:                  200 hours to be completed February-July 2009

                                    6-10 hours/week, over 1-2 days/week in office/community

Compensation:       $10-12/hr DOE

The Bilingual Community Outreach Intern is a contract position and thus will be responsible for her/his own taxes

About the Josiah Hill Clinic:

Hands On Greater Portland is a nonprofit that connects community members with volunteer opportunities throughout Multnomah and Washington Counties. Thanks to President Obama’s call to service, volunteering with family and friends has become increasingly popular. Hands On is looking to increase the number of volunteer projects available for families to participate in together. Hands On is looking for volunteer projects that are:

• 1.5 – 2 hours in length

• Designed for groups of parents and young children (or families) to do together

• Appropriate for volunteers with a variety of abilities

• Fun!

Nonprofits, What Do You Need, Given This Economy?

The Institute for Nonprofit Management/Public Administration Division of the Hatfield School of Government and Portland State University Extended Campus are pleased to announce the launch of the online Volunteer Engagement and Leadership Program (VELP-1).

We have extended the deadline to register for the two-day Social Justice Theater Workshop.  Last chance to register is Thursday, February 12th!

TheaterChange * TeatroCambioSocial Justice Theater Workshop Winter Intensive: Image and Forum Theater  February 21-22, 2009

Our hands-on classes help you learn new gardening skills to apply in your backyard or community garden. Classes take place in Tilth’s demonstration garden at historic Luscher Farm, just outside of Portland. All classes require registration.

For more information visit www.tilth.org

Let’s Get Growing! Thursday, March 19, 6:00-8:00pm

Healthy, living soil is the foundation of a productive garden. Learn how to build your soil and get your garden growing this spring. This class covers tips for enhancing soil life using bed preparation techniques and amending your soil organically for optimum fertility. To help maximize your bounty, garden planning and season extension methods are also presented. $28/ $25 Lake Oswego residents & Tilth members.

Want to work with Molalla youth?

At the Molalla Police Activities Youth Center you can help with homework and studying, and lead recreational and educational activities.

Hours can be flexible. We are open Monday thru Friday from 2:30-7:00. All volunteers must be 16 years of age or older and pass a criminal background check.

Questions? Contact Volunteer Coordinator Amy Lodholz at 503-759-3300 or at [email protected].

Growing Gardens will provide thousands of healthy plant starts free of charge to low-income gardeners enrolled in our programs this year. This is made possible by donations of seeds, potting soil, growers and event volunteers.

What we still need: 4" pots/containers for starts

Do you have a ton of 4" square starting containers lying around your home or workplace? We could use them! Please let me know if you are willing to drop them by our office in NE.

Call Emily at 503-284-8420 or email [email protected] for directions.

Thanks so much, -Emily Gowen Growing Gardens Home Garden Coordinator

P.S. See our monthly email and website wishlist for current volunteer opportunities and supply needs.