Environmental Federation of Oregon

Due to the impacts of farming, development and roads, the Willamette River today flows through only a small portion of its historic floodplain. With the aim of changing things back for the better, the Corvallis Environmental Center (CEC) has joined forces with researchers at Oregon State University (OSU), the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), and Morse Bros. (a gravel mining company in Corvallis) to restore the company's gravel pits for fish and wildlife habitat. CEC will need volunteers to assist in planting native trees and controlling invasive blackberry to increase shade and reduce erosion to help sustain fish and other wildlife. OSU and ODFW will monitor the impacts on fish. Volunteers who want to join in this project can call CEC at (541) 753-9211.

With the new millennium come new opportunities for understanding and mutual cooperation. The Central Oregon Environmental Center (COEC) stepped into this new era with a pledge to move discussion of the environment from a divisive issue to a common value.

Calling its new public outreach effort Earth Year 2000, COEC is collaborating with over 40 organizations to sponsor events and awareness around 12 themes, one per month, throughout the year. Adapted from the national Earth Day 2000 platform, COEC's areas of focus will include harnessing renewable energy sources, protecting human health, limiting population, protecting rivers and curbing consumption.

Did you ever buy a product that was wrapped in so much packaging that you couldn't figure how or what part to recycle? You're not alone. Recycling Advocates (RA) is taking this problem back to the source in a new program called Extended Producer Responsibility. "As it works now, the private sector handles materials while they have value, and the public sector handles the garbage," explains RA board member, Wayne Rifer. "We want to create a chain of responsibility for the costs and environmental impacts of the product, from the beginning to the end of production." Recycling Advocates is co-sponsoring a conference, slated for April in Seattle, where environmental groups, manufacturers, government agencies and public policy experts will discuss the potential and implications of this concept. For more information, contact Recycling Advocates at (503)777-0909.

EFO's 1999 campaign soared to a record-breaking total of $616,300, a 16% increase over 1998. Our heartfelt thanks to all who contributed time and funds to help support EFO's efforts to preserve Oregon's natural heritage.

The theme that seemed to run throughout our 1999 campaign was "spirited commitment." From the PGE executives teaming off for a raucous basketball competition to a PSC Scanning technical recruiter transforming herself into a caring godmother, many workplaces infused creativity and new energy into their 1999 fundraising with great rewards for the environment.

At the end of the campaign season EFO recognizes a few workplaces for outstanding success. "It was tough to choose only three this year," says EFO's campaign director, Sandi Scheinberg. "Many, many workplaces ran superb campaigns, so this year we decided to honor businesses in which the commitment of the top management and campaign coordinators encouraged generosity, goodwill and greater participation among their employees." EFO's 1999 awardees are PGE, Norm Thompson, and Molecular Probes. In this issue of the Update, we'll share the secret behind these campaigns' success, and recount some of the other luminous achievements in workplaces across Oregon that shouldn't go unnoticed.

A week of diverse and light-hearted activities at PGE & Enron inspired 55% of its 3,160 employees to participate, and raised over $33,400 for EFO, an 80% increase from 1998. "We wanted to get away from preaching to the converted," explains Lauren Shapton, a communications analyst who coordinated the campaign. Shapton and her colleague Patrick Stupek began by getting the managers on board. At a managers meeting prior to the campaign, Shapton handed out Cracker Jack boxes asking the managers "to get in the game," and listing specific ways they could help make the campaign a success. Later at a campaign kick-off "breakfast of champions" for managers that featured presentations by EFO and the other federations, 50 of the 150 managers attending made pledges on the spot. By the campaign's end, 80% of the managers had made donations.

Senior managers also agreed to enliven the campaign by participating in a series of games during a lunch hour fair. Urged to "beat the managers at their own game," 300 employees competed in golf putting, basketball shots and a football throw, among other games. To top it all off, PGE added a 50% match to employee donations, bringing EFO's total to a generous $50,098!

Molly Howell, who headed the campaign at Norm Thompson from her post as payroll specialist, also initiated her efforts with a request to the company's top managers. "I wanted 100% support from the management," she explains. "They gave that and more." In an opening campaign letter to all employees from Norm Thompson CEO John Emrick, and president Becky Jewett, the company offered to give a day off to all employees who contributed 60% of their day's wages to the campaign. In addition, the company agreed to match its donation to the level of participation within the company. The challenge worked. Participation for EFO rose to 28% in 1999, up 14% from 1998.

During the official campaign week, Howell focused on publicizing the fund drive and encouraging participation. Monday began with a continental breakfast in the corporate offices, served to employees by senior managers. A similar breakfast was held in the Customer Center on Wednesday. Displays and raffles were set up throughout the week, with the campaign culminating in a gathering Friday that featured presentations by EFO and United Way, along with the final raffle drawing.

Giving to EFO rose to $13,187 in 1999, a 36% percent increase over 1998. Tacked on to this was a $4,000 corporate match.

A Eugene-based company that produces and sells florescent reagent dyes for scientific research, Molecular Probes ran an efficient and streamlined but fun and successful campaign in 1999, proving that some well-directed effort can reap great rewards.

Company co-founder and vice president Dr. Rosaria Haugland took a personal interest in overseeing and supporting the company's charitable drive. "I consider it a privilege that Dick [Rosaria's husband and company president] and I can contribute to the community," she explains. The week-long campaign reflected that commitment, opening with a personal letter from Dr. Haugland to the company's 155 employees that offered a 50% match for all employee donations. Julie Patterson, human resources specialist and campaign coordinator, followed with another letter describing the work of EFO and United Way, and set up displays about each organization in the company's cafeteria. All donors were eligible for raffle prizes.

Dr. Haugland and Molecular Probes comptroller, Kwang Yee Kang, personally distributed pledge cards and a "monster" cookie to every employee. "We thought the 50% matching pledge would stimulate people to give," explains Dr. Haugland, "and, of course, they appreciated the cookie!" Donations jumped from $2,200 in 1998 to slightly over $4,000 in 1999, an 80% increase. With the match, contributions totaled $6,000 to EFO.

The three winners of the 1999 Outstanding Campaign Awards were not isolated stars in a dark sky. Of the many others that we could describe, we'll limit ourselves to two additional workplaces whose campaign coordinators summoned great enthusiasm and participation among co-workers.

Kit Bradley, director of software engineering at PSC Scanning, Inc., took the helm of the company's campaign committee with great momentum, with the eight person team immediately dividing up the tasks. They approached the company for a 20% match, obtained a letter in support of the campaign from PSC's chief operating officer, and developed a publicity strategy. On kick-off day, pledge cards were personally delivered by committee member Oshara Helton, dressed as a caring godmother, accompanied by her "munchkins," the other committee members. Employees were enticed to hear agency presentations by the smell of popcorn and the sound of live music performed by employees. Giving to EFO increased by 96% to reach $8,557, including the 20% match. "I think personally handing out the pledge cards was the most effective thing we did," says Bradley.

Bill Walker, assistant to the executive director at the Housing Authority of Portland, revitalized his campaign by re-instituting employee meetings with presentations by agency speakers. "I noticed that in years without presentations, the charitable federations kind of fell off the radar screen," he explains. With solid support from the executive director, Denny West, Walker arranged three employee meetings. West sent an initial challenge memo to employees offering to buy dinner for those who pledged $500, and lunch to those who pledged $250. He also attended each meeting. In 1999 participation in the overall campaign increased to 41%, up 27% from 1998.

Deb Furry, a longtime advisor and friend to EFO, is taking over the position of President of the EFO Board of Directors. Furry replaces the much esteemed Kevin Gorman, who has skillfully held the post since 1997.

During her seven years as executive director of the National Alliance for Choice in Giving in Washington, D.C., Furry was instrumental in guiding the growth of workplace charitable campaigns across the country. "There's incredible potential to educate and organize people around critical community issues and then raise money to address them," she says. "I had always looked to EFO as an example of some of the best practices that were out there," she explains.

Ready for a change from life in the nation's capital, Furry packed her bags and drove to Oregon. "Oregon captured my vision of the West. It's wonderful. "Arriving in July, she soon began work as a consultant for Technical Assistance for Community Service (TACS), providing advice to nonprofit organizations on board development, strategic planning, and funding.

Her relocation to Oregon made her ripe for picking as a new EFO Board member. "I've worked with Deb for years on many issues, and feel extremely fortunate to have her as my colleague and partner in guiding EFO," says Sarah Sameh, EFO's executive director. "Her in-depth understanding of the kinds of issues and decisions we face, coupled with her national perspective, will be invaluable to us in the coming years. Yet it is with bittersweet emotion that I face this change in board leadership," says Sameh. "Kevin Gorman has been a remarkable board president. He has been a tremendously committed and effective beacon for the organization, and I am sad to see him finish his term rotation. As he leaves his post as president, however, we celebrate his new role as father." EFO offers its congratulations on the birth of Meghan!

A report of EFO's accomplishment's of 1999 would be incomplete without a special mention of Ron Tate, a loaned executive sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, who assisted EFO's campaign for three months. Ron advised and supported campaign coordinators in workplaces all over Portland and received rave reviews for his presentations on behalf of EFO. "Ron's work really put us over the top in running a smooth and successful campaign this year," says EFO executive director, Sarah Sameh. "We are truly grateful to him and to Kaiser Permanente for the invaluable contribution of his time."

Everyone who contributes funds or time to EFO is a friend in the broadest sense. But during the campaign season and throughout the year, there are always a few individuals who extend themselves a little farther by putting up a poster on a bulletin board, or sending an e-mail to colleagues, or just encouraging others to listen to a presentation. These seemingly small efforts have a big impact on EFO's campaign.

One of our Friends at Nike saw first-hand the rewards of a little bit of effort. John Steaderman, manager for U.S. region operations in Apparel Sales, first heard about EFO a few years ago when he stopped to look at the EFO display during the campaign. When EFO affiliate Oregon Natural Resources Council planned a slideshow on ancient forests for the 1999 campaign, Steaderman moved into action. "Honestly, I didn't have to do much," he says. "I e-mailed departments that deal with the outdoor products industry and encouraged them to go. I also made a few phone calls." He got some immediate results and the slideshow was well attended. But perhaps the most tangible reward is the support generated for environmental work in Oregon. Nike employees raised $52,990 in 1999 for EFO, a 27% increase over 1998. If you'd like to be a Friend to EFO, please contact us at 223-9015. It's an easy and satisfying way to make a big difference for the earth.

As Oregonians celebrate the 30th anniversary of Earth Day (April 22), EFO wants to create new opportunities for employees at Oregon businesses and other institutions to demonstrate their concern and commitment toward creating a better environment. In this spirit, we have launched Eco-Partnership 2000, a program aimed at increasing support for conservation programs through workplace giving. If you know of businesses that would like to enhance their commitment to Oregon's environment, or if you would like to volunteer to help EFO reach out to new businesses, please contact Sarah Sameh at (503) 223-9015 or ses@efo.org. We would greatly appreciate suggestions and input from EFO's current supporters.

An office kitchen usually provides lots of room for improvement as far as Earth-friendly practices are concerned. And EFO's is no exception. We do have some fundamental bases covered: complete sets of dishes, cutlery and mugs to deter use of paper; cloth towels for dish drying and spills; and a complete recycling station. Yet, not all of our cleaning products meet green standards. No one seems to know where the noxious bottles came from, but nonetheless, we are pledging to make things right and commit to using 100% natural, chlorine-and ammonia-free dish soap (Biokleen and Ecover are two readily available brands), and vinegar and water for general purpose cleaning. This change will not only improve our office's indoor air quality but will be gentler on Portland's water supply.

To learn more about green cleaning alternatives, visit: www.coopamerica.org/gp/gcleaning.htm.

1000 Friends of Oregon, Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics, Audubon Society of Portland, Central Oregon Environmental Center, Corvallis Environmental Center, Friends of the Columbia Gorge, Friends of Opal Creek, Friends of Trees, Greenbelt Land Trust, Hells Canyon Preservation Council, National Wildlife Federation, Native Plant Society of Oregon, Northwest Coalition for Alternatives of Pesticides, Northwest Earth Institute, Oregon Environmental Council, Oregon Natural Desert Association, Oregon Natural Resources Council Fund, OSPIRG Foundation, Oregon Trout, Pacific Rivers Council, Recycling Advocates, River Network, Renewable Northwest Project, Solar Energy Association of Oregon, Siskiyou Project, The Nature Conservancy of Oregon, The Sierra Club Foundation, The Wetlands Conservancy, Trust for Public Land, Tualatin Riverkeepers, WaterWatch of Oregon, Willamette Riverkeepers