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Direct Labor, Inc. is a proud recipient of the TOP WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES IN 2010 as published in the April edition of Portland Business Journal. We rank #26 out of 100.
This award is bestowed upon Women Owned Businesses with Commitment, Determination and Vision.
We work with sincere honest heart felt attitude. We want to provide the best worker for our client so that their business is very successful. While at the same time we are happy to provide a great opportunity for the worker. It is a win-win situation for all.
Women and Small Businesses are proving to be a valid importance to the making of Community and Leadership. Direct Labor, Inc. is continuing to strive to be one of the fore runners of this vision.
Direct Labor, Inc. is proud to be an example of the power women have when they put their dreams and goals into action.
It is with great honor that we have been awarded this achievement and will continue to push forward in both the name of women and small businesses.
The GreenLink Shop status, an extension of CCAR’s CCAR-GreenLink® Environmental Compliance Assistance Center and S/P2 (Safety and Pollution Prevention) E-learning Program, is designed to promote consumer confidence in local automotive repair facilities’ environmental/safety awareness and stewardship.
“Kadel’s Auto Body has always been, and will always be, an industry leader when it comes to ‘green’ initiatives,” said Stephen Olson, Safety and Environmental Manager for Kadel’s. “This has been accomplished through the effort and dedication of our entire team, and Kadel’s will continue to look for opportunities to raise our environmental and safety standards for the betterment of our employees, our community and our customers.”
Repair facilities seeking the GreenLink Shop recognition must maintain high standards of excellence in environmental, health and safety (EHS) practices in four categories: business operations, employee training, safety compliance and environmental management. The CCAR initiative recognizes both auto mechanical service facilities and collision repair shops, with separate criteria established for each type of business.
For more information on the CCAR GreenLink Shop program, go to www.ccar-greenlink.org/gls or call toll-free to 1-888-476-5465.
"Internet Shopping" reached #1 on Better Business Bureau's list of most-complained-about industries in Oregon—according to 2010 first quarter complaint statistics. This broad category, which encompasses thousands of online retailers, was previously listed at 14th place in the first quarter of 2009. BBB notes this as a significant spike compared to last year. BBB's first quarter statistics examine complaints accrued between Jan. and March 2010. The following industries in Oregon received the highest number of complaints:
TOP 5 COMPLAINTS
- Internet Shopping
- Auto Dealers – New Cars
- Auto Dealers – Used Cars
- Video Tapes, Disc Sales & Rentals/Television – Cable, CATV & Satellite
- Auto Repair & Service
"Many internet shoppers will speak up against companies with advertising, billing, or delivery issues," said Robert W.G. Andrew, CEO of BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington. "As the popularity and convenience of internet shopping improves, it is more important than ever for online retailers to perform ethically and consumers to do their research."
With the anonymity of the internet, establishing trust online can be a challenge. It's easy for scammers to rip off the public, but not as easy for legitimate businesses to prove their credibility. Visit www.bbb.org for more information on BBB's Accreditation Program or to view Oregon's complete top 20 complaint list.
During the month of February and March Gimre’s Shoes hosted a shoe drive in conjunction with Soles4Soles Inc. benefiting the people of Haiti and the individuals involved in the relief effort. According to Pete Gimre, co-owner, “the results were beyond anything we anticipated and also reflects highly on the giving nature of people in our surrounding communities”.
Gimre’s in Hillsboro collected over 1,000 pair of shoes (31 cases) which was hand counted by the crew and co-owner, Jon Gimre (picture attached) and loaded onto a semi-truck headed to a Soles4Souls distribution center in Las Vegas and then direct to Haiti. Gimre reports among their different locations they collected over 2,000 pairs of shoes weighing over one-ton or 2,400 hundred pounds!
During the month of February the shoe drive gained a life of its own and provided a “feel good” way for people to help others in need, without having to sacrifice their pocketbooks. Among Gimre’s stores, shoe donations were collected at schools collecting shoes as projects, through announcements in churches, nearby merchants collecting and donating shoes, and plentiful of word-of-mouth communication.
Co-owners Jon and Pete Gimre, and all of the Gimre’s Shoes associates say thank-you to all that helped makes this shoe drive such a great success for the people of Haiti.
HILLSBORO, Or. - Matthew Ferguson, 15, a member of Washington County 4-H and a sophomore at Liberty High School, was name as a Distinguished Finalist for 2010 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for their outstanding volunteerism. On March 30 at 7:30 pm Matt will be receiving the Prudential Spirit of Community Bronze Medal as well as the Gold President’s Volunteer Service Award which is given to youth who have volunteered in their community more than 250 hours in a 12 month period.
Matthew created “Matt’s Chemo Comfort Bags” to make newly diagnosed breast cancer patients more comfortable on their first day of chemotherapy. Matt solicits donations from local businesses for the comfort items in the bags such as lip balm, special pillows, Kleenex, lotion, warm socks, silk scarves and antibacterial lotion. “When my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer it rocked our world, my sister and I had never thought about losing our mom,” said Matthew. “When my mom’s chemotherapy was over and we knew she was going to get better, I wanted to do something to help other breast cancer patients who were beginning their scary chemotherapy journey.”
Susan G. Komen of Oregon and SW Washington recently recognized Matt’s Chemo Comfort Bags and awarded him a $2000 mini-grant. Other businesses such as Visiting Angels Home Care, Jim’s Thriftway and The Thriftway Corporation, NW Reikii, and several local families and 4-H clubs have donated their time and supplies for the bags.
The Greater Hillsboro Area Chamber of Commerce completed its candidate endorsement process to identify, promote and elect business friendly candidates. All candidates, for the six races, were invited to participate and were sent a questionnaire for their race in advance. They were informed that they must fully participate in the process by providing both a written response to the questions and by participating in the interview process to receive a Chamber endorsement.
Senate District #15
Chamber Endorsed Candidate: Senator Bruce Starr
Senator Bruce Starr has been a strong vote for business throughout his political career and has maintained a very consistent, open relationship with the Hillsboro Chamber. Senator Starr helped craft the transportation bill that was approved during the 2009 Legislative session that provided badly needed infrastructure funding for specific projects in Hillsboro.
House District #30
Chamber Endorsed Candidate: Shawn Lindsay
Shawn Lindsay presented himself very professionally throughout the interview. His responses to the questionnaire aligned with the Hillsboro Chamber’s policies regarding economic development and fiscal responsibility and accountability at the State level. While Shawn does not have a track record to compare with his opponent, he did participate in the effort to overturn Measures 66 & 67 by participating in the local phone bank as well as going door-to-door to educate voters.
House District #29
Chamber Endorsed Candidate: Katie Eyre Brewer
Katie Eyre Brewer has a strong alignment with the Hillsboro Chamber as a past chair as well as a current member of the City of Hillsboro Planning Commission. Her background as a tax accountant would be an asset to the Oregon State Legislature and we believe her prior leadership positions have given her a more thorough understanding of the issues facing our state then her opponent.
Metro Council President
Chamber Endorsed Candidate: Tom Hughes
Tom Hughes earned the Chamber’s support for this position in no small part to his successful leadership as Mayor of Hillsboro for eight years. During Hughes’ tenure as mayor, Hillsboro became a state leader in job creation and economic development. Now more than ever with the difficult challenges facing the region and our state Hughes’ ability to bring groups to consensus was cited as a major asset that would be beneficial to Metro.
Metro Council District #4
Chamber Endorsed Candidate: Councilor Kathryn Harrington
Councilor Kathryn Harrington has proven that she listens to all sides of an issue, works tirelessly to ensure she has a complete understanding of issues and makes herself available to hear from constituents as well as articulate her position. She is politically strategic and has the ability to understand the political landscape effectively. Kathryn’s leadership during the Urban/Rural Reserves has proven her to be a very important asset for Hillsboro. She has a strong relationship with the Hillsboro Chamber and often seeks out our position and viewpoint on important issues.
Washington County Member-At-Large
Chamber Endorsed Candidate: Andy Duyck
Commissioner Andy Duyck has a strong understanding and appreciation for the issues that the Hillsboro Chamber cares about and advocates for. Commissioner Duyck has served on the County Commission for many years and has proven himself to be a contemplative thinker with a willingness to listen to all sides before rendering a decision or taking a position. He has also demonstrated his ability to change his mind when new, compelling information is presented. We believe Commissioner Duyck has a unique understanding of Hillsboro’s relevance to Washington County, the region and the state. Commissioner Duyck’s relationship with the Chamber has been strong, consistent and respectful. He is well-positioned to lead the Washington County Commission as chair.
Washington County District #4
Chamber Endorsed Candidate: Bob Terry
Bob Terry’s strong business background is in direct alignment with the Hillsboro Chamber’s policies and philosophies. Mr. Terry’s background as a member of the Washington County Budget Committee gives him a distinct advantage and a thorough understanding of the issues facing Washington County. He understands the challenges and opportunities available. Mr. Terry is also a past chair of the Hillsboro Chamber and as such has a solid relationships with the business community.
In the early morning hours of March 16, an air-ambulance jet aircraft at Hillsboro Airport conducted an unscheduled and unexpected engine maintenance run-up in preparation for an emergency medical flight. Engine run-ups are conducted to ensure aircraft engines are operating correctly.
Port of Portland policy prohibits engine maintenance run-ups as part of scheduled maintenance between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. daily. However, unscheduled emergency engine maintenance run-ups are exempt from this policy. In this instance, air-ambulance transport is considered an emergency flight. Unfortunately, the flight was cancelled because the aircraft operator was unable to repair this aircraft.
Related Links:
Noise Management
Hillsboro Airport
Contact:
Rachel Wray, Environmental Outreach Manager, 503.944.7047
Jones and Roth, a Hillsboro certified public accounting and business consulting firm, recently announced the formation of a new Energy Tax Credit Team. The new team of tax professionals was created to track the growing number of energy related tax credits and incentives available to individuals and businesses.
“This area of tax law is constantly in flux due to programs ending, new programs starting and existing programs being modified. Our team stays on top of these changes and the requirements to qualify for the credit or incentive,” Carrie Fortier, CPA senior manager and Energy Tax Credit Team Leader, pointed out.
Fortier emphasized there are a number of federal, state and local programs to help incent companies to “go green”. Many of these credits and incentives are significant in their impact on reducing a company’s tax liability but they can be complex and require professional guidance and in some cases third party certification.
“Our firm has always provided this type of information to clients but we felt it was important to go a step further and have a dedicated team focused on this rapidly changing list of tax saving opportunities,” Doug Griesel, Jones & Roth managing partner, commented.
The Jones and Roth Energy Tax Credit Team members: Team Leader Carrie Fortier, CPA; Greg Lyons, CPA; Tax Dept. Partner Robin Matthews, CPA; Manager Nicole McOmber, CPA; Jeff Plowman, Construction Team staff accountant, and Jamie Zolezzi, CPA.
Direct Labor Inc also will be the ' temp service " in the movie. This movie is being filmed in Hillsboro OR, at Pacific University Health Center, a residence in Vernonia, OR, Gales Creek Tavern, in Gales Creek OR,P.C.C>. Rock Creek Champus and Direct Labor Inc among other locations.
ABOUT THE FILM: 'Fray,' directed by Geoff Ryan, is based on the short film, 'Pour,' which was recently selected at various film festivals. The film is about a young veteran, who has recently returned from war and surrounds his struggles of finding meaning in civilian life while fighting to overcome the psychological and physical wounds of war. The feature deals with both the visceral reality of living in the elements, the psychological trauma and isolation of having just returned from combat as well as the personal and emotional struggles involved in returning to civilian life and trying to be "normal" again.
For the third year in a row, Hospice & Palliative Care of Washington County, located in Hillsboro Oregon, has been selected as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For, presented by Oregon Business Magazine. For 17 years the magazine has honored Oregon companies whose leaders have created great places to work for their employees. Winners were reveled on March 4th in a ceremony held at the Oregon Convention Center.
“I have the best employees in the world” stated Christine Larch, CEO of the organization. “As difficult as this work can be, our employees consistently offer the finest, most compassionate patient-centered care and family support anyone could expect at end of life.”
In 2008, Hospice & Palliative Care of Washington County ranked 20th in the small business category, In 2009 they reached 5th in the rankings for a medium size business. For 2010, their ranking of #2 in the medium business category shows the employees morale, work environment and trust in their leadership surpassed even previous survey results of their workplace experience.
Hospice & Palliative Care of Washington County is the only non-profit free-standing hospice and palliative care program in Washington County, serving the region for over 27 years. The organization is poised to become the only hospice organization in the state to build an end-of-life Hospice Campus, offering an in-patient bed facility, a full in-home Palliative Care program, conference center for public education, teaching facility for all clinical disciplines, and a full Grief Center for children, adults and the general public. The Campus will also provide direct services and outreach to people of diverse racial-ethnic backgrounds to expand their knowledge and use of end-of-life services.
This year over 20,000 employees from 300 companies participated in the 2010 anonymous survey that determines a companies ranking. Categories that employees rank their employer in are Benefits and Compensation, Work Environment, Decision Making and Trust, Performance Management, and Career Development and Learning. For more information on Hospice & Palliative Care of Washington County please visit our web site at www.hospicewc.org or call 503-648-9565.
Kadel’s Hillsboro is certified as an “Eco-Logical” Business as of March 2, 2010. Debra Taevs of the Pollution Prevention Resource Center presented a certificate to Kadel’s management team on behalf of the P2O team at a ceremony held at Kadel’s Hillsboro.
“This is the 10th and final Oregon Kadel’s location to be certified, and we could not be more pleased by the leadership Kadel’s continues to display in preventing pollution,” Taevs told those at the presentation.
“To be certified, a business must go beyond state and local requirements for pollution prevention, completing a rigorous 97 point checklist.” Taevs went on to explain that the participation of smaller business was critical because they contribute 30% of all hazardous air pollutants to the atmosphere.
“Obtaining pollution prevention certification is an important way Kadel’s Auto Body supports the local community,” said Don Braden, President and CEO of Kadel’s Auto Body. “We are very proud to have all of our Oregon locations Eco-Biz certified.”
The “Eco-Logical” Business Program is a joint project of the Pollution Prevention Outreach Team (Portland, Gresham, Clackamas and Washington counties, United Sewerage Agency, Metro and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality). More information and a list of Eco-Biz Shops are available on line at http://www.ecobiz.org/. Information on the Pollution Prevention Resource Center, a critical partner in the P2O effort is available at http://pprc.org/about/.
Founded in 1954, Kadel’s is the 10th largest repair provider in the U.S. Since its founding the company has expanded to twelve locations based on the quality of its repairs and its customer service, its reputation in the communities it serves and its partnership with the insurance industry. Based in Tigard, OR, Kadel’s is the region’s largest provider of auto body repair services.
503-359-4600 | www.fgcschool.org
information@fgcschool.org | http://fgcschool.org/academic/index.php
The Forest Grove Community School is a free public charter school that engages students in scholarship, stewardship and citizenship with the goal of educating for sustainability. We provide a caring, smaller school environment that challenges students to reach their highest potential through learning rooted in the local community. Forest Grove Community School, like all public charter schools, is a school of choice intended to offer a unique educational program.
What led to the creation of this new school?
On top of the normal challenges of growing into adults, we foresee that our children will face environmental and cultural challenges that are unprecedented in scope and that will require intelligent and flexible response. We believe that to meet these challenges our children will need the ability to adapt to change, knowledge of environmental systems, and an understanding of how to live sustainably.
As a result, we must prepare our children by teaching them the skills they need to assess and respond to information, to set and accomplish goals for themselves, and to develop strong community bonds.
Scholarship, Stewardship, Citizenship
Life lessons are learned by living. So, we created a school in which the students and teachers take the classroom into the world. Yes, they will study reading, writing and arithmetic (and much more), but the lessons will be held in the school garden, the wetlands, or downtown as well as in the classroom. These lessons will have impact, meaning, and lasting value because they are hands-on, here at home, dealing with real life issues.
- Nine months after it was enacted, the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 went into effect on Feb. 22, 2010, granting credit card holders new consumer protection rights. Meanwhile, a survey by CreditCards.com indicates that almost 75 percent of cardholders admit to not reading the terms and conditions of their credit cards.
“Credit card debt, fees and penalties can put American families in financial trouble," said Robert W.G. Andrew, CEO of Better Business Bureau serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington. "Consumers need to take the time to understand the fine print of their credit card agreements and learn about the consumer protection initiatives within the new CARD Act."
BBB recommends that all consumers review the new provisions set forth by the Credit CARD Act of 2009:
- More Notice for New Interest Rate Changes. Card issuers must give cardholders 45-days advance notice in the event of an interest rate change. Additionally, promotional rates must apply for at least six months and, unless disclosed up front, cardholders cannot have their rate increased in the first year.
- Cardholder Opt-Out. If there are significant changes made to the terms of the account, cardholders can choose to reject those changes and will have five years to pay off the balance under the original terms.
- Older Age Restrictions Added. Card issuers are no longer allowed to issue a credit card to anyone under 21 unless they can prove they have the means to repay debt or if an adult over 21 co-signs on the account. Credit card companies also face new restrictions on how they can promote cards to college students and can no longer offer free gifts as enticements on campuses.
- New Rules for Monthly Statements. In response to complaints that bill due dates were being moved up—and leading to increased late fees—monthly statements must now be mailed or delivered 21 days prior to the due date. Additionally, card issuers can no longer set a payment deadline before 5 p.m. and cannot charge cardholders if they pay online, over the phone or by mail—unless the payment is made over the phone either on the due date or the previous day.
- Overpayments Go Toward Highest Interest Balances. If the cardholder has varied interest rates for different services or accounts, any overpayments must be applied to the account that is incurring the highest interest rate.
- Over the Limit Opt-In. Cardholders must opt-in to be able to exceed their credit limit—and subsequently be charged an over-limit fee by the issuer. If a cardholder chooses not to opt-in, then he or she will not be able to exceed their credit limit and incur any resultant fees.
- Increased Disclosure on Minimum Payments. Card issuers must disclose how long it will take the cardholder to pay off their bill if they only pay the minimum monthly payment as well as how much the cardholder would need to pay every month to pay off the balance in 36 months.
- Say Goodbye to Double-Billing Cycles. When calculating finance charges, card issuers can no longer employ two-cycle or double billing—a method that causes cardholders to pay interest on previously paid balances.
For a comprehensive summary of new consumer protections through the Credit CARD Act of 2009, click here."
The Hillsboro Citizen’s Police Academy is a ten-week program designed as an educational tool that facilitates communication and an understanding of the police role in the community while encouraging partnerships between police and citizens. Our intent is to acquaint our citizens with the police, and our police with our citizens. With better understanding it becomes easier for police and citizens to find realistic solutions to neighborhood problems. The sessions include information about fraud and identity theft, crime prevention, street gangs, narcotics, volunteer programs, patrol and criminal investigation, firearms and use of deadly force issues and demonstration by the Emergency Response Team (E.R.T.), and the K-9 unit. In addition, the academy tours the Washington County Jail facility and the 9-1-1 Washington County Consolidated Communications Agency (W.C.C.C.A.). The Citizen’s Academy is held once a year. The academy begins the 3rd Thursday in March.
Please submit an application to:
Police Program Supervisor
Hillsboro Police Department
250 SE 10th Ave.
Hillsboro OR 97123
Intel President and CEO Paul Otellini today announced a $3.5 billion initiative to support investment in U.S.-based growth-oriented industries and detailed a commitment to significantly increase jobs available this year for recent college graduates. As Intel’s largest site, Intel’s operations in Oregon stand to benefit significantly from this hiring effort. Innovative Oregon technology start-ups also could see new investments.
The Invest in America Alliance, led by Intel and supported by many leading venture capital firms and corporations, aims to further anchor the nation’s competitiveness on the global stage. It serves as the private sector’s complement to existing state and federal job creation programs through long-term investment in industries and talent poised to produce the next breakthroughs in technology innovation.
The Alliance is a two-pronged effort. The first includes a commitment from Intel Capital, Intel Corporation's global investment organization, and 24 leading venture capital firms to invest $3.5 billion in U.S.-based technology companies over the next 2 years. These investments, which include a new, $200 million Intel Capital Invest in America Technology Fund, will target key innovation and growth segments such as clean technology, information technology and biotechnology.
Second, the Invest in America Alliance also includes commitments from 17 technology and other corporate leaders to increase their hiring of college graduates, some by as much as two times, to create the products and provide the services of tomorrow. Of the companies joining Intel in a commitment to significantly increase hiring of college graduates in 2010, many will be doubling graduate hiring over 2009 levels. In total, this represents 10,500 jobs for graduates to be hired for a range of positions.
“Many more college graduates will now be able to put their education to work thanks to these 17 companies,” said Richard Taylor, vice president and director of Human Resources for Intel. “We hope this is just a start and welcome companies across all industries to join this open effort. Many college graduates have been among the hardest hit by the economic downturn and providing them a place in the economy today is the best way to ensure America’s innovation and competitiveness tomorrow.”
How can start-ups contact Intel Capital to seek funding?
Start-ups seeking funding can find contact information on the Intel Capital website (www.intel.com/capital/) or email intelcapital@intel.com.
Where can college students go to learn more information about the jobs you’re hiring for and the process for applying?
Interested candidates should go to www.intel.com/jobs. There is a list of recruiting events there, current open jobs, and opportunities to sign up to get information as the program rolls out.
Intel has contracted for new solar electric installations at U.S. locations spanning four states: Oregon, Arizona, California and New Mexico. The new installations will generate approximately 2.5mW of clean solar energy.
800kW of the total will be installed at Intel in Oregon. The Oregon installations will supplement a 100kW electric PV system already in place at Intel’s Jones Farm campus in Hillsboro that was energized in December 2008.
Intel’s new installations are planned to be completed over the next seven months. Specific locations at Intel’s campuses in Oregon will depend on to-be-completed engineering studies. All the installations will use the power generated on their respective site, making them an efficient source of electricity and saving on distributive transmission losses.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, over 25 years, the new solar installations in Oregon will offset an estimated:
- 32.8 million lbs of CO2, the leading greenhouse gas
- 94,576 lbs of SO2, which causes acid rain
- 6,432 lbs of particulates, which can cause asthma
The U.S. EPA also announced today that Intel continues to be the #1 purchaser of green power in the U.S. for the 2nd year in a row. View EPA news release.
- Funding will support innovation in school leadership -
- Brings total grants awarded for school year to $1.7 million -
The Nike School Innovation Fund (NSIF) today announced it is awarding $1.1 million in grants to support innovation in school leadership in the Beaverton, Hillsboro and Portland public school systems for the 2009-2010 school year. Combined with $600,000 in grants made earlier this year for early learner summer academies, NSIF is providing $1.7 million in funding support to the three districts this school year. The NSIF grants began in 2007 to support innovation in education and leadership with the goal of improving student achievement.
“The Nike School Innovation Fund grant will fund the Middle School Proficiency Leadership Collaborative to support administrative and teacher leaders in launching the Beaverton Proficiency Learning System. We believe this initiative can help the District bring to scale effective teaching and learning in classrooms and ensure equitable outcomes for students so that they are prepared for academic success and work beyond high school,” said Beaverton Superintendent Jerome Colonna.
Nike CEO Mark Parker, in announcing NSIF in 2007, said the company would help the three school districts by lending support, expertise, and dollars. “We knew NSIF would partially be about funding grants for key program innovations. Equally important is the personal involvement of Nike employees and partners,” said Parker. Nike leaders have been actively supporting school and central office teams by sharing their expertise as it relates to team building, implementing plans, out-of-the-box thinking, and datadriven decision making.
“Three school districts, 100,000 students, and more than 50 Nike executives collaborating with teachers, principals, and administrators are a powerful force. We are building ideas, relationships and impact that is bigger and more enduring than the grants themselves,” said Heidi OʼNeill, VP/General Manager of Global Womenʼs Training who has spearheaded the engagement of Nike executives.
Hillsboro Grant – K-12 District Literacy Initiative. The $100,000 grant being awarded to the Hillsboro School District will support the district literacy initiative to improve reading and writing. In addition a team of Nike leaders will work with five elementary schools: Lincoln Street, W.L. Henry, Reedville, Mooberry, and Witch Hazel. The funds will support ELL literacy trainings for school leaders and a Leadership Institute with the goal of 82% of students reading at benchmark or above by June 2010. (Hillsboroʼs leadership grant is smaller as the district chose to allocate 75% of their grant to the early learners programming.)
Portland Grant – Developing & supporting school leadership teams to improve student writing. Teams of NIKE leaders are working with 12 Portland schools as part of the Portland Leadership Collaborative (PLC), a two-year leadership development program designed to help teacher and administrator teams improve writing instruction. Each school team receives intensive training and support in three areas: development and support of professional learning communities, use of data to lead school improvement, and effective writing instruction. The $500,000 Leadership Innovation Grant being awarded to Portland Public Schools this year will fund a third year of the PLC and support 30 schools. The new schools entering the program this year are Abernethy, Beach, Beaumont, da Vinci Arts, Duniway, Glencoe, Hayhurst, Kelly, Marysville, Rigler, Sellwood and Vernon.
Beaverton Grant – Increasing Student Proficiency. The $500,000 grant to the Beaverton School District will support the Middle School Proficiency Leadership Collaborative, an innovative program that will bring 10 school teams together with Nike leaders to create a proficiency-based learning system. The grant will support and enable teacher leaders at middle schools as they implement the Beaverton Proficiency Learning System.
The 2009-2010 NSIF Leadership Innovation grants complement the $600,000 in Early Learner grants that were awarded this summer for programs to help pre-kindergarten through second grader students who need extra help to move on to the next grade. NSIF Early Learner grants made earlier this year included $300,000 to Hillsboro, $100,000 to Beaverton, and $200,000 to Portland Public Schools.
About NSIF: The Nike School Innovation Fund is a $9-million, five-year commitment begun in 2007 to support public education in Beaverton, Hillsboro and Portland, Oregon school districts. NSIFʼs goal is to support innovation in education and leadership to improve student achievement. NSIF does that by lending support, expertise, and dollars in two primary areas: Early Learner Grants and School Leadership Grants. The NSIF is an affiliate of the Portland Business Alliance Charitable Institute, a 501c (3) corporation. An Advisory Board that includes representatives of the Beaverton, Hillsboro and Portland Public School districts, NIKE and national education and business leaders advise the NSIF. View the recent NSIF video here
As immediate relief needs are assessed in the wake of the devastating earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010, many Americans are looking for ways to help by donating to a charity. Your Better Business Bureau Foundation warns that—as occurred following the tsunami in 2004 and Katrina in 2005—fraudulent charities will likely emerge trying to scam donations from well-meaning Americans.
“Whenever there is a major natural disaster, be it home or abroad, there are two things you can count on. The first is the generosity of Americans to donate time and money to help victims, and the second is the appearance of poorly run and in some cases fraudulent charities,” said Robert W.G. Andrew, CEO of BBB serving Alaska, Oregon, and Western Washington. “Not only do Americans need to be concerned about avoiding fraud, they also need to make sure their money goes to competent relief organizations that are equipped and experienced to handle the unique challenges of providing assistance.”
BBB Foundation offers the following six tips to help Americans decide where to direct donations:
- Rely on expert opinion when it comes to evaluating a charity. Be cautious when relying on third-party recommendations such as bloggers or other Web sites, as they might not have fully researched the listed relief organizations. The public can go to www.bbb.org/charity to research charities and relief organizations to verify that they are accredited by BBB and meet the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
- Be wary of claims that 100 percent of donations will assist relief victims. Despite what an organization might claim, charities have fundraising and administrative costs. Even a credit card donation will involve, at a minimum, a processing fee. If a charity claims 100 percent of collected funds will be assisting earthquake victims, the truth is that the organization is still probably incurring fundraising and administrative expenses. They may use some of their other funds to pay this, but the expenses will still be incurred.
- Be cautious when giving online. Be cautious about online giving, especially in response to spam messages and e-mails that claim to link to a relief organization. In response to the tsunami disaster in 2004, there were concerns raised about many Web sites and new organizations that were created overnight allegedly to help victims.
- Find out if the charity has an on-the-ground presence in the impacted areas. Unless the charity already has staff in the effected areas, it may be difficult to get new aid workers to quickly provide assistance. See if the charity’s Web site clearly describes what they can do to address immediate needs.
- Find out if the charity is providing direct aid or raising money for other groups. Some charities may be raising money to pass along to relief organizations. If so, you may want to consider “avoiding the middleman” and giving directly to charities that have a presence in the region. Or, at a minimum, check out the ultimate recipients of these donations to ensure the organizations are equipped to effectively provide aid.
- Ask before giving gifts of clothing, food or other in-kind donations. In-kind drives for food and clothing—while well intentioned—may not necessarily be the quickest way to help those in need, unless the organization has the staff and infrastructure to be able to properly distribute such aid. Ask the charity about their transportation and distribution plans. Be wary of those who are not experienced in disaster relief assistance.
Washington County would like to hear from the public by January 25 about a proposed agreement between the Board of County Commissioners and the Washington County Fair Board.
Among other goals, the agreement is meant to strengthen the Fair event held each year at the 101-acre County Fair Complex property located at the intersection of NE Cornell Road and NE 34th Avenue in Hillsboro.
"Streamlining the operations at the Fair will help all of us to continue providing a quality Fair as we implement the redevelopment plan" said Washington County Commissioner Andy Duyck. "The current management model is not as efficient as it was when we were still a rural County."
The agreement also seeks to:
- Strengthen partnership and collaboration among the Board of Commissioners, Fair Board, Fair Boosters, county staff and other interested parties;
- Clarify Fair Board and county roles and responsibilities and formalize channels of communication and collaboration;
- Focus energy, passion and expertise of the Fair Board on the production of the Fair event;
- Optimize operational efficiencies and leverage the resources, staff and expertise of Washington County; and
- Form and staff an advisory committee to the Board of Commissioners to provide input for updating and implementing the Fairgrounds Master Plan, Fairgrounds Capital Projects Plan and other major site-related initiatives.
Members of the public are welcome to review the proposed agreement and send written comments by January 25 to the Board of County Commissioners. Please visit www.co.washington.or.us/fair for background and to download a form to submit written testimony.
For more information, e-mail: fair@co.washington.or.us or call 503 846-8685.
The new year brings an important reminder to all Oregonians: Beginning Jan. 1, 2010, it's illegal to dispose of computers, monitors or TVs in the garbage or at disposal sites such as landfills, transfer stations and incinerators.
This disposal ban is part of the same law that created Oregon E-Cycles, which provides free recycling of computers, monitors and TVs at any of the program’s 220 collection sites statewide. The law states that anyone violating the ban could receive a penalty of up to $500 for each violation. Each computer, monitor or TV disposed of improperly is considered a separate violation.
Visit Oregon E-Cycles to find a conveniently located collection site or call the toll-free hotline at 1-888-5-ECYCLE (1-888-532-9253).
Neither the ban nor Oregon E-Cycles covers computer peripherals (keyboards, mice, etc.) or other types of electronics, but DEQ encourages all Oregonians to recycle these items as well. You can find a partial list of other electronics recyclers on the Oregon E-Cycles website.
For questions about the new disposal ban, check out DEQ’s Q&A on the topic.
Clinic to treat all aspects of diabetes and break down barriers to health care in Latino and other underserved communities throughout Washington County, Oregon
The Regence Foundation awarded a $94,000 grant to Pacific University for its Interdisciplinary Diabetes Clinic, scheduled to open in Hillsboro next spring. The safety-net clinic will be open to anyone with diabetes, with a primary focus on providing affordable care to Latinos and other underserved populations with diabetes.
The grant was announced during a check presentation ceremony featuring Regence of Oregon president Jared Short and Pacific University president Lesley Hallick at Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon’s Portland branch.
According to the Office of Minority Health and Centers for Disease Control, more than 10 percent of Latinos over the age of 18 have been diagnosed with diabetes. Latinos with diabetes are also more likely to be treated for end-stage renal disease caused by diabetes, or to die from diabetes. In addition, a large percentage of Oregon Latinos are without health insurance.
“A major focus for The Regence Foundation is removing barriers to care and making sure community members have access to quality, affordable care close to home,” said Michael Alexander, Regence Foundation board chair. “The Oregon Diabetes Coalition reports that there are currently 30,000 diabetes patients in Washington County. The need for affordable, culturally sensitive health services far outstrips the capacity of the existing safety-net system.”
The Regence Foundation grant will be used for electronic health records, as basic start-up support, and to help the clinic hire a director and patient care coordinator. The patient care coordinator will help ensure patients receive care and patient education for all aspects of their diabetic condition, whether it is physical therapy for mobility issues, dental care for periodontal disease, or eye care for retinal disease or glaucoma.
“Meeting the healthcare needs of our diverse community is central to our mission and values,” Dr. Hallick said. “Spanish language competency and cultural sensitivity is built into every part of the health care curriculum we teach at Pacific University. Our goal is to help our students become well-rounded health professionals who can treat the whole patient and the whole community.”
The clinic will be located on the Pacific University Health Professions Campus in Hillsboro, which houses the University’s professional programs in optometry, dental health, pharmacy, professional psychology, physician assistant studies, occupational therapy, physical therapy and healthcare administration, as well as the Hillsboro Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center. In addition to Virginia Garcia, significant partners also include The Essential Health Clinic and Tuality Healthcare. Pacific University students from a variety of health specialties will have the opportunity to work and train in the Interdisciplinary Diabetes Clinic.
This grant was paid through The Regence Fund at The Oregon Community Foundation. In addition to The Regence Foundation grant, the clinic also received a $10,000 grant from The Standard Foundation.
Charitable solicitation scams often increase in November and December, when holiday themed charity drives are bountiful. Better Business Bureau serving Alaska, Oregon, and Western Washington warns consumers to be aware of 3 types of charitable solicitation shams:
- The representative is with a fictitious charity. Many scammers mimic legitimate organizations, choosing names with slight variations to sound more credible. This fly-by-night scam relies on donors who don't research the organization before making a contribution.
- The schemer claims to be with a well-known organization, but has no affiliation. The con operates in hopes that potential contributors don't contact the organization to verify that they are a registered worker or volunteer.
- The solicitor is a verifiable employee of the organization, but pockets the money instead of applying it to the cause. This unethical person preys on inexperienced givers and avoids offering a donation receipt or confirmation code.
Your BBB offers a Charity Review Program, Charity Seal Program and the following tips to assist potential donors in avoiding fictitious solicitations and finding reliable local charities:
- Contribute carefully. When solicited by an individual claiming to be from a charitable organization, look for indicators that it’s not a legitimate source: the organization's name or logo seems familiar, but is slightly altered; advertisements lack full contact information, such as the organization's name, address and phone number; contact information isn't verifiable; mailings look like bills or invoices; or the organization sends unordered merchandise and demands payment. These are all warning signs to report to your BBB.
- Charitable donations are voluntary. Legitimate charitable organizations should never pressure donors to make an immediate contribution. Don't trust a soliciting charity that sends invoices demanding past due payments.
- Give to organizations you know and trust. Don't donate impulsively. If interested, ask them to return or call back later after you confirm the validity of the organization and that the representative is a registered worker or volunteer.
- Make sure the charity is properly registered. If it’s a local charity, verify that they are properly registered with the Oregon Department of Justice. Also, research the company on a search engine.
- Check out the charity with BBB before making a donation. BBB's 20 Standards for Charity Accountability cover how an organization is governed, ways it spends money, truthfulness of its representations, and its willingness to disclose basic information to the public. Get free Charity Reports at www.bbb.org/charity.
- Don't hand over payment information if you are unsure. To make sure it goes to the correct source, consider contacting the organization or charity directly to make a donation. Always inquire about what percentage of the donation will go to the cause or related charitable activities.
- Avoid charities that only accept cash as payment. It is difficult to recover cash if the source turns out to be fraudulent. If writing a check, address it payable to the charity and not the soliciting individual.
- Request a receipt. Make sure to obtain a tax receipt or confirmation code of the donation. Steer clear of those not willing to provide one.
- Contributions may be tax deductible. In most cases, contributions to 501(c)3 charitable organizations will be tax deductible. Be aware that "tax exempt" simply means that the organization does not pay taxes. Contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for more information on tax deductible status.
- Keep a record of volunteer contributions. Retain copies of receipts, check stubs, and bank statements when accounting expenses during tax season. Although time and efforts will not be reimbursed, transportation costs and other out-of-pocket expenses associated with volunteer service may be tax deductible.
The Cultural Coalition of Washington County is seeking applications for new members. Terms begin in January 2010. The following link to the County’s website gives more information and the application form. Applications should be submitted by December 1st . Please share this announcement with others – we want to recruit members from across the county and who bring unique experiences and expertise to the Coalition. Meetings are typically held during the weekday and the Coalition meets approximately 8 – 10 times per year.
Here is the link to the application form for the Cultural Coalition of Washington County.
Beaverton, Oregon October 21st, 2009 – Tualatin Valley Community Television is proud to announce that its “ Greenville Park Playground Grand Opening” video received one of the top honors at the 24th Annual National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors Government Programming Awards (GPA’s) held October 3rd in New Orleans, Louisiana. These Awards recognize excellence in broadcast, cable, multimedia, and electronic programming by government access television stations throughout the country. “Greenville Park” placed 3rd in the popular Community Events Coverage Category - this is the third year TVCTV has earned one of the top awards in this competition that receives over eight-hundred entries nationwide.
The video documents the Banks Community Foundation’s efforts to fundraise, coordinate, and construct a community playground within the city’s central park. From concept to completion, the playground was built entirely through the hard work of volunteers who wanted to better their community.
The program was produced by TVCTV Staff Producer Roberto Gonzales.
To view all of the GPA winners, visit NATOA’s official website at www.natoa.org
Brad Avakian, Commissioner of the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI), is proud to announce the opening of nominee submissions for the BOLI Business Leadership Awards. These awards are intended to provide distinction to a select group of businesses that go above and beyond the call of duty in supporting civil rights and equal opportunity, fair workplaces and developing Oregon’s workforce through employee training. The awards ceremony will take place on December 9 at the 25th Annual BOLI Employment Law Conference in Portland, Oregon.
“We are fortunate in Oregon to have businesses which exemplify the spirit of the BOLI mission in their work every day,” said Commissioner Avakian. “We at BOLI want to recognize some of those businesses for their exceptional efforts.”
BOLI Business Leadership Awards will be presented in three categories: Civil Rights Champion, Fair Workplace Champion and Workforce Development Champion.
Nominations are open now through November 18. Nominees must currently be operating primarily within Oregon, or have headquarters in Oregon. Awards will be determined based on information provided in the nomination form, as well as the nominee’s company size and geographic location.
What: BOLI Business Leadership Awards
Who: Presented by BOLI Commissioner Brad Avakian
When: Nominations are due by 5pm on Wednesday, November 18
Where: Nomination forms and additional information are available at www.oregon.gov/boli/
How: Submit nominations by email to Commissioner.Brad.Avakian@state.or.us Or by fax to 971-673-0762
The Bureau of Labor and Industries defends the rights of workers and citizens to equal, nondiscriminatory treatment in workplaces, housing and public accommodations and encourages and enforces compliance with state laws relating to wages, hours and terms and conditions of employment. The bureau also partners with business and labor organizations to build a skilled workforce in Oregon and trains employers to understand and comply with civil rights and other labor and employment laws
More than 6,700 employees at over 200 nonprofits throughout the state participated in the project. Based on the magazine's widely regard 100 Best Companies project, the nonprofit version was created to recognized a critical business sector that employs hundreds of thousands of workers.
"We realized nonprofits see themselves as very different from other businesses, but we also believed they had one thing very much in common: caring about their employees," said Oregon Business Editor Robin Doussard. "So we decided to develop a groundbreaking workplace best-practices project a 100 Best project just for them. We wanted nonprofits to have the insight into their workforce that the corporate world has so readily come to value over the years."
The Top 3 Best Small Nonprofits were: No. 1/Oregon Rehabilitation Assoc.; No. 2/Oregon Health Care Assoc.; No. 3/The Dougy Center.
The Top 4 Best Medium Nonprofits were: No. 1/Idealist.org; No. 2/TLC Federal Credit Union; No. 3/Portland YouthBuilders; No. 4/REACH Community Development.
The Top 3 Best Large Nonprofits were: No. 1/Susan G. Komen for the Cure, OR/SW Wash. Affiliate; No. 2/Native American Youth and Family Center; No. 3/Oregon Research Institute.
Any not-for-profit or nonprofit organization with more than 10 Oregon employees was eligible. Those who entered included a wide range of charitable nonprofits that help children, animals, breast cancer victims and many more; business associations; faith-based groups; government entities, and civic organizations.
There was no cost to enter the survey, which was comprised of an anonymous employee survey and an employer benefits survey administered by research partners Davis, Hibbitts and Midghall and Oregon Business research editor, Brandon Sawyer. The nonprofit organization TACS consulted on the creation of the survey questions.
The 6,700 employees who participated in the 100 Best Nonprofits survey ranked satisfaction and importance of 50 workplace qualities in six categories: benefits and compensation; work environment; decision-making and trust; performance management; and career development and learning.
As a whole, employees in the nonprofit survey assigned their highest importance ratings to two workplace variables: "treatment of employees by supervisors," and "pride and belief in the organization." The latter item clearly reflects the mission-driven quality of nonprofit organizations and their employees, while the former speaks for itself. Nonprofit employees assessed all workplace characteristics to be of relatively high importance.
For the full list of the 100 Best Nonprofits, go to www.oregonbusiness.com .
Dear Members:
I ask your indulgence for just three short minutes! Please complete a very brief survey (link below) that can both help your company and bolster the regional economy. By participating, you will receive a $15 gift to dine at Stanford’s Restaurant and Bar at Portland International Airport, and you’ll be entered to win a pair of Portland Trail Blazer Champion Club tickets* for a game this coming season.
The survey comes to us from the International Air Service Committee, which is made up of business and community leaders from Oregon and southwest Washington. The committee helps recruit and retain nonstop international air service to Portland, and it is asking for our help to identify corporations that travel internationally. The goal is to generate support for the nonstop flights to Tokyo and Amsterdam. Currently Delta Air Lines is the only carrier to provide these nonstops via PDX.
It is important for each of us to be involved because these international flights provide access to global markets and make a vital contribution to the region’s economy in terms of jobs and investment. Portland is the smallest city in the country with nonstop service to both Europe and Asia, which means we have to work harder than other markets to retain our flights to Tokyo and Amsterdam. With your input on this survey, the committee will have good information for working with Delta now and in the future, and that means we can better meet the needs of local companies and individual travelers.
As we have all seen in recent months, airlines will cancel service when they are not getting the necessary return on investment. Retaining and eventually growing nonstop international air service through PDX is imperative!
Thank you in advance for participating in this critical effort. Please respond by October 16, 2009.
Click here to take the survey
*Note: Drawing will be held on Monday, October 26, 2009. Winner will be contacted via email or phone. Good luck!
Need proof that identity theft can happen to anyone? Federal Reserve Board chairman Ben Bernanke recently announced that he and his family were victimized by an intricate identity fraud scheme. Nearly 10 million Americans fell victim to identity theft fraud in 2008, according to the Javelin Strategy and Research.
The Bernankes became a statistic when Anna Bernanke, the chairman's wife, had her purse stolen a year ago. The purse contained a driver's license, credit cards, a Social Security card and the Bernankes' checkbook; each check featured their bank account number, address, and phone number. It was only a matter of time before the crook starting cashing checks. Bernanke was one of the hundreds of consumers affected, when a convicted scam artist, Clyde Austin Gray Jr., known as "Big Head," reportedly orchestrated a gang of thieves to swipe checks, credit cards, military IDs, and other personal records—stealing around $2.1 million from individuals and financial institutions.
“No one is exempt from becoming a victim of identity theft,” said Robert W.G. Andrew, CEO of Better Business Bureau serving Alaska, Oregon, and Western Washington. "These days, consumers need to be more vigilant and proactive to protect themselves."
Your BBB provides the following tips to help guard personal information:
- Avoid carrying a passport, birth certificate, or Social Security Card with you unless absolutely necessary. Don't store Social Security numbers, passwords or other personal identification numbers in a cell phone or PDA.
- Never keep private documents in unsecured locations, such as a car or office. At home, invest in a fireproof lock box or safe to store important documents.
- Use a locked mailbox or post office box to send and receive mail. If using an unsecured mailbox, remove mail promptly after delivery. If going on vacation, call the U.S. Postal service at 1-800-275-8777 to request a vacation hold.
- Sign new credit cards as soon as you receive them and write “check photo ID” on the back. Cut up or shred expired cards. Do not carry more cards than you really need. Report lost or stolen credit cards to the issuer immediately.
- Monitor bank and credit card statements for fraudulent activity. Get a free annual credit report from www.AnnualCreditReport.com, 1-877-322-8228.
Take a stand against identity theft and promote safe information handling practices: Carefully dispose of outdated personal files you no longer need. Shred documents and junk mail for free at BBB's Secure Your ID Day:
Date and Time: Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Saturn East - 3265 SW Sundial St., Troutdale, OR 97060
Apply for $1,000 scholarship - Deadline is Dec. 1, 2009
Oregon high school students are eligible for a $1,000 scholarship. Your Better Business Bureau is now accepting applications.BBB Foundation offers three Students of Integrity Scholarships in conjunction with the Business of the Year Torch Awards. Scholarships will be awarded to one student in each state: Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington. The scholarships are designed to support students who recognize the importance of ethical and responsible marketplace practices.
2010 BBB Students of Integrity Scholarship deadline: Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009Eligibility Requirements:
- Student of the 2010 or 2011 graduating class who will be attending college after graduation.
- Actively reside and attend high school in Alaska, Oregon or Western Washington.
- Have a good academic standing and a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Essay Theme: Maintaining ethics and integrity in a tough economy.
Rules and Details: Visit www.oregon.bbb.org/scholarship for more information and application forms.
Questions: Contact Laura Fitzgerald, BBB Foundation Coordinator at BBBFoundation@thebbb.org. |
503-648-1102 | 
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