Sustain the Spirit!On August 8th, 2007, the Oregon 150 Board of Director formally adopted “Sustain the Spirit” as the official tagline for Oregon’s sesquicentennial. Thanks to all who contributed suggestions for the tagline, which is explained below. Oregon has always been a state of dreamers, of innovators. At the fork in the Oregon Trail, some pioneers went to California to look for gold. Others came to Oregon to build community. This is a state rich with Native American culture and tradition. It is a state that pioneered the first Bottle Bill and public beach laws. This is a state that has given birth to great business innovations from the oscilloscope to the fastest computer chip in the world to the Waffle sole. It is a state that serves as home to incredible artists; a state of small towns and cities where livability and community come first. And this is a state that has always prized its natural environment and is now leading the way towards sustainable practices—both economic and environmental. Oregon has always been a state where things look different. The sesquicentennial is a time to remember what is great about Oregon—to celebrate and sustain the Oregon spirit and go confidently forward. Our appreciation to Portland’s Wieden + Kennedy, which developed (pro bono) both the Oregon 150 logo as well as integrating it with the new tagline. Oregon 150 to Seek Lottery Dollars for Statewide Community Grant Program for Community Sesquicentennial ProjectsOregon 150 is preparing a strategy for obtaining $2 million in public funding for planning and project grants to Oregon communities. Concurrently, the board is creating a structure by which the grants would be awarded. At Oregon 150’s August meeting, the board approved in concept a community grant program that would have two funding tiers. Tier One grants would have no matching requirement, though certain planning activities could be required. Seed money would be given out to county-based, sesquicentennial planning commissions and Oregon’s nine federally recognized tribes. Two funding formulas are under consideration: a flat sum regardless of population or a base amount augmented by pro-rated dollars based on population (a similar formula is used by the Oregon Cultural Trust). Tier Two grants would be awarded to successful applicants who, by virtue of factors such as geographic location and cultural diversity, demonstrate the virtue of their programming for the sesquicentennial. As Oregon 150’s business will conclude by October of 2009, Tier Two grants would be slated to end by September 30, 2009. New Office Space for Oregon 150Oregon 150 will occupy donated office space in Portland’s PacWest building thanks to John Russell, Portland real estate developer and civic activist. These larger offices will enable all of Oregon 150’s staff and contractors to be in one location, as well as Oregon 150’s valued advisors and loaned-staff, such as Susanne Smith, James Hamrick, and Elisabeth Zinser. There is no timetable, and nothing has been inked, but we are optimistic the arrangement will move forward. September 12 Meeting CancelledThe September 12, 2007 Oregon 150 Board of Directors Meeting scheduled to meet in Astoria, Oregon has been cancelled due to numerous scheduling conflicts of the Board, Ex Officios and Advisors. The next regular meeting will be Wednesday, October 10, 2007, at the University Place Conference Center in Portland, Oregon. We wish to thank Board Member Jerry Ostermiller of the Columbia River Maritime Museum for his willingness to host the Board and accept his generous offer to come to Astoria when we resume meeting around the state. Read the July 11th, 2007 minutes here. “Business is Good” Bus TourOregon Business Magazine is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a three-week bus tour to every corner of the state. The organizing committee includes several members of the Oregon 150 Board (Jack McGowan, Randy Miller, and Senator Betsy Johnson) who will be spreading the word about the state’s sesquicentennial celebration. Board President Sidway will host a leg of the tour in Baker City on September 12th. US Postal Service Meets With Oregon 150The United States Postal Service is considering producing an Oregon sesquicentennial stamp. Oregon 150 is preparing a brief to help develop a unique stamp that would deliver the message about Oregon’s birthday. Official stamp issues could involve special ceremonies at each post office across Oregon in the year 2009. |
