Holiday schedule and a great opportunity for a Portland organization
by Gina.
For those of you on our mailing list--this is pretty much a duplicate of what was sent out yesterday. For those of you not on our mailing list, you can sign up for it on our website if you'd like.
Ok, our holiday schedule. We will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 26th and 27th. I hope you all have a restful Thanksgiving and that great "bonus" day on Friday. We'll be back open on Saturday.
We are changing up our regular schedule a bit around Christmas. We will be closed from 3 pm on Tuesday, 12/22 (notice the early closing time) through Saturday, 12/26.
We will be open on the Mondays before and after Christmas--12/21 and 12/28 from 10 am to 6 pm. We will be closed Friday, 1/1 and back open on Saturday, 1/2.
Regarding classes, we have classes scheduled into the first part of December. Please check the list on the website and call or stop by the store to see if space is still available. We will take a little break from classes the first couple of weeks after the first of the year, and will send out our list the first half of January.
Please keep those comments coming in for the free pattern sources and your thoughts on a couple of fabric lines. I'd love to hear what you think.
Finally, this was passed along to me by a past prof of mine from the Urban Studies department at PSU. I know many of you are involved with organizations doing wonderful work. This could be a terrific opportunity for you. Check it out!
Nohad A. Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning
Community Development Faculty Group
Invitation to Community Partners
For over a decade, students majoring in Community Development at Portland State University have been helping local organizations extend their capacity through special projects co-designed by students and community partners.
Previously, project proposals have been student identified or informally submitted. This year we are reaching out to the larger community to expand our base of potential partners and diversify the types of the projects we engage.
We invite you to submit a brief project proposal.
We know how busy you are, so we are only asking you to answer a few basic questions about your organization and write a paragraph or two describing your project. It’s easy, just click here or use the attached form. Trouble accessing the electronic survey; the full url is provided below.
When are proposals due?
Proposals accepted any time up to January 5, 2010.
What sort of projects qualify?
We are looking for projects that help students build organizing and planning skills. While the projects usually require considerable hands-on work by students, projects should not be direct service delivery. For example, it would be appropriate for students to develop a tutoring program and recruit and coordinate volunteers, but it would not be appropriate for students to simply volunteer as tutors.
Previous projects include event organizing, opinion surveys, needs assessments, community population profiles, program evaluations, brochure and website development, new program development, community outreach, fund-raising, grant writing and more. The possibilities are almost endless and students are ready to provide creative solutions to your needs.
How many students will be working on the project and how much time will they contribute?
We are accepting projects for groups of 4 to 8 students. Each student can be expected to contribute about 120 hours.
How will projects be selected?
Using the project narratives you provide, a screening committee of three faculty members and two advanced CD students will review the requests and select the best 8-12 projects. Students in the class will then sign up for project teams.
When will community partners learn if their project has been selected?
We will inform everyone of the status of their proposal by the last week in January, 2010.What happens then?
If your project is selected, students who have chosen to work on your project will contact you and ask for a face to face meeting to begin the planning process. You and the student team co-design the project during the first part of the winter term (February to March). You provide general direction and review, they do the leg work. Students implement the project during the remainder of the winter term and all of the spring term (April to June). As the project proceeds, a faculty member will periodically check in with you to assess group progress. Toward the end of spring term community partners will be invited to a presentation and evaluation of project outcomes.
What is required of the community partner?
Students groups are expected to be self-directing, but we have learned that successful projects depend on regular contact with an organizational leader who has decision-making authority. Therefore it is important that any proposals include the name and position of staff assigned to work with our students on this project.
Do students receive preparation and guidance for working with community partners?
Student projects are guided by three faculty members during a year long core course required of all majors. Students are trained in research techniques, group facilitation, project planning and evaluation. Their work is informed by their courses in the CD major that help them understand social issues, the tradition of community development, and develop the skills to be effective advocates for social change.
What are some of the previous projects and partners?
·
Assisted the Sexual Assault Resource Center to develop and implement a volunteer recruitment campaign·
Developed and implemented a trail use survey for Friends of Forest Park·
Worked with Bike Farm, a cycling oriented community group, to plan a block party to raise awareness and increase membership·
Developed case studies of "Living Buildings" for the Cascadia Green Building Council·
With the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, produced a detailed plan for bicycle boulevards in North and Northeast Portland·
Assisted 1000 Friends of Oregon with their 2009 Climate Change and Transportation Advocacy effort in the Oregon Legislature·
Worked with the Community Watershed Stewardship Program to convene a group of private citizens who expressed interest in installing bioswales·
Assisted nonprofit HOST Development to organize a sustainable living event for new and potential homeowners of Helensview.Who should I contact for more information?
Professor Charles Heying
heyingc@pdx.edu 503-725-8416Professor Richard White whiter@pdx.edu 503-725-4046
Are there any online resources that might be useful?
School of Urban Studies and Planning http://www.pdx.edu/usp/
Community Development Major http://www.pdx.edu/usp/community-development
Faculty Profiles http://www.pdx.edu/usp/profile/
Community Development Student Group http://cdsg.groups.pdx.edu/wiki/doku.php
CD Project RFP http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=abjByC_2fxAl6_2fSXMOWP5xHw_3d_3d