Who
is Onward Oregon?
If you happen to be in the Portland area and would like to meet with any
one of the volunteer staff folks at Onward Oregon, just ask. Visit our
contact page to
send us your request. To learn more about us,
start here.
www.OnwardOregon.org/
Stepping Up on Climate
Onward
Oregon is launching a
series on climate
change.
Climate change may be
the greatest challenge
of our time, touching
every aspect of life on
earth. Higher
temperatures, rising sea
levels, increased
wildfires, changes in
weather patterns—already
affecting Oregon—are
projected to accelerate
in the coming decades,
threatening serious,
even catastrophic
ecological, economic,
and social consequences.
Leading scientists now
warn that we are
approaching a tipping
point, beyond which
runaway global warming
may be unstoppable. To
dodge this, we must rein
in greenhouse gas
emissions worldwide, and
immediately begin to
reduce the carbon
dioxide in the
atmosphere. So, what
shall we do?
It is easy to get
overwhelmed—but I see
many reasons to feel
hope. All of us, rich
and poor, right and
left, rural and urban,
depend on the earth’s
climate system for
survival. This crisis
offers the chance for
the whole world to come
together in a common
purpose; cooperating to
prevent catastrophic
heating may unite us as
nothing else can.
Oregon has the
opportunity to lead the
shift to a sustainable,
low-carbon economy. To
do this requires both
knowledge and political
will, and the next few
years will be decisive.
At Onward Oregon, we
believe we can help. In
this series, we will
describe the latest
science, discuss
innovative policy
proposals, and offer
ideas to meet the
challenge. We hope to
inform, educate, and
inspire you. We also
invite you to share your
own ideas and thoughts
about global warming at
Dialog Oregon. Join
us to examine what we
know, what we may learn,
and what we can do,
individually and
together, to meet this
crisis.
I have agreed to edit
this series because, in
the two years that I
have been writing about
climate, the magnitude
of what is at stake has
become stunningly clear.
I worry about the fate
of our beautiful planet,
and about my daughter’s
future. We all must act
to solve the climate
crisis. Please join us.
“This is our moment
on earth. It’s the most
pivotal time in human
history, so far. And it
all is coming down to
our generation in
charge. And our children
are looking to us. If we
squander this, we will
never forgive ourselves.
If we don’t put all of
our energy into saving
this moment for the
future, we will be
culpable in ways that
are indescribable…(so)
we have to capture this
moment and devote all of
our energy to this right
now, until we achieve a
stable future for our
children and
grandchildren.”
Mary C. Wood, University
of Oregon School of Law
Advocate for excellence
in Oregon's public schools
Other News: Rubber Hits the Road Award
Choose the nominees for the Bus Project's Gala Awards
Show and win a prize! The
Wheelie for Outstanding Public
Interest Achievement is currently up
for grabs, and we want your input!
Criteria for nominees
The Wheelie will be awarded to a recent, innovative
Oregon public interest accomplishment. What do we mean
by that?
Recent: We can't just rest on
the laurels of the original bottle bill. Nothing
wilts faster than laurels rested upon. Anything from
this century is eligible: the more recent, the
better.
Innovative: Showing public
policy leadership.
Oregon: Makes Oregon better for
the public – whether the whole state, or a locality.
Local innovations count!
Public Interest Achievement:
Something that got done – whether it's a law put in
place or a program launched – that has real promise
for positive public interest results.
The Issue
In Oregon, one out of three new teachers abandons the profession
within the first three years. This high turn-over costs Oregon
taxpayers an estimated $45 million each year for recruiting and
training new teachers.* But the most significant cost, one that
can’t be quantified in simple dollars and cents, is the negative
impact on the students in public school classrooms. Children who
face the greatest learning challenges are typically taught by
the teachers who have the least experience and who receive
minimal support in learning how to excel in today’s demanding
classroom environment. “Sink or swim” might work at summer camp,
but not as a strategy for developing outstanding classroom
teachers. Mentoring (the process of partnering an experienced
practitioner with someone starting out in the profession) can
make a significant difference – for inexperienced teachers and
for our children.
(*The Oregonian, “The New Dropouts: Teachers”, February
25, 2007)
Go to our action web page to send a
message to your legislator now »
This year, the Oregon Legislature will vote on a bill to
establish mentoring programs in our public schools. House Bill
2574 establishes a solid framework for teacher and principal
mentoring, investing $5 million in the next biennium to
implement mentoring programs for first and second year teachers,
principals and superintendents in Oregon.
The Oregon New Educator Mentor program has bipartisan
support, but it may not receive the necessary start-up funding.
We need to tell our legislators that funding this proven
approach to increasing teacher effectiveness is an important
investment in our children.
Go to our action web page to send a
message to your legislator now »
Here's what the Oregon New Educator Mentor Program will
accomplish:
Increase effectiveness – Studies show that new teachers
with qualified mentors help students reach achievement
levels comparable to those of veteran teachers in the same
district, despite being assigned larger proportions of
low-achieving students. Other studies find that principals
who receive mentoring in their first two years see
improvement that lasts throughout their careers.**
(** Strong, Fletcher, & Villar, 2003, a study
examining the test scores achieved by elementary students of
new teachers. In California, districts implementing the New
Teacher Center model, 74% of new teachers had students who
made test score gains in reading over the year, compared
with 47% and 41% in comparison districts.)
Reduce turnover – Districts implementing best-practice
mentoring programs for new teachers have found significant
reductions in teacher turnover.***
(***Strong & St. John, 2000. Teacher retention was
94% in California school districts using the New Teacher
Center model, compared to 50% in control group districts
over a seven-year period.)
The Oregon New Educator Mentor Program is championed by
Stand for Children and the Chalkboard Project.
Supporters include Governor Kulongoski, the Department of
Education, and teachers, superintendents and school board
members across the state.
Even the best programs can get lost in the shuffle in the
waning days of the legislative session. Urge your legislator to
support a $5 million investment to provide qualified mentors for
new educators in Oregon.
Go to our action web page to send a
message to your legislator now »
Take Action
The time to act is now. Tell your legislator that Oregon’s
school children need effective new educators, and Oregon
taxpayers want to reduce the $45 million annual cost of teacher
turn-over. For more information about this issue visit
Stand for Children
and the
Chalkboard Project
or
take action now »
Click
on
the
Onward
Oregon
Banner
above
to
examine
our
Blog!
Raising
The
Bar
I want
to let you know about Onward
Oregon, a web-based
community working for progressive
change in Oregon. Here's what it's
about:
Like MoveOn, but for Oregon
(and a lot fewer emails)
If you're fed-up with the undue
influence of the radical right in
Oregon and our nation's capital,
you've found a home. You can be a
part of Onward Oregon and make a
positive difference.
How it works
We’ll send you an email now and
then, letting you know how you can
join with fellow progressive
Oregonians to have a real impact.
Often, it takes just a click or two.
Join with us
By joining forces we can express our
progressive values powerfully. In
2004, about 10,000 Oregonians joined
Onward Oregon. We hope to double
that number by the end of 2006.
Imagine all of us working together
on the issues that challenge Oregon
today. Help us grow, and we’ll help
your voice be heard.
Visit OnwardOregon.org.
Check us out. Join with us. Tell
your friends!
www.OnwardOregon.org
Onward Oregon is the web home
of
Oregon Apollo,
the ground-breaking ballot measure to ensure that Oregon remains a
leader in clean and renewable energy and moves toward independence from
foreign oil.
Learn more >>
What's New
Fix Measure 37!
If you are in the Portland area, please attend a rally at Portland's Pioneer Square for smart land use, Tuesday, May 1, from 11:30 AM to 1 PM. The Oregon electorate was misled in 2004 when it voted for Measure 37; developers, speculators and corporations, not small landowners, have been the prime beneficiaries. Now, you can tell the legislature to fix this flawed property rights law.
Get more background info or take action now >>
Bring the Bottle Bill Into the 21st Century
In 1971, Oregon became the first state to create a deposit on bottles to encourage recycling. It is time to modernize this important legislation to include deposits on water and juice bottles. In addition, we need to increase the bottle deposit to 10 cents to adapt to inflation. This has passed the Senate. Encourage your representative to renew Oregon's commitment to this historic bill by passing Senate Bill 707. Get more background info or take action now >>
Pass a Renewable Energy Standard to Power Oregon’s Future
Relying on fossil fuels to power Oregon's energy future threatens our economy and our environment. However, Oregon possesses abundant renewable resources to tackle these serious energy problems. SB 838 would create a Renewable Energy Standard, ultimately requiring that 25% of Oregon's electricity comes from clean, renewable sources by 2025. You can help make this happen! Get more background info or take action now >>
Oregon's Top 40 Legislation
Onward Oregon is tracking some current legislation that your elected officials are creating in Salem. We have selected 40 bills that are important pieces of legislation and could use your support. Learn more >>
Let's Make Oregon
A Progressive Example for the Nation Onward Oregon is part of growing grassroots movement to restore civic power to the people of Oregon and their communities. We envision a state where all of us can enjoy comfort and prosperity, equal opportunity and a beautiful and healthy environment. But this will not happen without your participation. Many Americans have forgotten that government is actually, "We, the people," not—as some would have us believe—an alien, inept or untrustworthy entity. Let us reclaim our constitutional right to a truly democratic government. Our path is not left or right, but onward. Continue reading this article >>
Help effect change:
Join our all-volunteer staff
We have openings for managers, writers and tech leads for issue campaigns; bloggers; county liaisons; organizational partner liaisons and card distributors. Give a few hours a month or more. Work from home. Details here >>
The Onward Oregon Blog
Follow along as our intrepid authors respond to their political and personal experiences in Oregon. Join in the dialog--post your comments.
Bloggers Needed
We're looking for bloggers to write about Oregon issues and experiences, particularly from outside of the Portland area. Send samples of your writing to info@onwardoregon.org. No experience necessary.
Who is Onward Oregon?
If you happen to be in the Portland area and would like to meet with any one of the volunteer staff folks at Onward Oregon, just ask. Visit our contact page to send us your request. To learn more about us, start here.
HAVE WE GOT A JOB FOR YOU!
If you'd like to be part of our all-volunteer team, please email us with your contact info and job interest. If you are in the Portland area and would like to meet with us in person to discuss how you might work with us, just send us a message from our Volunteer Signup Page.
The following are some of the volunteer job opportunities currently available at Onward Oregon:
Campaign Management Team Member – Campaign Writer –
Campaign Technical Team Member - Onward Oregon blogger –
Special Projects — We have ongoing needs for volunteers for special projects. You can volunteer for a project that we have currently identified, or you can tell us what your skills are and we will work with you to see how best to put them to work for Onward Oregon. Some areas where we currently need volunteers include:
Assisting our Volunteer Coordinator with responding to queries by new volunteers and helping maintain a database of volunteers.
Assisting our Legislative Liaison with tracking legislation in the state house and senate to establish when email actions will be most effective.
Volunteering to carry out special technical projects related to the web site and database that Onward Oregon depends on. These projects may involve repair or improvement of existing systems or developing new capacities.
Volunteering to take on small projects as they come up. You will be placed on a list with your skills and interests and we will call you when we have a project for you. Projects may range from handing out Onward Oregon cards at events to assisting with setup at a volunteer orientation to writing a grant proposal to completing a special research project.
Requirements: Varies. You tell us what works for you.
If you'd like to be part of our all-volunteer team, please email us with your contact info and job interest. If you are in the Portland area and would like to meet with us in person to discuss how you might work with us, just send us a message from our Volunteer Signup Page.
Activism
Issues
AlternativeNewsResource.org/
Bookmark! 
Who
is Onward Oregon?
