Oregon’s communities of color suffer lower high school graduation rates and incomes than white Oregonians, Oregon women earn 79 cents to every dollar earned by men, and one in three children live below the poverty line in Crook and Jefferson Counties. Arts organizations still struggle to keep their lights on, and rural towns still fight to balance economic and environmental needs. The new book, State of Giving(OSU Press 2015), by Greg Chaillé and Kristin Anderson, tells the stories of ordinary citizens fighting against Oregon’s most intractable challenges.
Monday, June 22 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Deschutes Public Library – Downtown | 601 NW Wall St.
Featuring many Central Oregon donors, volunteers, and nonprofits leaders, the book is a groundbreaking celebration of Oregonians’ civic spirit and an impassioned call-to-arms for people across the city and the state to get more involved. State of Giving’sBend book launch will provide a unique opportunity for Central Oregonians to hear from community leadersabout how each of us can help our region and state progress.
For their Bend book launch, Chaillé and Anderson will lead a public discussion at the downtown branch of Deschutes Public Library. Attendees will hear about the good work going on in their communities, learn more about how they can get engaged and give back, and talk to some of Central Oregon’s most exciting nonprofit leaders (from the Latino Community Association, Arts Central, and the Oregon Natural Desert Association). The event is free and open to the public.
“Central Oregon’s communities, and communities across Oregon, are filled with people who are doing tremendous work on behalf of others,” says Chaillé. Butthe people who are giving so much back to their communities seldom get their impact recognized. “Their work—the work of donors, volunteers, and nonprofit staff, and of others who are civically engaged—is transformative; it changes lives and landscapes and improves our daily experience,” says Anderson. “We wanted to share their stories and show how their innovations and generosity are strengthening our state. This event will let the public learn about three great nonprofits, about general pathways into getting involved, and about how to help strengthen our communities.”
According to Anderson and Chaillé, nonprofits and community members have played an important role in Central Oregon’s history and present. Among the regional organizations featured in the book are Caldera, the High Desert Museum, the Sisters Folk Festival,the Americana Project, Bend Family Kitchen, Warm Springs Museum, Jefferson County Historical Society, and conservation partnerships that have emerged in the Ochoco & Malheur forests.
Some of the Central Oregon community members highlighted include Don Kerr of the High Desert Museum; the Hollerns (and the corporate philanthropy of Brooks Resources), Bob Chandler, former editor of the Bend Bulletin, Kathy Deggendorfer of Americana Project (and Gert Boyle’s daughter) and Jarold Ramsey of the Jefferson County Historic Society (and a Pulitzer-Prize nominated poet).
“This work is not about book sales,” says the authors. “It’s about spreading the message that anyone, no matter who you are, can make a difference, and that Oregon’s future depends upon more people realizing that and getting involved.”
“State of Giving is an inspiring, essential, and accessible history of the unique community spirit that makes Oregon the special place we call home. It sounds a timely call to action that clearly and effectively shows each of us as Oregonians the philanthropic legacy we inherit and how we can all build upon that legacy in every corner of our state.”
– U.S. Senator Ron Wyden
“A new book, State of Giving: Stories of Oregon Volunteers, Donors and Nonprofits, is a sweeping compendium of the best of Oregon’s community-minded people. It recognizes the value of individual and collective effort to better our communities by reaching out to those in need and by enriching the culture through art, music and theater.”
– Editorial, Medford Mail-Tribune
