Free NECN Workshop Feb. 4: Get Your News Out: Learn the basics of press release writing, social media campaigns and more

Woman is interviewed by TV news crew.

Photo by Lisa Loving

Do you dream of motivating the public to support your nonprofit or grassroots project? Are you inspired but looking for support and information about how to get the word out?

Join NECN’s Lisa Loving for a live workshop on how to publicize your events, activities and projects, noon-2 p.m Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, on Zoom and in person at NECN’s offices in the King Neighborhood Facility, 4815 NE 7th Ave., Portland, 97211.

At the end of this workshop, you will have a general overview of: creating relationships with media gatekeepers; building up a social media following that acts when you need it to; writing press releases and getting them out to the media; creating electronic newsletters; basic graphic design tools and more.

A 30-minute refreshment break will be held at the halfway mark in the workshop so participants can socialize and share ideas informally.

Participants will receive a workbook of links and resources for future study and support in their projects.

Loving says she hopes participants will learn a little bit about the bigger picture of grassroots public relations but ultimately innovate their own approach.

“So many people all throughout our networks are building big beautiful ideas into concrete projects,” Loving says. “We’d like to help those folks get the word out on their events and services and build towards even bigger things in the future.”

Loving is the communications director at the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods, and author of “Street Journalist: Report the News in Your Community.” She worked for 10 years as the news editor at The Skanner News in Portland and Seattle, and 30 years as a producer/reporter/director at KBOO Community Radio.

The workshop is free, but RSVP is required. Email Lisa@necoalition.org for links and more information.

JOB OPENING: NECN Executive Director

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Title: Executive Director

Status: Full-time, Exempt Position

Salary: $64,000-69,000 Annually, Plus Benefits

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

We encourage BIPOC, disabled, LGBTQIA, and younger members of our diverse communities to apply. The qualifications & skills listed will be needed on the job, HOWEVER, if you feel you don’t hit every mark, that’s ok! Any combination of education, work experience, volunteer experience & life experience will be taken into consideration.

NECN is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, nonprofit coalition working in 12 culturally diverse and vibrant inner North and Northeast Portland neighborhoods with a focus on civic engagement, issue advocacy, leadership development, and community project support. 

Founded in 1974, the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN) was founded by community members to address community issues and create effective solutions on a grassroots level. 

As part of the Portland Neighborhood System, NECN serves as one of seven district coalitions collaborating with the Office of Community and Civic Life and the City’s 95 neighborhood associations to advance neighborhood livability through highly inclusive civic engagement and grassroots community-building activities. NECN believes in creating healthy communities by engaging citizens to become directly involved in determining how their community evolves.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY

The Executive Director provides leadership in formulating and implementing NECN’s mission, values, goals, and programs. Key areas of responsibility are resource/partnership development, strategic and annual planning, financial management, program development, evaluation and management, human resources, public policy monitoring and advocacy strategies, community relations, and legal/contract compliance.

REPORTS TO

NECN Board of Directors

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Resource/Partnership Development 

  • In cooperation with the Board and staff, pursue fund development and strategic partnerships

  • Manage relationships with grantors; assure compliance with grant reporting requirements

  • Assure positive and proactive relationships with all NECN Fiscal Sponsorship Projects; provide support and oversight

Strategic and Annual Planning 

  • In cooperation with the Board and staff, provide leadership in organizing strategic planning, developing and implementing plans, assuring regular review of plans to celebrate accomplishments and update goals

  • Provide support to the Board, staff, and committees in developing and implementing projects and plans

  • In cooperation with the staff, develop an annual programmatic work plan for Board approval


Financial Management 

  • Oversee an appropriate accounting system and compliance with Board-approved fiscal policies and procedures

  • Work closely with the Executive Committee to develop a proposed annual budget for adoption by the Board and manage the approved budget

  • Ensure the development of accurate and complete financial statements for monthly Board review

  • Oversee implementation of Fiscal Sponsorship policies, procedures, and agreements

Program Development, Evaluation, and Management 

  • Proactively explore opportunities for collaboration to broaden civic engagement with communities of color and other underrepresented groups

  • Provide hands-on leadership in incubating, launching, and evaluating programs and services based on the opportunities, interests, and needs of the Northeast Coalition’s neighborhood associations and other stakeholders

  • Provide oversight and management of annual programmatic work plan; programs including:  Neighborhoods Program, Community Initiatives, Community Committees, Fiscal Sponsored Projects, and Special Projects

Human Resources

  • Hire, supervise, evaluate, and provide support to NECN staff and volunteers

  • Assist the Board with board development activities including board recruitment, orientation, training, evaluation, and recognition

  • Strengthen the Board-staff team, fostering opportunities for staff and board members to work jointly with neighborhood associations and other groups and to bring people together across boundaries on issues of mutual interest

Public Policy Monitoring and Advocacy Strategies

  • Coordinate review of City proposals affecting north/northeast neighborhoods and opportunities for community involvement in policymaking

  • Monitor policy developments and work with the staff and Board to shape NECN's participation in advocacy efforts

Organizational Relationships/Community Relations

  • Serve as NECN's spokesperson (Board Chair also serves as a spokesperson)

  • Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with community-based organizations, local businesses, local government, educational institutions, and media outlets

Legal and Contract Compliance

  • Manage NECN’s legal affairs

  • Ensure adequate insurance for NECN, neighborhood associations, and fiscally-sponsored projects (FSPs)

  • Ensure compliance and appropriate reporting in accordance with contracts and local, state,
    and federal laws

  • Advise neighborhood associations on appropriate nonprofit legal structural requirements for bylaws, articles of incorporation, etc.

Facility Management and Oversight

  • Ensure appropriate maintenance and upkeep of the NECN space

  • Oversee lease agreements, landlord, and space-use partner relations

  • Oversee policies regarding NECN meeting room availability to neighborhood associations and the broader community

  • Plan for future NECN space requirements

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate is a committed lifelong learner and facilitative leader who works in partnership with others (including neighborhood volunteers, board, staff, and community partners) to translate vision into action. This person has a passion for civic engagement and a track-record of community-building experience.

Required:

  • Experience implementing policies and practices related to diversity, equity, and inclusion

  • Substantive management experience (preferably non-profit), including working with a Board of Directors, staff supervision, and program and financial oversight (Delegation to staff and volunteers)

  • Strong cultural competency and experience working with diverse cultural groups

  • Demonstrated leadership and partnership building experience (in paid or volunteer position)

  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective working relationships with staff, public and private agencies, community groups, and the public

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills and strong listening skills

  • Conflict resolution experience and excellent customer service skills

  • Flexibility in hours with the ability to work some nights and weekends

  • Attention to detail and ability to multitask and meet deadlines amidst many competing priorities

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience

Preferred:

  • Public speaking and group facilitation experience

  • Volunteer management experience

  • Proven program development 

  • Event planning experience

  • Familiarity with north/northeast Portland community resources and history 

  • Understanding of the Portland Neighborhood System and City Government

  • Experience navigating various government processes and resources

  • Experience with fundraising, grant management, and development 

  • Commitment to continuous learning related to cultural competency and trauma-informed care principles 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Please submit the following three items:

  • Detailed cover letter demonstrating your understanding of the mission of NECN and how your skills, passion, experience, and aptitude match this position

  • Option to submit a video instead of a cover letter

  • Detailed resume or CV

  • Three professional references (that NECN may contact)

We will start reviewing applications on October 29th, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. The position will be open until filled.

By email to: hiring@necoalition.org with "Hiring Committee: Executive Director" in the subject line.

NECN is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, genetics, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other non-merit factor. 

Farewell Adam, Welcome Jessica: Leadership is Changing at NECN

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NECN staff gifted longtime NECN Executive Director Adam Lyons with a Pendleton blanket last month, as he handed the organization’s leadership to former Associate Director — now Interim Executive Director Jessica Rojas. Staff photo

By Jessica Rojas, NECN Interim Executive Director

It is with great pride and a little sadness that I take the wheel as Interim Executive Director of NECN, and at the same time congratulate my colleague, former Executive Director Adam Lyons, as he moves on to a new position on the staff of newly-elected Portland Commissioner Mingus Mapps. 

On behalf of the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods, I would like to thank Adam for his years of service. Adam began his time at NECN as the Neighborhoods Program Manager but soon found himself in a position of greater leadership. During his tenure at NECN, he stabilized our organization and expanded our scope of work to be more inclusive of low income and houseless community members. He supported us expanding our outreach in the faith sector, which has led to a new Coalition of Alternative Shelter Providers, in collaboration with the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty. 

Adam represented our community on the Office of Community and Civic Life’s Budget Advisory Committee; Port of Portland Community Advisory Committee; Multnomah County Local Implementation Plan; the HereTogether Advisory Board and many other efforts to support community safety. Adam is a dedicated supporter of Right to Dream Too and helped leverage more support for them in addition to other shelters and livability projects in our district. 

He wasn't your average ED, he made time to utilize his artistic skills for our communication needs. He made the best memes for our staff meeting agendas, and  illustrated the poster-sized graphic design for one of our most popular issues of Hey Neighbor: “The Affordable Housing Rabbit Hole.” 

He did this all while finishing a Masters degree in Public Administration, and taking care of his growing family. 

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Like many leaders who served our coalition, Adam put personal energy into our community and work, as this is more than a job or career, but rather our home geography. I know he will continue to look out for North/Northeast Portland and our most vulnerable community members in his new role in Commissioner Mapps’s office. 

With that, NECN is still hard at work. We continue to refine and update our office procedures to reflect the reality of COVID. We have expanded our staff this year and welcome Lisa Loving as our Communications Coordinator and Charlotte MacDonald as our Fiscal Sponsorship Coordinator. Recently our Office Manager, Jona Davis, became NECN’s representative on the Environmental Justice committee at our local chapter of the NAACP. 

We recently received a generous donation from community members whose toy store business closed due to the economic downturn during the pandemic. We were able to share those toys with several organizations who do their own toy distribution/ serve vulnerable families, such as Bradley Angle, Good in the Hood, Oregon Intertribal Breastfeeding Coalition, Unite, Lutheran Family Services and more. 

We are currently wrapping up a large effort for one of our fiscally sponsored projects with the United Congolese Community of Oregon and just sent our 17th issue of Hey Neighbor! to the printer (that is more than 4 years of free community news in the mailbox to over 22,000 people per issue). 

Several of our neighborhood associations are currently active on issues related to air quality, affordable housing, supporting neighbors during times of need/ mutual aid, neighborhood history, emergency preparedness and community safety. Many if not all, would welcome new participation, energy and support. 

Those involved in mutual aid efforts, people who provide support to one another at the grassroots level, those who want to learn from the elders or want to connect with the youth -- you are needed. Employees and local businesses in our neighborhoods are always welcomed. Those who lived here longer than I have been alive to those who just moved here -- you are all welcomed. Maybe you are staying in one of the local shelters, a neighboring camp, or in your vehicle around here. You are welcome and your voice is needed in our collective work. 

With that being said, I look forward to the year ahead serving in this role and continuing the ever evolving craft of supporting North/ Northeast Portland, including those from here since time immemorial, those who have been displaced, and those yet to come. 

Happy New Year 2021!

Jessica Rojas

Interim Executive Director, Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods

NECN Grants Support Covid Relief

When we opened this year’s grant cycle with a new focus on providing sponsorships to event and project-based programs, we were excited to fund the types of community-based programs that our grants have supported in the past.

But those plans were quickly dashed by the Covid-19 crisis. After gathering our team to discuss, we determined that the best use of our grant funds this year would be to give it directly to small organizations that are on the frontlines of helping our community in this trying time.

In response, we quickly pivoted and, in partnership with the MRG Foundation, identified several groups that are doing hard, hands-on work and helping to mitigate the many effects of this crisis, from health concerns to addiction to economic relief.

We’re happy to announce this years grantees, entirely dedicated to helping our community through this crisis.

The organizations that received our grants are

North by Northeast Community Health Clinic, which primarily serves the Black and African American community of North and Northeast Portland.

Right 2 Dream Too, an open air rest area near the Moda Center that provides shelter to those experiencing homelessness.

Portland Street Medicine, which provides direct medical support to the houseless community.

Sabin CDC, which manages affordable housing units.

African Women's Health Coalition, which provides culturally specific health services to the African immigrant community.

Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center, an alternative school that offers academic and vocational training for teens.

Bridges to Change, which provides addiction services, treatment and housing.

Three Years of Hey Neighbor!

Three years ago, we started an experimental project/community newspaper to carve out a way to reach our community more directly and provide an outlet for their voices to be heard as well.

That experiment has blossomed and taken on a life of it’s own and this winter we celebrated the publication of our 12th issue. In a time when newspapers around town and the nation are folding, we feel fortunate to keep this nonprofit, ad-free, hyper-local community newspaper going. Here’s to many more years!

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Board Volunteer Night at Walnut Park Shelter

We were happy to partner last fall with Transition Projects Inc. and the Joint Office of Homeless Services to help gather support for the new Walnut Park Emergency Shelter, which will house community members who are temporarily without roof over their heads.

This winter we joined Walnut Park again for a special volunteer night for members of our board and others to serve this community by serving them food.

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