Some of you may know that a number of Leadership Portland alums and current class members are involved in The Connector Project, which proposes to use a unique scientific survey to study connections in Clark, Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington Counties. By doing so, the Project will identify ways to recognize and facilitate the work of Connectors, creating collaboration in our community where there was previously none. The Connector Project board has been working hard for the last year raising money to complete this important project.

The project group is hosting a wine tasting fundraiser event next week.  At the event, you can learn more about this innovative project, catch up with some LP alums and get connected with others in the region.  Event details are below.

Date: Thursday November 12, 2009
Time: Bus departs at 11:00 a.m.Bus returns at 6:00 p.m.
Pick-Up / Drop-Off Location: In front of Keller Auditorium
Visit select Dundee, OR wineries

Cost: $100 (Cost includes transportation, tasting fees, snacks and picnic lunch)

Please make checks out to “OCF – Connector Project”
Payment can be mailed to: P.O. Box 19392 Portland, OR 97280

For more information visit us here: http://connectorprojectportland.com/

Questions about event to: Jeremy Solly, jdsolly@gmail.com

Broken up into 6 teams, the 34 member class was give the charge of benefiting a community nonprofit with a project. The nonprofits who garnered the support from the teams were Open Meadow, Hands On Greater Portland, Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland, Young Entrepreneurs, Friendly House and Sowing Seeds of Success. From generating marketing concepts to creating a program gives kids needed dental services, all the projects gave back to the community in a meaningful way.

Congratulations, graduates. Thank you to the Portland Business Alliance for continuing such an important program for leaders, and the member companies who sponsored the class participation. Also, a big thank you goes out to the Leadership Portland Program Committee, made up largely of past graduates, who help put on the program days throughout the year.

Introducing the Leadership Portland Class of 2009:

Mayra Arreola, OAME; Ann Berryman, OMSI; Jeff Borlaug, Norris, Beggs & Simpson; Kacia Brockman, Energy Trust of Oregon, Kristen Brown, NW Natural; Rebecca Brown, Comcast; Toni Carlo, United Way of Columbia-Willamette; R.J. Cervantes, Office of Multnomah County, Commissioner Deborah Kafoury; Bill Christensen, Portland Trail Blazers; Michelle Correll, Wells Fargo; Sarah Crooks, Perkins Coie; Shuki Einstein, CH2M HILL; Jennifer Ewell, Knowledge Learning Corporation; Lisa Fajardo-Faust, Pacific Continental Bank; Caroline Harris Cowne, Tonkon Torp LLP; Dana Haynes, Portland Community College; Margie Humphreys, Portland Center for the Performing Arts; Lisa Hylton, Willamett University for MBA Professionals; Craig Johanson, Hitachi Consulting; Leanne Johnston, Elliott Associates, Inc.; Brandon Kirkbride, Bank of America; Elizabeth Knight, Dunn Carney Allen Higgins & Tongue, LLP; David Lippoff, Edelman; Anthony Miller, Stepping Stone Solutions; Lexie Mobley, Consolidated Federal Credit Union; Stephanie Morgan, American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter; Kari Nordquist, ACME Business Consulting, LLC; Matthew Norman, Fortis Construction Inc.; Jeon Resvani, Con-way; Veronica Rinard, Travel Portland; Ryan Robinson, Oregon State University Foundation; Gregory Saliba, Capital Pacific Bank; Jeffery Savage, Wells Fargo, Stan Sittser, Portland General Electric; Dana Tierney, Regence; Cyrus Vafi, US Bank.

After all the class of 2008 smack talk, they only had one class member show up. I’ll pause here so you can all scoff….congratulations to the Class of 2005 with the most participants, and Heather Busse, winner of the stay at the Nines.

During the evening, we were all discussing who the next prize donor should be – we’ve had two hotel donations from previous class member (thanks to the Portland Marriott and The Nines). My suggestion to Elia Popovich, 2005, and Foster Pepper attorney (hint, hint) was an hour of legal services. Maybe two.

I proceeded to ask him two questions and he told me my bill for $300 was in the mail. Just like an attorney.

We hope to see you all next time, and of course, prize donations are always welcome to info@leadershipportland.com, and we’ll work out the details.

The Class of 2008 is doing some smack talk about the fact that they show up at a 5:1 ratio, and normally take home the prize, (the class with the most attendees is put in a drawing) last month – a one night stay at the Portland Marriott.

Join us — in an economy like this — can you afford to pass up networking and, ahem, free drinks?

The idea: Get all the leadership program participants and other emerging and established leaders in one room, and see what happens.

Don’t miss it, and for $10, it’s a deal. (And, donations to the Oregon Food Bank are appreciated.)

Have you told someone about the program, and encouraged them to apply? If not, do it today!

Click here for the application.

Alex, Amanda, Megan and Stephen, the eROI team. (From top left)

Well, the quick answer is, they did it all. And isn’t it amazing?

I think we all need to take a second, step back and say thanks.

Alex told us what a great job they could do (aka strategy), Megan held our hand during the process and put up with our color indecision (aka project management), Amanda handled the web development flawlessly, and Stephen did the beautiful design work.

You know how you can feel what a great place to work a company is, just by dealing with the people who work there? Well, let me tell you, eROI must be a great place to work, because the people are terrific, and as you can see, they do great work. I wouldn’t ever want to build a blog, website or email campaign without them. If you have a project they would be good for – consider them, won’t you?

On behalf of the Leadership Portland Alumni Association, thanks, eROI for building us this tool to communicate with our members. You were wonderful.

If you get a second, make sure you thank them in the comments.

Here are the details

Selling in a Down Economy, presented by Stepping Stone Solutions

Date: Thursday, March 26, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Location: Kennedy School, 5736 NE 33^rd

Cost: $200, with a $50 discount for Portland Business Alliance members

Register Online Here, but call 503-421-1936 if you want to take advantage of the $50 discount and to register.

Have an event you’d like to tell everyone about? Let us know at info@leadershipportland.com.

Make sure you join us next month!

(semi-regular, once in a while, or just when you feel like it) contributor on www.leadershipportland.com.

Uncle Sam Wants you to Blog!

If you don’t think you’re up for writing, but want to contribute a story idea, just to go

info@leadershipportland.com to contribute your ideas, and one of our writers will look at it. Lastly, join us tomorrow, March 18 at Roots Brewing, 1520 SE 7th, starting at 5:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome. We often buy the first and second rounds of alumni who show up. And think about it. We’d really love you to join us, both at Happy Hour and as a new blogger. It’ll be fun. Promise.