In early 2010 Leadership Portland Alumni and friends chartered a Toastmasters club and named it “Suite Talkers.”

What is Toastmasters?  We practice our communication and leadership skills in a friendly environment, always making it fun and giving each other constructive feedback.

Why is it valuable?  You have to be able to communicate effectively with everything you do, from talking with coworkers and friends to influencing potential customers.  By participating in Toastmasters you will:

• Learn to communicate more effectively
• Become a better listener
• Improve your presentation skills
• Increase your leadership potential
• Build your ability to motivate and persuade
• Increase your self confidence

We invite you to come to a Suite Talkers meeting to learn more.  We meet on the first and third Friday’s from noon to 1:30 PM.  We meet in a “suite” at Tonkon Torp located in Pioneer Tower, 888 SW Fifth Avenue, Portland.

For more information, please contact Craig Johanson, craigrjohanson@hotmail.com

A vibrant arts scene with music, galleries, street fairs, and arts centers means more energy and life in a community. Business and community leaders play a big role in keeping the arts healthy and fresh by offering their expertise and strategic insight on arts boards of directors. Hone your leadership skills and sign up for Art of Leadership, a unique five-workshop series offered by Business for Culture & the Arts (BCA). Over half of BCA’s 300 program graduates serve on the boards of Portland’s favorite arts organizations. Learn more and sign-up for Art of Leadership at www.nwbca.org. Deadline for applications has been extended to 9/10. 503-228-2977.

Lloyd District Bike Parking Expansion Project Opens 54 Covered Spots

Leadership Portland’s Impact Project Team The Wheelies formed in September 2009 to enhance Portland transportation. They focused on relieving Lloyd District congestion through better bicycle parking. The group teamed up with the Lloyd Transportation Management Authority (Lloyd TMA) to identify ideal locations before partnering with the Doubletree Hotel to install new covered, secure, and well-lit bike parking spaces, open to public use, on Doubletree property. The group met with Lloyd TMA staff, negotiated funding, and coordinated installation of 31 bicycle racks and public signage. The group also developed surveys, letters, and a step-by-step process Lloyd TMA will use to site more bike parking corrals.

Read more about the project and the Friday opening in the Portland Business Journal.

The Wheelies team members are: Bob Gravely, Jennifer Boe, Jason Brauser, Kaleb Miller, Lance Poehler

Leadership Portland community project helps at-risk youth
One  component of the Alliance’s Leadership Portland program is  a community impact project, and this year ice cream became  a focus for one Leadership Portland team called Project Catalyst. Members  of Project Catalyst chose to work with with New Avenues for  Youth (NAFY), a Portland-based nonprofit that helps at-risk  and homeless youth to exit street life and lead healthy, independent  lives. Five years ago, NAFY won a competitive process to operate  the Ben and Jerry’s “Partner Shop” franchise at 524 SW Yamhill.  The ‘Scoop Shop’ serves as a workforce training opportunity  for youth in the NAFY programs. Project  Catalyst is working with NAFY to develop an updated business  plan for the Ben and Jerry’s Scoop Shop. The five-year business  plan will assist NAFY in:

• Moving  the Scoop Shop to a more sustainable revenue stream;
• Creating  additional jobs and/or job-readiness for homeless and at-risk  youth; and
• Solidifying  the NAFY brand in relation to the Ben and Jerry’s franchise.
  

Because  of the successful involvement with Leadership Portland, the  Yamhill Scoop Shop has renamed Ben & Jerry’s flavor Berry Berry Extraordinary in honor of the Portland Business Alliance. The Project Catalyst team is: Kirsten  Pennington, CH2M Hill; Jennifer Gilstrap Hearn, Wayfinders Strategy; Chris Oxley, Rose Quarter; Brian Speer, Wells Fargo;  Karin Wandtke, McDonald Jacobs

Inspired by our conversations during the education focused program day, one of your fellow LP colleagues shared these Newsweek articles (links below) and thought you’d be interested, too.

Why We Must Fire Bad Teachers
In no other profession are workers so insulated from accountability.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/234590

Schoolyard Brawl
A leading reformer and a union head square off over teacher tenure.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/234592

Blackboard Jungle
Freshly minted teachers have passed every test but one: how to control their classrooms.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/234593