Welcome to the League of Women Voters of Portland
The League of Women Voters of Portland is a nonpartisan political organization that promotes informed and active participation in government. Membership is open to all, men and women, who are interested in learning how the government operates and have a desire to make a difference.
The League of Women Voters of Portland is a nonpartisan political organization that promotes informed and active participation in government. Membership is open to all, men and women, who are interested in learning how the government operates and have a desire to make a difference.
Making the Greatest Place
Get Involved in Planning Our Region’s Future
Metro Councilor Robert Liberty challenged League members at the September 15 general meeting to get involved in making the critical decisions facing the Portland metropolitan region over the next year. (read more)
Russian Delegation to arrive October 10
October will find League members showcasing accountable governance practices to a delegation of six Russian visitors through the Open World Program. The group of five delegates and one facilitator will be with us October 10 – 18 for a week long field trip of meetings, site visits, discussions, and dinners.
Meetings with the Russians will take the place of our general meeting. There are three opportunities for League members to meet the delegates and learn more about their interests and experiences in Russia.
Meet the Russians!
WELCOMING RECEPTION
Monday, October 12, 5:00 – 6:30 pm
League members, spouses and significant others are invited to this reception featuring informal visiting and appetizers. This reception will be at a member’s home in SE Portland.
Please RSVP by Friday, October 9th to LWV Portland (M-F; 8:30am-12:30pm 503-228-1675; or info@lwvpdx.org) with number attending.
PRESENTATIONS AT PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
"Open World Russian Delegation Perspective"
Thursday, October 15, 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Smith Memorial Union Room 296; 1825 SW Broadway
Delegates will make short presentations about their work in Russia to the public and PSU’s students. Refreshments and a chance to visit. Sponsored by Friends of Russian Culture, PSU Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, and PSU International Studies.
Public Transit: Max yellow or green line to PSU stop (SW 5th or 6th and Mill)
Parking: Shattock lot at SW Broadway and SW College; Parking structure 2 at SW Broadway and SW Mill.
BRIDGE TO RUSSIA CELEBRATION
Sponsored by Portland-Khabarovsk Sister City Association
Thursday, October 15, 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Portland City Hall, Main Floor
1221 SW 4th Ave
Russian food and music to benefit children's cancer hospital in Khabarovsk, Russia.
Tickets at the door $20; RSVP 503-287-0477
The Russian Delegation
This exchange is sponsored by the LWVUS through the Open World Leadership Center, a program within the National Library of Congress. LWVUS is working with several local Leagues which are serving as host communities. Our delegates will arrive in Washington DC on October 8, spend a day learning about the US system of government there, and then fly to Portland.
This is the third hosting experience of the Portland League through the Open World Program. In September, 2005 a delegation of five Russians was hosted in Portland, and in July, 2007 a group of Ukrainians spent two nights in Portland prior to their week long visit in Salem.
The 2009 delegation includes Russians who are active in the municipalities of the country, specifically in the administration of housing and communal services. Their visit to Portland will include a tour of the city by public transit, visits at US Representative Earl Blumenauer’s office, various departments of the city of Portland and Portland City Council, Multnomah County Elections Division, Metro, at tour of Station Place Tower housing project and the University of Oregon White Stag building. They will also make presentations at Portland State University and be honored guests at Portland’s “Bridge to Russia,” a celebration of Portland’s Russian sister city, Khabarovsk. Arrangements have been made for each delegate to job shadow a Portland counterpart in their daily activities. The delegation will also visit the Oregon Coast.
The delegates come from wide ranging areas of Russia, from Apatity, 700 miles north of St. Petersburg to Orsk in the south Ural Mountains. They will stay in two homes: four delegates at the home of Mike and Debbie Aiona, and two with the Dunn-Bernstein family, neighbors of Pat Osborn. The host family experience is an important part of the Open World Program.
Planning for this visit began in late spring. A committee of ten League members has been sharing ideas on how to host the delegates. Interpreter arrangements, transportation, publicity, and meeting arrangements are part of this process. Pat Osborn has served as the coordinator for the effort. Our League receives a $3000 grant for these services, plus a budget to cover expenses of meals, activities, transportation and interpretation.
“This project calls on League members to be guides for best government practices – it’s fun and stimulating work, and I hope as many members as possible will come out and meet our Russian delegates and learn about their impressions and experiences,” states Betsy Pratt, Portland League President.
