League of Women Voters of Portland

Thanks, Donors!

Why we need help

The League of Women Voters of Portland is a low-budget nonpartisan volunteer organization. We depend heavily on donations from individuals, businesses and foundations to support the work of our Education Fund, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization. We also need support for member services and for the advocacy work of our 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization.

What you can do

Please consider clicking on the donate buttons to help us pay for the voter services we provide for every election and for our monthly civic education panel discussions. Or as a member, you can volunteer to help with voter services and civic education or to advocate with our Action Team for better government and the rights of the people of Portland and Multnomah County.

Thanks to members, Businesses and foundations for their support

We are grateful to the many League members who donated to our Education Fund in May to help us Meet the Match! We were also helped in 2018 by Portland area businesses: Vernier Software and Technology, MetroEast Community Media, The Neil Kelly Company, and Paloma Clothing. In addition, we recently have received grants from the Carol & Velma Saling Foundation, the Wyss Foundation, the Walsh Foundation, the Rose E. Tucker Charitable Trust, and the Multnomah Bar Foundation to expand our educational work. These donations and grants will help us reach more people throughout the Portland area with our educational services.

Congratulations, Volunteer of the Year!

Volunteer of the Year Award:

Each year at our Local Convention, we recognize a volunteer who has done an outstanding job carrying out a project or projects that advance the mission of the League of Women Voters. The honored “volunteer of the year” is given a framed certificate, flowers and a standing ovation from the members.

Our 2018 Volunteer of the Year:

Voters’ Guide Editor and Nominating Committee Chair, Peggy Bengry, was named the 2017-18 Volunteer of the Year for the League of Women Voters of Portland!

Peggy joined the League of Women Voters of Portland in 2008, shortly after retiring from IBM as a software engineer. She became involved right away as a member of the LWV of Oregon 2008 study committee on Election Methods. She says she was delighted with the welcome she received and the talented, competent people she found in the League.

In 2010, Peggy agreed to be the editor for the LWV of Portland’s Multnomah County Voters’ Guide. She was the Voters’ Guide Editor for the 2010 Primary and General elections and the May 2011 and 2013 elections. In 2012, she was elected to the Portland League Board. From 2013 to 2017, she served as Voter Service Chair and Second Vice President, as well as Voters’ Guide editor.

In 2015 and 2016, when the Portland League lacked an elected president, Peggy was one of the three vice presidents who shared leadership of the League. Her role was to plan and conduct the board meetings. At the same time, Peggy co-chaired the 2015-16 LWVOR Election Methods Study Update and organized the Portland League’s November 2016 Civic Education Program on Election Methods. She also served on our Budget Committee. She did all this while living in Yamhill and farming hazelnuts. Although her board term ended a year ago, Peggy remains our 2018-19 Voters’ Guide Editor. She also chairs the Nominating Committee.

Clearly, Peggy is a responsible, dedicated and well-organized leader. She has done a great job spotting and recruiting talented League members to do each part of the important work of Voter Service. She is kind and generous, but also very competent and strong.

Peggy’s Volunteer of the Year Certificate said:

As Voter Service chair for four years and Voters’ Guide and VOTE411.org editor for every election cycle since 2010, Peggy Bengry has provided candidate and ballot measure information to tens of thousands of Oregon voters. She offers discerning judgment, a collegial approach, an eye for detail and accuracy, and a great spirit.

Videos of Highlights from 2017-18 Civic Programs

What are Highlights Videos?

Highlights videos are shortened versions of recorded panel discussions about important civic issues. The League presents these panel discussions during many months of the year. The full discussions often last more than an hour. But now you can see a shorter version with the most important points. Highlights videos are typically 20 minutes long.

View the highlights of what was said by clicking on the titles below.

Gun Safety Highlights

Oregon Budget Highlights

Lobbying the Legislature Highlights

Civil Discourse Highlights

Homeless Voices Highlights

Reducing Portland’s Carbon Footprint Highlights

Watch Highlights from Homeless Voices Panel

Highlights Videos

This is short video on Homeless Voices is one of a series of videos that are excerpts from longer recordings of forums. We take the most interesting statements from the panel discussions.

What you can learn about solutions to homelessness

Listen as people who have been homeless talk about their experiences and how they found ways to change their lives. These highlights from their remarks open a window for understanding how people become homeless, their feelings while homeless, and what they need to return to living successful lives in a community.

Job Opening – 2018

Part-time Office Manager-2018 Job opening

(Please see 2022 job announcement Here. Note that our office has moved to SW 5th Ave.)

Would you like to use your organizational, computer and communication skills to serve the public and improve our democracy?

The LWV of Portland Office Manager is our only permanent paid position. The Office Manager plays a critically important role in supporting our volunteers’ efforts to serve the people of Multnomah County. We provide educational programs, voter services and advocacy for better government and more livable communities.

Read about the job

Read the job description and how to apply. 20 hours/week. Starting salary $18/hour or more depending on experience. We encourage applications from candidates representing a diversity of backgrounds.