We’ve had a recent surge of interest in volunteer opportunities at Know Your City, and our interns are kicking things into gear for our spring and summer programs. We wanted to introduce our readership to some of the people who make our programs happen. Today we asked volunteer Phobe Flanigan a few questions for our blog…
volunteer phoebe flannigan
Q: Tell us what you do at Know Your City.
Hello there, Know Your City fans! My name is Phoebe, and I’m KYC’s newest Development Assistant, which means I get to help out with their fundraising and development efforts. This is my first experience with this sort of work, but Polly has been a kind and patient mentor! I’m looking forward to learning more about the inner-workings of non-profit administration throughout the upcoming months.
Q: How did you find out about the organization?
While I was out in Boulder, Colorado finishing up college, my lovely mother sent me an article about KYC (then known as the Dill Pickle Club) that she had found in the Oregonian. As a student of both history and anthropology, I was immediately attracted to the organization’s mission. Though I wouldn’t be back in Portland for another five months, I immediately sent Marc an e-mail asking how I could get involved. I continued to pester him once I moved home, and this spring he and Polly welcomed me on board!
Q: What do you appreciate about the organization? What drew you to volunteer with us?
I’m a fifth-generation Oregonian and a second-generation Portlandian, so the history and culture of this city is very near and dear to my heart. Know Your City does an amazing job of addressing Portland’s multicultural history in meaningful and inclusive ways, and I found that very attractive.
Q: What programs are you looking forward to and why?
I’m really excited about this summer’s new flagship tours! Stay tuned to find out more about the new programs that we’ve got coming up!
Thanks Phoebe, we wouldn’t be able to provide all of our programs without the help of folks like you!
It’s that time of the year again! It’s time for the Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Spring Sale and Know Your City is excited to be included – plus I hear we are right next to the CAT Cat Adoption Team organization! Sweet! It all goes down this Saturday, May 11th 11am-6pm at the Convention Center. This is where the region’s premier crafters, artists and creatives showcase their spring wares – don’t miss out!
Of course, we will have our publications, including the Oregon History Comics box set and our new Tom McCall comic, as well as info about our tours and handmade, artisan Pickles. Plus we are using this as an opportunity to push our May membership special! At the $85 level you get all of those great incentives like discounts on publications and tickets – including the coveted Know Your City tote bag – plus our May membership deal: you receive a FREE jar of PERFECT PICKLES. That’s right! It’s picnic-ing season – bring along these artisan, handmade pickles and impress your guests! Pickles available from these great places: Perfect Pickle winner: Lutz Tavern, 1st runner up: Olympic Provisions, Biwa, Blossoming Lotus and Yume Confections. A $20 value, yours free.
Get in on this deal while you can – it’s only for the month of May and only while supplies last (*we have less than 20 jars left*). Orders must be picked up from our office at Union Station. Once you place your order, we will e-mail you to coordinate a time that is convenient for pick up.
Architect Bill Hart talks to us at the Goldenwest Hotel
An update on our app project – we’re making good progress but are pushing back our launch date until June. A preview party will be held in late May for our Kickstarter backers. If you were on of those to help support the project, stay tuned – we’ll be sending out details about the party next week.
Several weeks ago we caught up with architect Bill Hart of Carleton Hart Architecture to talk about the Goldenwest Hotel, Portland’s first African American hotel. Bill’s company has been working with Central City Concern on preservation efforts – including architectural renovations and an oral history project, currently on display outside the building. Hear a preview of Hart’s content in the below clip.
For more on the Goldenwest, visit Central City Concern’s online exhibition. Also of interest is Will Bennet’s blog. In the coming weeks, we’ll be posting more previews. We look forward to making this great resource free and available to everyone!
