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Challenges We Face
I did not think I would be given the honor of serving as the
Oregon NOW President, but here I am. Sandi Johnson has done a
remarkable job as President and has earned our organization’s
thanks.
Still, these are challenging times we are facing. Currently
our nation and state are facing a difficult economic crisis. Oregon
is, in fact, one of the states with the highest unemployment,
and much of this uncertainty will be affecting you, our members,
and our organization.as well. While the new Obama administration
begins to shape its policies, we already have had some good news.
The rescinding of the global gag rule and the Lily Ledbetter legislation.
Despite national changes, what is next for Oregon NOW? Where
should we chart our next course and what should be our focus as
we face 2009?
This last election has caused some fracturing among our members.
Other organizations are finding this to be true for them as well.
We also have few volunteers or activists, making our job all the
more difficult. It was thus decided that while we look to the
future direction that Oregon NOW will take, we have decided to
suspend the bylaws for a year to make plans and see what needs
to be done. What this specifically means is that we will not be
holding a state conference this year. That we will have only two
newsletters, this past January and one in the fall. Also that
the term of office for some of the officers are waived so that
they can continue to serve with the hope that replacements can
be found in a year. National NOW will be electing new officers
at the annual conference in Indiana in June. The new President
may take a very different approach that could impact the direction
and focus of our organization. We will have more news in the next
ONN. If you are interested in becoming involved in Oregon NOW,
please let us know and call us at 541 752-0418 or email president@oregonnow.org
Thank you for your continued support.
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