JVC Northwest is proud to announce the creation of the Portland Alumni Council (PAC), a group of younger former JVs who will help further the mission of JVC Northwest by expanding the organization’s capacity to reach and build relationships with former JVs, community partners, and benefactors. Oh, and did we mention they’re putting on a happy hour this month?
A goal that has come out of JVC Northwest’s strategic visioning has been to improve our ability to reach and connect personally with former JVs (FJVs), particularly FJVs who have recently completed their year of service and are just beginning a new chapter of their professional and spiritual journey. The organization also wanted to craft a group that could expand our capacity for events, relationship building, and development. After much brainstorming and consulting with outside organizations, the initial structure and direction of the PAC emerged: a group of younger FJVs that could provide companionship to other FJVs, whether they were searching for employment, looking to change jobs, or continuing to process their service experience and values-centered living.
The Portland Alumni Council’s charter is “to further the mission of JVC Northwest, expand its development and relationship building capacity, and provide a rich professional development experience for its members.” As it continues to solidify, the group will help expand JVC Northwest’s ability to engage with former JVs in the greater Portland area and keep them connected to the mission and values of the organization. The council will also provide valuable board development experience for members, preparing them for service as a Board of Directors member for organizations they’re passionate about. In fact, multiple PAC members have served, or are currently serving, on Boards of Directors for other organizations.
One primary way they will accomplish this is through events, the first of which will be a happy hour social at Ex Novo, a not-for-profit pub in Northeast Portland, on Monday, September 21st from 5-7 p.m. We will gather in their upper loft meeting space; drinks and food can be ordered downstairs at the bar. The social will be a time to meet and socialize with other former JVs, and all are welcome to attend. The PAC has created a Facebook event for the Happy Hour here if you want to check it out. If you are hesitant, we encourage you to bring a friend, FJV or otherwise, as this will be a very low-pressure event.We also welcome those that do not drink to attend, and hope that the setting does not deter your attendance. (If it does, please let us know.) There will be more PAC-sponsored events in the future so if this is not your cup of tea please be on the lookout for other types of events down the road!
If you have any questions about the event or would like to know more about the PAC, please contact outreach@jvcnorthwest.org.
P.S. – If you’d like to join the Portland-area FJV Facebook group, it can be found here.
10/1/15 UPDATE – Recap and Photos
Current PAC member Erin Daniels (Portland, OR ’10-11) summarized the successful happy hour social in the following way, “This last Monday (9/21) the newly-formed Portland Alumni Council (PAC) hosted a happy hour event for FJVs at Ex Novo Brewing Company. The PAC decided that, in addition to more sizable events throughout the year, we also wanted to find some easy, low-key ways to connect and build relationships among local FJVs. Our first event went swimmingly with about 35 folks in attendance. I had a fantastic time reconnecting with some familiar faces but also getting to know some more recent FJVs who I would not have otherwise met! We hope to continue to host these smaller events on a more regular basis so that folks can drop in when they’ve got the time and energy.”
The PAC and JVC Northwest hope to see you at the next event! If you have questions about the PAC or want to make sure you hear about these events, please contact Outreach and Events Coordinator, Zach Reuter, at outreach@jvcnorthwest.org.
