Dear Members and Friends of ARCS Foundation Oregon: 

We are writing this on the heels of our most successful fundraising event ever. Impact, Ignite!, held on Tuesday, October 29 at the Portland Art Museum, was one for the books. And not only because Ira Flatow (host of Public Radio International’s “Science Friday” and a podcast by the same name) was in the room (although that certainly did kick things up a notch or two!). But having the time and a larger space to interact more fully with our third-year scholars presenting posters made it more comfortable to linger and learn than in prior years. Our scholars really inspired us all on October 29, whether they were presenting posters, emceeing the event (Hillary Le, OHSU Scholar Alum, was amazing in this role!), discussing their research on stage (thank you to Sofia Vignolo (OHSU), Sarah Caballero (OSU), and Nathan Anderson (UO)), representing ARCS in a video (thank you to Ron Samia, OSU), or interacting with guests at tables during the dinner/presentation, they were the highlight of the evening and the reason for our successful paddle raise. Johnna Wells, the auctioneer, used powerful messaging that featured the impact of our work on our scholars, to drive our mission home to the audience, and they responded with a generosity that was truly remarkable.   

It is inspiring to us to reflect on the support we received - both financially and emotionally - during this event. It makes us even more dedicated to moving forward with the important work recommended in our Strategic Plan. With the rest of our message, we want to update you on some of the actions the ARCS Foundation Oregon Board has accomplished so far this year.

To review: As part of our Strategic Plan adopted in May, we reconfigured our leadership groups to reflect the roles each of our committees plays in the life of our organization. This change was prompted by the need for our Board to function strategically in furthering our mission. We now have a Board that will focus broadly on the pressing questions that all nonprofits are facing in today’s world, as well as on the specific issues that are unique to ARCS Foundation Oregon. In addition to the Board, we have a new Operations Group composed of the chairs of the committees that are more “boots on the ground,” organizing and executing the events and activities that support our mission and goals. This new format is also expected to provide better opportunities for committees to communicate and synergize. It has already resulted in a new collaboration between the Program Committee and the University Relations Committee.  

As noted above, we are implementing our visionary Strategic Plan, with the assistance of our Interim ED, Carol Hickman, and the Strategic Planning Implementation Group (“SPIG”). We will be providing updates on our activities in future newsletters. 

It is a busy and exciting time to be a member of ARCS Oregon. And it is also a very challenging time, as we grapple with issues that will have a critical impact on our ability to survive in today’s changing philanthropic landscape and into the future. 

Here is a brief synopsis of Board activities and decisions made during the months of September and October: 

• Approval of the application of the OSU/UO Joint Bioengineering Program to receive funding for ARCS Scholars (this has since been approved by the National UR Committee); 
• Approval of the format of the new OHSU/PSU Scholar Awards Policy agreement; 
• Engagement in a strategic discussion related to Membership dues. 

In the coming months we will take on such issues as the best use of the earnings from the Josselyn endowment, developing an Enterprise Risk Management plan, and the size of our Scholar Awards. We welcome your input and ideas related to these and other topics. Please feel free to email either or both of us (dianag@arcsoregon.org / racheld@arcsoregon.org

Wishing you a very happy fall, 
 
Diana & Rachel