2011-2012 Year of Service Fellows

MATT BLANCHARD
PEOPLE COORDINATOR, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME)

AFSCME is an international public employee labor union dedicated to fighting for good jobs, safe working conditions and a fair wage for all.  My role at AFSCME is the coordination of our Political Action Committee (PAC), called PEOPLE.  That means I get to raise plenty of $$$ and help out on ballot measures, lobby the Oregon legislature, and most awesomely of all work with candidate campaigns to elect people who are down with the cause.

BRYAN CHIEM
PROJECT MANAGEMENT INTERN, ELECTIONEAR

Electionear is a startup tech company that’s changing the political game, developing new technologies for campaigns. I’m interning as the Project Manager: marrying my experiences of organizing with my background in engineering, my love for tech, and my passion for design. In some respect, the company is Batman and I’m his utility belt! I dig what I do because I roll with an amazing bunch of hardworking folks.  With it are new adventures every day.

ALVIN MA
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR, BUS PROJECT

The Bus Project is a group that’s making democracy better, bringing joy and accessibility to every Oregonian’s doorstep. I’m one of the Bus’ organizers, bringing people together to create a more forward-thinking tomorrow. I love what I do because I get a chance to empower people. It’s always a treat to inform a 17 year old that they can register to vote and have a voice in stuff that matters.

LILY OUSTINOVSKAYA
FIELD ORGANIZER, BASIC RIGHTS OREGON

Working with volunteers both in Portland and Eugene on the marriage equality education campaign has really expanded my knowledge of LGBT issues in Oregon and nationally. I feel fortunate to work at an organization that truly lives up to their commitment to being an inclusive organization, approaching all of their work through a critical lens. In addition, the organization is truly leading the way in our racial justice and trans justice work. It’s an honor to be part of a movement and an organization that is committed to winning equality for all Oregonians.

JONATHAN PAIK
DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATIONS ASSOCIATE, BUS FEDERATION

The Bus Federation is a national organization working to bring the “Bus” model of thinking to the rest of the country. Currently a network of five states, the Federation works to promote a model that helps change the political landscape and have fun while doing it. As the Development and Operations Associate, I’ve coordinated the first ever Bus Drivers Conference, allowing all Federation members to meet face-to-face for the first time and share passions and best practices of the Bus.

JESSICA VENTURA
FIELD ORGANIZER, BASIC RIGHTS OREGON

Basic Rights Oregon (BRO) is the state’s chief advocacy, education and political organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. As a field organizer, my chief responsibility is to mobilize our base, recruit volunteers, and educate Oregonians as to why marriage matters to committed gay and lesbian couples. Additionally, I coordinate a volunteer-driven PAC group and increase marriage equality support among the business community.