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Throughout the year and most often during special times of the year, i get solicitation from what seem to be well meaning fund raisers.

Fire Fighters associations

Disabled Fire Fighters

Campaigns to keep kids off drugs

Sheriff organizations

Police Chief Organizations

National association for Law Enforcement killed in the line of duty

Etc.

All using the name of public security providers in the community, state or nation claiming to be doing something worthy for the community they serve. With checking further I find that they pledges as little as 25% and even less to their good cause. 75% or more goes to the administration of the fund raiser.  

I perceive many of these fund r  raising efforts to be a scam or close to it.  They contribute to a bad name for the public agencies they purport to represent.

I think you need to do a public airing of these efforts.  Most recent request was from Washington County Police Officers Association claiming to need money for food for the disadvantaged.  Upon check further 25 cents of every dollar goes for food.  Their phone number is (503) 642-1452.  The State Attorney General has some interesting insight on the WEB to many but not all of these fund raiser.

posted 2 years, 6 months ago
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Dave,

Good talking to you today and think you for your help with the password.

Farmers and Farmer's Markets have been an interesting topic on OPB's Think Out Loud and NPR.  The focus has been for the most part the Farmer and the Market.  There are some other areas that might be a point of interest in discussion.

The fact that they are a public gathering on a weekly (and in some cases semiweekly).  These gatherings are not just to introduce buyers and sellers but times for educaton, dissemination of pubic news and items needing public awareness.  They are a rebirth of the medieval bazaars. 

They have and continue to introduce to the public the concepts of environmental awareness and conservation.  Many of the Oregon Markets have intoduced biogradable packaging, containers, and flatware.  They are leading our cities and communities to the concept of composting edible garbage in a major way.

One Oregon market even instigated the development of software for market management.  The software developer is an Oregon based company whose software is managing markets instate and out of State.

The markets have served those who are on food stamps and other support with nutrition training and education.

Then there is the markets that introduce the arts and culture to the communities that they serve.

I would wager that on any weekend during market season that in the Portland Metro area at least 150,000 citizens visit a market.  One market that I know of has every Saturday 1/10th of that total.  Oregon has a market that has been for years rated one of the top three markets on the west coast. 

In our conversation on the phone I mentioned that I am addicted to OPB -  Guess what! I am also addicted to the concept and contribution of Oregon Farmer's Market

posted 2 years, 9 months ago
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As someone who has been visiting markets on a regular basis for over 20 years - almost every Saturday - I believe it to be a mistake to discuss this issue without the input of managers of the major markets.

Perhaps the best market management to receive input is the management of the Beaverton Farmers Market.  This particular market is one of the forerunners.

This market management pioneered the pursuit of a Farmers Market Management Software by a significant software developer.  This software assists greatly in the management of Farmers Markets.

Think Out Loud needs to talk to responsible members of the Farmers Market vocation/ avocation - see belowcontacts for Beavertons Market

  MARKET MASTER

GINGER RAPPORT 503-244-3927 (Direct Mkt & Fax)

643-5345     (Mkt. Voice il only)

market@beavertonfarmersmarket.com

BEAVERTON FARMERS MARKET BOARD CHAIRMAN

*2012 von BERGEN, PAUL K

503-641-5771 (w)

 vonbergn@hevanet.com

i am an very opinionated cornerstone member that doesn't want to see or hear the baby thrown out with the bath water.

Yes there are issues to be address - they are being addressed.

The major markets are addressing - reducing - or correcting the issues and leading the other markets in the solutions

posted 2 years, 11 months ago
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