Rural Organizing Project

“Any local autonomous group which subscribes to the purpose and mission of rop may be eligible to become a member. All potential members must identify as rural/small town community-based organizations, pay annual dues and be approved by the board of directors.”

“Each member organization selects a single representative to participate in the voting and business of the annual meeting. At the annual meeting, the selected representatives elect the board of directors.”

“Changes or amendements to the bylaws must be ratified by 2/3 of those members voting at the next annual meeting, or a special meeting could be called for that purpose. Under oregon corporation law, certain important decisions such as merger, consolidation and dissolution require membership approval.”

“The draft 990 is emailed to all board members for review. The board reviews it, approves it for filing via e-conference or email. If any changes are made, the final copy is emailed to all board members before filing.”

“The conflict of interest policy covers board members, officers and staff members. The board is responsible for determining whether a conflict exists and for reviewing actual conflicts. If the board determines that a conflict exists, the interested party may make a presentation to the board, but, after the presentation, must leave for the duration of the discussion and vote on the transaction or arrangement involving the conflict. The board shall investigate alternatives to the proposed arrangement. After exercising due diligence, the board shall determine whether the transaction is fair to rop. The transaction can only be approved at a baord meeting by a vote of a majority of directors who have no direct or indirect interest in the transaction. The board minutes shall contain the names of those who have a conflict of interest, the nature of the financial interest, a summary of the determination of whether a conflict was present, a description of the motion made, the vote on the motion, the names of the directors and a record of the vote taken.”

“Rop consideres requests for governing documents, conflict of interest policy documents and financial statements on a case-by-case basis.”

“Safe and welcoming commuities - rop supported human dignity groups and leaders who formed dozens of mutual aid projects across oregon to feed neighbors, protect those at risk of eviction and living outside, and share health and safety information. Together we created the roadmap to a thriving rural oregon that outlines the priorities that rural communities need to move from barely surviving to thriving, including access to reliable and affordable internet, childcare, housing, healthy food, and clean water. We advocated and won major victories on the roadmap including the sanctuary promise act and child care for all. Rop supported hundreds of leaders to hold safe and successful actions against immigrant detention and in support of the movement for black lives, starting new groups where there weren't groups already, and doing ongoing racial justice work in their communities.”

“Advancing democracy for all - this year rop produced the 2nd season of rural roots rising, our monthly podcast that airs on more than 20 community radio stations statewide, which focused on how a well-informed public is necessary for a healthy democracy. In the lead-up to the 2020 election, rop countered disinformation about who can vote and how to vote, supported all voters in safely accessing ballot drop boxes, and de-escalated election- related threats and intimidation. This work included our defend democracy hotline, toolkit, statewide radip public service announcements, and the stand election guide, which was released in print, social media, the radio formats. Thanks in large part to rural community organizing, oregon passed ground-breaking statewide ballot measures that advance democracy, racial justice, and access to drug treatment.”

“Preserving & sharing rural movement history - rop's archivist processed and provided access to rop's 30 years of uniquely valuable historical records of rural community organizing. We have invested in digitization, renovations to allow climate-controlled storage, and digital infrastructure to ensure these materials are preserved for decades to come. We've conducted 6 months of research for an exhibit in honor of our 30th anniversary that will travel the state in 2022 to share stories from rop's archives across rural oregon. Learning from the successes and failures of the previous capaigns helps our community feel inspired and connect the past with the present in the service of a better future for all. Community pantry & resource hub - after covid-19 hit rural oregon, rop began operating a twice-weekly mercado-style food pantry and resource hub that prioritizes reducing barriers and increasing access to food, hygiene supplies, personal protective equipment, local service agency resources, and covid-19 testing and vaccine information to more than 1,200 refugee and migrant farmworking families in southern lane and northern douglas counties. In addition to hosting the pantry, the community building center served as a gathering space to coordinate local human dignity work, respond to local crises, and access to our rural movement archives.”