Old Friends & New Faces A4D’s Gathering
It was wonderful to see so many of you last week at our first hybrid meeting! We learned how to electrify our homes and vehicles plus how it all how relates to current and future decarbonization efforts on regional and grid-wide scales. If you were unable to attend, you can watch a video of the evening gathering at this link. The passcode is: ^wW@@0T= If you would like a copy of the slide deck as well, please email us at a4dpdx@gmail.com As there wasn’t enough time to address all of the audience questions, our presenters kindly provided answers, which you can read here. If you’d like to start electrifying your life, visit the Electrify Now website with all the details you’ll need. And if you’re already in the process of electrification, contact ElectrifyPDX to receive a plaque to let your neighbors know and inspire them to do the same. Also, please consider supporting current clean energy legislation by visiting COIN’s 2023 legislation tracking page to learn about the resilient building bills. Then, contact your legislators to express your support of these crucial bills. And last but not least, many thanks to our COIN friends for co-hosting Tuesday’s event and for providing invaluable support!
Donate Now & Double Your Impact!
Indivisible National is matching your donation to Act for Democracy through the end of May. Help us put on more informative events by donating here!
So Long Roberta but Not Farewell
A4D cofounder Roberta Ruimi is stepping down as President but will continue to help us on an informal basis. Roberta helped guide A4D since the beginning, through the merger of Indivisible97201 and One Small Thing PDX in January of 2021. The two groups joined both sides of the Willamette River and successfully blended opinionated and engaged leaders from two well-known and active political groups into a cohesive, collegial, and relevant new team. During the height of the pandemic, Roberta guided A4D through the In Portland We Care initiative, which provided hundreds of cards, flowers, and gifts to hard-pressed healthcare workers and welcomed Afghan refugees to the community in coordination with Lutheran Community Services NW. As Covid restrictions eased over the summer of 2021, she led us to the streets to fight for gun safety measures and reproductive rights. And she was first in line as We Stood on Every Corner to push for passage of voting rights legislation. Roberta oversaw A4D’s participation in COIN’s legislative tracking team, which followed more than 130 critical bills in the Oregon Legislature. A4D’s Climate, Energy, Environment Team also became part of the tracking team. And in 2022, Roberta was instrumental in securing a series of relevant speakers for our monthly meetings, including City Commissioner Dan Ryan and Representative Suzanne Bonamici. Thank you, Roberta, for your leadership, your example, and your friendship! We will miss your guidance as well as your astute personal observations, which launched our monthly meetings, captured the political moment, and crystallized our collective emotions so perfectly!