Oregon Microenterprise Network

Read about another CapitalLink success story!

Garden Of Ink

Are you an energetic, creative, and hard-working individual with a desire to create positive change in the community you live in?

The Oregon Asset Building Corps (OABC) is a part of a national service movement committed to battling poverty. OABC AmeriCorps*VISTAs serve for a year at nonprofit organizations that focus on increasing the assets of low-income Oregonians.   AmeriCorps*VISTAs develop programs that fight poverty in a ways that are sustainable and build the capacity of their host organization. They help develop new programs, make already existing programs more efficient, and sustain those programs by augmenting the resources the program uses. OMEN has managed the OABC program for the last nine years and the work of these members has helped over 30 organizations and agencies establish new programs and take existing programs to the next level in their anti-poverty work.

As an AmeriCorps*VISTA Member who serves full-time with no outside commitments, you are eligible to receive the following benefits:

*Approximately between $10,296-$10,692 for the year over 26 pay periods (VISTAs working within Multnomah county are paid the higher living stipend to reflect the higher cost of living. VISTAs working in any other county receive the lower living stipend)
*A $5,500 Education award or $1,500 cash stipend upon completion of service
*Student loan forbearance
*10 Vacation and 10 Personal days
*Healthcare Coverage
*Relocation Reimbursement
*Non-competitive job eligibility for federal positions
*Professional development trainings and networking events

OMEN is currently searching to fill 21 OABC AmeriCorps*VISTA positions throughout Oregon at the following host sites:

- Adelante Mujeres
- Bienestar CDC
- City of Independence
- City of Junction City
- City of St. Helens
- Community Energy Project
- Economic Opportunity Initiative
- Financial Beginnings
- Hacienda CDC
- Leadership and Entrepreneurship Public Charter School
- McMinnville Economic Development Partnership
- MicroEnterprise Resources, Initiatives and Training (MERIT)
- Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation (NEDCO)
- Oregon Opportunity Network
- Oregon Microenterprise Network
- Pendleton Chamber of Commerce
- Portland Community Gardens Program
- Portland State University Business Outreach Program
- Rural Development Initiatives
- Salem-Keizer CDC
- Ten Rivers Food Web

Host Sites began recruiting April 1st, so apply now! To apply, follow the steps below

1. Visit http://www.americorps.gov/.
2. Look for the “Join AmeriCorps” box to the right and Click on ‘advanced opportunity search”(in white text ).
3. Select ‘AmeriCorps VISTA’ as the program type,
4. Select ‘Oregon’ as the state, type the word ‘OMEN’ in the program name box.
5. Select one of the OMEN listings to read the position description for that site.
6. A large red ‘apply now’ button will be near the bottom left of the page.

2011-2012 OABC AmeriCorps*VISTAs will attend Pre-Service Orientation from August 22nd-25th and will serve at their host sites on from August 26th, 2011- August 24th 2012.

Need more information on OMEN or the Asset Building VISTA Corps? Please go to http://www.oregon-microbiz.org/programs/oregon-asset-building-corps/ or contact the VISTA Leader at margot@oregon-microbiz.org.

Already been a VISTA and interested in another year of service? OMEN is also recruiting for a VISTA Leader to provide support, resource development, mentorship, and training for the members of OMEN’s Asset Building VISTA Corps. The VISTA leader will work to expand the capacity of OMEN to serve the Asset Building VISTA Corps and member organizations. To qualify, you must have completed a year of service with AmeriCorps*VISTA.

Questions about the VISTA Leader position? Please contact the VISTA Leader at margot@oregon-microbiz.org.

Read  April’s Executive Director’s Report Here!

OMEN Strategic Plan 2011 – 2012

Read Funding Update Here

Director report March 2011

Date: Friday, March 25

Time: 3-5 p.m.

Location: Leisure Public House

8002 N. Lombard in St. John’s

Oregon State Senator Chip Shields, along with House Representatives Tina Kotek and Lew Frederick are hosting a reception for N/NE Portland’s small businesses on Friday, March 25th, to hear concerns and share their legislative efforts in helping small businesses in the district. The public is welcome. Light hors d’oeuvres will be provided, self-pay bar.

The host committee for the reception includes:

• Jim Brunberg of Mississippi Studios
• Sean Moriarty of Cessco Inc., and President of the Reasonable Insurance Premium Coalition
• Tom Barker of MEMC, a solar manufacturing company in Rivergate
• Tobias Hogan of Eat Oyster Bar in NE Portland
• Nicole Walker & Travis Blanchette of Leisure Public House

OMEN 2011-2012 Resource Guide and Membership Directory PDF

OMEN just sent out the 2011-2012 Resource Guide and Membership Directory Survey to members and affiliates.  If your organization received a survey please take a moment to respond.

Your organization will receive up to one full page listing in the Directory, which will be printed and distributed widely to entrepreneurs throughout Oregon and published online here at OMEN’s website, www.oregon-microbiz.org.
OMEN will use the data collected from this survey to:

• inform policy efforts undertaken by OMEN and its members, all of whom are concerned with developing and advocating for the microenterprise field;
• promote microenterprise as a significant local and statewide economic development strategy;
• provide funders and investors with a better understanding of market trends and how they can support the field; and
• allow you to place your experience in context with that of peers statewide.

A high response rate yields more valid and valuable data for the microenterprise industry. To that end, we appeal you to take a few minutes to complete the survey and we thank you for your kind support and timely response.

To view a PDF of this survey

OMEN 2011-2012 Resource Guide and Membership Directory PDF

Assistant Director Job Description – OMEN

TO APPLY:

Please submit a cover letter and resume detailing your training, education and experience as they relate to the duties, responsibilities and minimum requirements of the position.  Screening of applications will begin immediately.  This position will remain open until filled.

•    Do you contribute to Mercy Corps, FINCA, the Heifer Project,or another non-governmental organization working in a developing country?
•    Have you heard of the Grameen Bank, kiva.org, or Compartamos of Mexico?
•    Have you ever borrowed or loaned $2000 or less?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, you may already be involved with Microfinance.

Learn more about Microfinance at a panel presentation at Willamette University entitled:

“Does Microcredit Alleviate Poverty? Examples from Village Laos”
Wednesday, March 9 at 4:00 pm in Eaton Hall Room 209

Sponsored by the Center for Asian Studies (CAS) and the Department of Economics and featuring organizers of the Microfinance Project of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem, an economist who teaches about microfinance, and a student researcher who studied several microcredit-offering organizations in Mexico.

This panel is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Hope to see you there!