Agent of Change Network Description:

The Agent of Change Network provides continued support for past participants of the Center’s class "How To Be an Agent of Change in Your Circle of Influence."  The network offers workshops, trainings, and gatherings.

The Center has worked with a total of 41 Agent of Change classes of 10 to 16 participants each.  This growing network of agents is transforming the culture of Portland.  As an agent of change works on a specific project within a confined circle of influence, he or she is also pulling the broader community along the path to a sustainable future.

Upcoming Network Events

Winter Agent of Change Network Gathering

Join the Agent of Change Network for an evening full of learning new skills, networking, and inspiration.

The Art of Leadership: Going Beyond Management
with special guest Paul Spindel

Date/Time: February 9, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Location:  Mulvanny G2 Architecture, 601 SW 2nd Avenue, Suite 1200, RSVP required

Description: As agents of change (and in other areas of life), we often find ourselves leading and managing others.  Although both roles are important, under the demand to get things done, our role as “leader” is often neglected.  At this gathering, guest Paul Spindel will discuss the benefits of time spent in “leadership activities” including such things as focusing on the important and not just the urgent, cultivating shared ownership of a project, and creating value for your team.

About Paul Spindel.  Paul is an expert in project management and personal fulfillment.  With an M.A. in organizational communications, he is a business consultant, trainer, and coach with over 18 years of human resources experience at Marriott and Nike.  He is also president of the Earth Wisdom Alliance and conducts workshops aimed at fostering environmental sustainability, social justice, and spiritual fulfillment.  With his tremendous energy, sense of humor, and unique ability to teach through story and example, Paul is a sought-after trainer and coach.
http://www.paulspindel.com/

Agent Highlight:

The role of agent of change can be episodic, to be activated from time to time, or a way of being in continually working on projects to make the community a better place to live.  At the January 23 welcoming evening for 15 new agents of change, John Shorb told how, after enrolling in Agent class #2 about five years ago, he moved from one circle, Tabor Commons, onto a new circle, his church.  Click here to read about John’s projects.

Because he is an architect and the project was in his neighborhood, he took on design of the Tabor Commons community center, a former meth shop, as his project.  Throughout his involvement, John was not only an advocate for sustainable practices, but he inspired another architect, Josh Lighhipe, to take the Agent class and join him in this effort.  Josh designed "material recovery stations" for trash, recycling, and composting for the first tenant, Café au Play, and helped install bioswales accepting run-off from not only the property but also adjacent streets.

To introduce change in his church, John proposed a rain garden – a technique for capturing rain and letting it gradually infiltrate into the soil.  Church members responded enthusiastically, and John had no trouble recruiting volunteers, including an engineer, a landscape architect, and the chair of the Board of Trustees who had led previous capital improvement projects.  In a series of Saturday work parties, church members disconnected downspouts, built a bioswale with river rock channels, replaced existing concrete with a pervious concrete blocks, and corrected a flooding problem in the basement.  Over 50 families supported the project by buying personalized concrete blocks for the patio – resulting in a surplus of project funds!   

John has learned that one of his most important tools in recruiting and inspiring volunteers is holding a clear vision that others can easily identify  He continues to strive to build community right where he lives.

Agent of Change Class Description