Goodbye from Jessica
Our Executive Director, Jessica Beckett, has moved on from 350PDX. She wanted to share these thoughts to say goodbye to everyone at our organization.
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350PDX Family,
As some of you know, I will be leaving the position of Executive Director at 350PDX and moving in to a new position in the Climate Justice movement. This is a bittersweet moment for me. I have loved working at 350PDX and with the incredible volunteers and partners who make up the heart of this organization. The work we have accomplished together in the time I’ve been here is no less than astonishing:
- Expanding the breadth of our volunteer base
- Renewing our commitment to stand behind frontline and youth leadership
- Deepening our commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) principles
- Strengthening our connection to the labor movement
- Standing behind PCEF’s successful implementation
- Working with our partners to ensure a just and community-created City Climate Emergency Resolution
- The amazing Climate Strike and Week of Action
And so much more.
350PDX has always been unique in its collective, grassroots-driven approach to this work. We as an organization have long been discussing an internal staff structure that more closely resembles that of our base: a collective management and decision-making structure, built on the principles of consensus and mutual accountability. I have supported this discussion fully, and am gratified to see it beginning to take wing; it is I believe the best way for 350PDX to grow. With this seed beginning to bear fruit, I am confident I can step in to other spaces in the movement and continue to serve in the many ways I love to do.
The relationships I’ve formed, the education and kindness you’ve given me, and the great joys we’ve shared mean so much to me. And they will continue! I cannot and will not leave this work, but instead will be standing in a different role within it.
I am honored and humbled by the opportunities this job has given me. Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for everything you’ve given. I can’t wait to see what we will do together next.
In Solidarity,
Jessica Beckett
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350PDX is very excited to explore and develop a collective management staff model that puts into practice our values of trust and shared responsibility for our collective work. Members of our staff and board have started a Staff Collective Agreements Forum (SCARF), which will be doing the work collaborating on our final structure. This work takes time and effort, and we’re committed to learning and getting it right. We are currently looking for funding for our staff time towards this endeavor, as well as volunteer support from folks who have expertise in collective management models, nonprofit management, or human resources. Please reach out to Anissa (anissa@350pdx.org) or Lucy (lucy@350pdx.org) if you are interested in donating towards this effort or volunteering on SCARF.
