Grace Badik (she/her)
Staff Attorney, Oregon Law Center
What drew you to join the board of Write Around Portland?
I had a friend on the board, Michael Montoya, who I met through Write Around Portland’s Prompt at Powell’s program in 2018 and we’ve been writing together ever since. He would invite our writing group to Raise Your Pen each year and talk about his board experience. It seemed like such a supportive and positive experience that I wanted to be a part. I strongly believe in Write Around Portland’s mission and work — I’ve long been a fan of Write Around Portland — from a volunteer to a facilitator to a donor. So being on the board only seemed like the logical next step. I wanted to be part of an organization building community, fostering inspiration, and nurturing hope and resilience, especially in a time when those things are under attack and most critically needed.
What does your role on the board encompass?
My role is to show up to the monthly board meetings prepared and engaged. My role is about getting to know the other board members, thinking about how Write Around exists in the Portland area, whether it is using its money and resources well, and strategically visioning for the future of the organization. This is a collective action. We bounce ideas off of each other in the board meetings. Part of the role is fundraising. As a board, we have a fundraising goal for the year. However, we are coming at fundraising not solely focused on the numbers. We are thinking about relationships — what relationships we have individually and collectively, what relationships we want to foster, who we want to invite in, whose voices are being left out. I have really appreciated the intentionality of the board in this way.
How does the organization impact the local Portland community?
I think Write Around is an important part of Portland — I mean it’s been around since 1999 — so it has a long history in the community. Write Around provides such critical services that are not easy to categorize like housing or food. Write Around provides community, creativity, and healing. It provides spaces for people to creatively express themselves, maybe for the first time. The anthologies and readings give people an opportunity to share themselves publicly, which is incredibly brave and vulnerable, in such a safe and welcoming way. Portland is a city of writers and creatives. Write Around contributes to Portland’s color.
What excites you most about the future of Write Around Portland?
What excites me most about the future of Write Around Portland is its possibility and potential. With the addition of several new board members, there is a new energy and new ideas are percolating. Some of those ideas have already come into action. I think as the board becomes more cohesive and stronger, the possibility and potential for Write Around will grow, which is very exciting.
Renee Kim (she/her)
Community Volunteer
What drew you to join the board of Write Around Portland?
I worked at an affordable housing organization that connected me with Write Around Portland. I witnessed firsthand how writing helps heal wounds as well as express profound joy. I have also been writing with Resonate for several years and have found the space to be welcoming, non-judgmental, and empowering.
What does your role on the board encompass?
I am a new board member and in my first year I am engaging in listening, observing, and contributing in any way that I can to help get the word out about how Write Around Portland.
How does the organization impact the local Portland community?
Write Around Portland is serving some of the most marginalized communities in Oregon to find their voice through sharing their writings with others.
What excites you most about the future of Write Around Portland?
I love that there is a place for people to join with others and share their voice. There are so many places that need the healing of the written and spoken word, and Write Around Portland brings this to participants.
Julie Ramos (she/her)
Community Volunteer
For many years, I was actively involved with Write Around Portland. I began by participating in Prompt and later volunteered in various capacities, including office work, as a scribe, and as a facilitator. As I am now retired, I sought to contribute my skills and volunteer on a board whose organization aligned with my values and mission.
Previously, Chris had reached out to me, and now I have the time and energy to join. I believe my role on the board is to provide oversight, offer my perspective as a Black woman and an educator in equity and inclusion, and serve as an advocate for WAP and its mission. In the face of global challenges, the need for supportive spaces, community engagement, and creative pursuits is paramount. WAP fulfills this need. The prospect of WAP expanding its reach in Oregon and potentially beyond is highly encouraging. The model offers invaluable benefits to communities, particularly those whose voices are often overlooked.