On July 1, 2008, reSource will merge with the Central Oregon Environmental Center. 

After considerable discussion and reflection, reSource’s Boards of Directors decided that joining together with COEC as one organization will allow us to more effectively and efficiently serve our shared purpose: to ensure a healthy environment in Central Oregon and beyond, today and for future generations.

“I am very excited about the merger,” says reSource executive director Mike Riley.  "The Environmental Center has a long history of bringing our community together to take action on behalf of the environment, an approach that fits well with how we work.  And integrating our programs will enhance the services we provide to the central Oregon community.”

Shauna Quistorff, executive director of Central Oregon Environmental Center (COEC), agrees.  "We are very excited about combining our efforts with reSource.  They have a proven track record of sustainability programs that will strengthen our current mix of community programs."

The Boards of Directors of both organizations identified five core reasons for the merger:

1. Both organizations share a common purpose: to ensure a healthy environment in Central Oregon and beyond, today and for future generations. 

2. To achieve our shared purpose, we have independently developed a complimentary and sometimes overlapping mix of programs and services that target similar audiences in the Central Oregon community we serve.  Both organizations currently offer programs and services to youth, businesses, and individual consumers/households, educating them about and providing them with tools and services to reduce their impact on the environment.  By merging, we will more effectively serve these target audiences through integrated programs.

3. Each organization has a critical asset that the other has identified as a need but has also recognized it will likely have trouble securing on its own.  reSource has significant cash reserves and COEC owns a quality facility located on a prime location in downtown Bend.  By merging, we will benefit collectively from these two important assets.

4. Both organizations have identified the need to grow their development and fundraising capacity by adding a development director and/or additional development support staff, but have also recognized it will be challenging to financially support such positions on their own.  Merging will allow us to leverage our joint resources to build one development department (rather than two) more quickly and efficiently. 

5. We share a concern about the increasing size of the nonprofit community in our region and the pressure that puts on donors, sponsors and volunteers.  By merging COEC and reSource, we hope to contribute to making the nonprofit sector more effective and efficient and to simplify and clarify the philanthropic options available in our community. 

“For all of these reasons, we feel that merging now will make us more effective and efficient at achieving our shared purpose over the long-term’” said Megan Power, chair of reSource’s Board of Directors. 

The current programs of both organizations will be maintained as is until a new strategic plan has been adopted by the joint Board next fall, at which time we will begin to make any needed program changes.  Mike Riley will be the Executive Director and Shauna Quistorff will be the Director of Communications and Development and together will act as the executive leadership team of the merged organization.  All of reSource’s current staff will join COEC as employees on July 1.

QUESTIONS?  Call Mike Riley at 541-388-3638 or email him at miker[at]resourceoregon.org.

ABOUT RESOURCE

The mission of reSource is to ensure a healthy future by inspiring people in Central Oregon to conserve resources and prevent waste and pollution today.  Since 1978, our programs have helped businesses, consumers and youth make choices every day that reduce their impact on the environment.  During its 30 year history, reSource has worked with schools, businesses and residents to recycle materials, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants, reduce water pollution, prevent trees from being cut, and save enough energy to power many average American homes each year.  To learn more about reSource, visit their web site at www.resourceoregon.org.

ABOUT CENTRAL OREGON ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER

The Central Oregon Environmental Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that serves as a community center for environmental education and action.  Our mission is to build a culture of environmental stewardship in Central Oregon.  The Center was founded in 1987 by a small group of local citizens and has grown into a regional information headquarters for individuals in our community as well as environmental organizations and agencies working on behalf of a healthy, sustainable environment.  To learn about the COEC, visit their web site at www.envirocenter.org.