Introducing Eric Youngson, Portland OR Chapter's new Music Outreach Program Coordinator!

Please join us in welcoming Eric Youngson to the Music Outreach Program Coordinator - Surfrider Portland Chapter role!

My name is Eric Youngson. I am a surfer and general outdoor enthusiast who loves to be in the natural world. I have lived in Portland, Oregon for about six years now and feel like it's my home. I am originally from the San Francisco Bay Area and most of my family lives there but I spent some time in the frozen land of Michigan so I definitely appreciate the Northwest in a way many Californians may not.

Despite my heritage I started surfing in the Northwest a couple of years ago after completing engineering degree at Oregon Institute of Technology. I studied renewable energy and have worked for some time as an Energy Efficient Engineer working with commercial buildings. I've always had a passion for the environment and a special connection with the ocean, having many early memories of the shore and being so long removed from it in Michigan.

I am really excited about connecting with the amazing music scene here in Portland. I've had many great times at concerts and enjoyed the excitement of seeing local talent take off and gain national attention. I hope that the vibrant energy of our local scene can help to promote the mission of Surfrider and find synergy between environmental activism and the music scene that moves us.

Donavon Frankenreiter - Wonder Ballroom, 3/31/2012

by Nicole Parisi-Smith, Surfrider volunteer

The Portland Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation had an outreach table at the Donavon Frankenreiter show at the Wonder Ballroom in Portland, OR on Saturday, March 31, 2012. Thanks to Donavon and Anna of Monqui Presents for inviting us to be there, and for setting things up for us! Thanks, too to Kenny of the Wonder Ballroom who helped us get set up, and for the floor lamp he brought out to us, so that fans could see our table in the dark!

We were set up next to merch, in the left back corner of the beautiful venue. Donavon came by before the doors opened, and gave us Donavon mustaches to wear during the show. (They were on sale at merch for $1, along with other great stuff.) It was so nice to meet him, and to be able to personally thank him for having Surfrider at the show.

Donavon hung out at merch during Matt Grundy's opening set, and then again at the end of the night. This meant that the merch area was a hub of activity! This was lucky for us - we got to talk with a lot of fans, some of whom were new to Surfrider and some were not. One fan signed up for a Surfrider membership, we added new people to the Chapter's monthly e-newsletter mailing list, and fans signed our Ban The Bag petition. It was a great night!

Special thanks to the volunteers - Andrew, Kevin, and Sunya! Thanks to Lara for the great photos!

Introducing Sunya Ince-Johannsen!

Hello all Surfrider MOP blog followers! My name is Sunya Ince-Johannsen and I just accepted the Music Outreach Position in Portland, OR. I am so excited to get this great program going here in Portland!

I recently graduated from Southern Oregon University with a BS in Environmental Studies: Ecology and Conservation, so environmental protection and activism has always been an important part of my life. I have lived by the ocean in different places throughout my life, either in Oregon, Maui, or in Germany on the North Sea, where I learned to windsurf, and then later kiteboard and surf. Learning to windsurf has shaped my life in ways I never imagined it would, combining my love for the ocean with my love for outdoor recreation. As most windsurfers, kiteboarders, and surfers know, having fun in the ocean also comes with a responsibility to care for that resource, and leave it better than you found it. This is where the Surfrider Foundation comes in! Having recently moved to Portland, I am looking for ways to stay in touch with the things I love most: the ocean, outdoor recreation, music, and the wonderful community of people who gravitate toward these things.

I’m very excited to be involved with the Surfrider Foundation, after following the organization for years. I’m also looking forward to getting involved with the musical scene in Portland. My musical taste is more or less across the board, but some of my favorite bands include Xavier Rudd, Yeasayer, The Devil Makes Three, Groundation, Eddie Vedder, and most other good music!

Please feel free to email me at sunya @ oregonsurfrider.org if you would like to volunteer at an upcoming show in the Portland area. Thanks!

Welcome, Portland Chapter!

The Portland, Oregon Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation held their annual planning retreat this weekend. The Chapter's leadership team decided to bring the Surfrider Foundation Music Outreach Program to Portland!

The below is reposted from the Surfrider Oregon blog. Please share the news with your networks - help us find a Music Outreach Program Coordinator for the Portland Chapter!

The Portland Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation is looking for a new Music Outreach Program Coordinator. The Music Outreach Program started in 2007 and works with touring and local musicians to bring the Surfrider message to fans and concertgoers. 

MOP has given our volunteers access to shows by Donavon Frankenreiter, Colbie Caillat, Brian Wilson, Brett Dennen, State Radio, and many more. We need a new person to organize and attend these shows and events! 

The position involves not just running a table at shows, but also recruiting volunteers and training them. You’ll work independently, but under the advisement of MOP founder Nicole Parisi-Smith (currently based in Portland, Oregon). 

It’s an excellent opportunity to get more involved with Surfrider, learn skills, make contacts, and, of course, get free concert tickets! (Like all chapter roles, this position is volunteer.) 

Requirements: 
• - Enjoy live music and already go to shows of your own accord, and follow tour schedules and artist nonprofit interests 
• - Able to stay out late on weeknights 
• - Comfortable directing volunteers and interacting with the public 
• - Proactive, dependable, timely, and organized 
• - Be a Surfrider Foundation member (previous volunteer experience strongly preferred) 

Preferred candidates will also have regular access to a car, as some venues are not public transit-accessible. 

Interested candidates should contact Nicole Parisi-Smith at nicole@SFsurfrider.org