Props For The Public Interest

By Henry Kraemer of Portland, OR. Henry is political director of the Bus Project, an organization that works to engage Oregon's next generation through hands-on democracy and foster fun, innovation and courage in politics.

A few days ago the forces of good in Oregon came together for The Wheelies, a Bus Awards Show for Stuff that Matters. Although the Bus Project puts on the show, it’s more a vehicle for the appreciation we in the progressive movement have for one another.

Over the last two years, our beloved Beaver State has been a veritable cornucopia of people-powered politics. Since 2006, Oregon’s political landscape has been fundamentally altered by regular citizens talking to each other, sharing visions, and pushing for change. We activists are often too concentrated on our own campaigns (insert shameless plug for the 23,000 voters registered and 60,000 doors knocked on by Bus volunteers in 2008) to notice the wonderful work being done by our partners.

So we decided to put on The Wheelies.

With the inimitable Gov. John Kitzhaber as MC and presentations from everyone from former Secretary of State Bill Bradbury to Basic Rights Oregon Executive Director Jeana Frazzini, the Wheelies celebrated folks doing great things for Oregon. Fabulous videos were previewed. A VoteBot (a robot powered by youthy volunteers) was unveiled. And most importantly, awards were doled-out.

A video, for your viewing pleasure:

VoteBot, powering up for the special election:

And the winners were....

The Legend Award, for lifetime achievement

DemoForum, which held five forward-thinking conferences between 1968 and 1974 and created a public interest network of Oregonian leaders, fostering governors, congressmen, mayors, legislators and more.

The Citizen-Driven Campaign Award, for a people-powered campaign that never cut a paycheck

Sunset Primary School Fourth Graders, who launched an impressive campaign to designate the Dungeness Crab as the Oregon state crustacean. Their acceptance speech was a 10 out of 10 on the adorable scale.

The Courage Award, for going out on a limb for the common good

Oregon Food Bank for campaigning against Measure 64, which you may remember as Bill Sizemore's ballot measure to cripple grassroots groups, unions and charities.

The Six-E-est Award, for innovative public policy

The 2009 legislative session's state-based healthcare reform, which is now helping to guide the national conversation on reform..

The High Road Bus-iness Award, for value-driven companies

New Seasons, for doing groceries right, through serious sustainability and a high standard for employee treatment.

The Ben Fain Volunteer Award, for Bus volunteers going far above and beyond the call of duty

The leadership team of the online action organization Onward Oregon and longtime Bus volunteer & electoral organizer Andrea Cooper.

The Best Supporting Activist Award, for great work done behind the scenes

Gerik Kransky, the Outreach Director for 1000 Friends of Oregon.

The Campaign for the Public Good Award, for an organization doing great grassroots work

Farm to School, for packing the hearing rooms during the 2009 legislative session to connect local food and schools, creating healthy meals and local jobs.

The Not Left, Not Right, But For(A)ward, for outstanding achievement in bipartisanship

Tuition equity, with props to the Oregon Students of Color Coalition.

Many, many folks deserve commendation (I wish there was space to shout out all the nominees), but to get a big ol' plaque, they'll have to wait until the next Wheelies.

In the meantime, you should hang out with the VoteBot, which was unveiled at The Wheelies and will be registering young voters and stirring up excitement about the January 26th Special election. If you'd interesting in joining the VoteBot Army, shoot me an e-mail at [email protected]

See you on the Bus.

Oct. 10, 2009 Posted in guest column.