March 2025 UCP Board Meeting: New Member Joins, Grant Success, and Community Projects Move Forward

March 5, 2025 – The United Community Partners board welcomed a new member and approved major funding decisions during their monthly Zoom meeting. Chair Pam Conley led the session with board members Amari Fauna, Jenn Berg, Liz McLellan, and Jack Greenman.

Michael Ross Brings Tech Skills to UCP Board

Michael Ross from Sonoma introduced himself to the board, sharing his background in technology and contracting work. He expressed excitement about getting involved with UCP’s community projects. The board unanimously voted to welcome him as their newest member.

Jenn Berg made the motion to add Michael to the board. Jack Greenman seconded it. Michael joins the team just as several major projects need additional expertise.

Jenn Berg Reports Strong Community Support

Jenn Berg gave what board members called an “awesome, clear and comprehensive” financial report. Her Ask Letter campaign brought in responses from 38 community members out of 213 letters sent. Jack Greenman praised Jenn’s clear presentation style.

The community support enables UCP to continue backing local projects across the Village Fund, Pine Valley Firewise work led by Pam Conley, PV2050 community development guided by Rachel Cairns and her team, and Dark Sky Halfway preservation efforts coordinated by Liz McLellan.

The board approved Pam Conley’s suggestion to reinvest matured certificate funds to keep earning interest for future community projects.

Rachel Cairns and PV2050 Team Guide Main Street Improvements

The board approved pursuing the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant to fund roof replacements on five Halfway businesses: Mamaste, Main Street Tire, Merc, Halfway Sober, and the Two-Color Building. The PV2050 steering committee, led by Rachel Cairns with Mallory Rex, Julie Stromer, Cindy Thayer, and newly recruited Sally Robaugh, had already approved this project.

Property owners will submit invoices to UCP, who will handle the paperwork with Oregon State Parks. Business owners have two years to complete their roof work, giving them flexibility to schedule the improvements around their busy seasons.

Village Fund Continues Supporting Community Needs

The Village Fund received three applications since January 1, 2024, bringing the total to 54 applications since the program started in April 2020. The fund maintains healthy reserves to help community members with emergency needs.

Pam Conley Updates Pine Valley Firewise Progress

Pam Conley shared updates from Pine Valley Firewise’s busy fall season. The Community Cleanup Day on October 5 brought neighbors together from 7:30 am to 4 pm. The Idaho Conservation Youth crew arrived the next day for three weeks of fuels reduction work around the valley.

Pam organized the Community Fire Meeting on October 23 where Oregon Department of Forestry staff answered questions about the Town Gulch Fire. Eight community members attended to get their fire hazard map questions answered at the February 8 meeting at Pine Valley Grange.

Looking ahead, Pam and her team will host another Community Cleanup Day at the Fairgrounds on June 7. The youth crew returns June 8 for their final three weeks of work under the Community Wildfire Risk Reduction grant. Additional work continues October 5-25, with the final grant report due March 2026.

UCP helped the Pine Valley Rural Fire Protection District get new radios through grants from Roundhouse Foundation and the Roger Chandler Fund. After keeping a small percentage for the Firewise program, UCP sent the funds to the fire district once they showed proof of radio purchase.

Sally Robaugh Steps Up for PV2050 Leadership

Linda McEwan stepped down from the PV2050 steering committee due to personal reasons. The team recruited Sally Robaugh to fill the position. She joins Rachel Cairns, Mallory Rex, Julie Stromer, and Cindy Thayer on the committee.

The Main Street committee continues meeting the last Monday of each month at 5pm at the Lions Club. They’re working on the Flagpole Flower Box project with solar lighting and stock tank planters. Baker County Cultural Coalition provided a grant to support their Historical Walking Tour project. The committee’s Holiday Tree lighting event brought the community together during the winter season.

Rachel Cairns and the PV2050 team are working with Travel Baker and Baker Chamber of Commerce on HalfwayHitched.com. The website will showcase Pine Valley as a wedding destination, featuring local venues, lodging, catering, and related services.

Maurizio Valerio and Cheryl Puddy Share Funding Knowledge

Twenty-two people attended the February 21 nonprofit meeting to discuss community needs and potential collaboration. Maurizio Valerio from Ford Foundation and Cheryl Puddy from Oregon Community Foundation shared information about funding opportunities with the group. Plans are underway for expanded community outreach.

The Government Grant Writing Technical Assistance Program wrapped up in November 2024 with unspent funds returned to the Nonprofit Association of Oregon. Grant writer Susy Lacer submitted applications for USDA fire station vehicles and helped Halfway-Oxbow Ambulance prepare materials for gurney lift funding.

Liz McLellan Guides Dark Sky Progress

Liz McLellan chairs the Dark Sky Halfway steering committee with Rachel Cairns, Celinda Miller, Pam Conley, Kim Jones, and Shannon Neilson. The group continues working on their Dark Sky Community application. This process typically takes up to three years to complete.

The November 1 New Moon Halloween 2 Star Party drew 10 visitors and eight volunteers. Rachel and the kids made Starry Night t-shirts.  Rachel also serves as the City of Halfway liaison, reporting at each council meeting about the dark sky lighting ordinance. The team is studying the model recently passed by Antelope Oregon.

The Mentor Match Teen Entrepreneur program received Ford Family Foundation funding for late summer 2025. This program will help local teenagers develop business skills. From their website:

Transform Your Teens, Transform Your Community

Bring the proven Mentor Match Teen Entrepreneur Program to your community, and watch teens create economic opportunity for themselves and others!

Encourage teens to pursue business and entrepreneurship as education/career paths

Show non-college bound teens how to create a successful career path regardless of resources

Help teens develop key qualities including innovative thinking, self-motivation, and resilience

Return teens back to your community to apply their knowledge and grow their businesses

Liz McLellan Coordinates Website and Photo Updates

Liz McLellan continues reaching out to project champions for updates while working on board member page improvements and website overhauls. Community members can help by sending event photos to jules@unitedcommunitypartners.org for the automated photo system.

UCP’s social media following keeps growing with 166 Facebook page followers, 91 Village Fund followers, and 80 Dark Sky followers. The Mailchimp contact list includes 111 people with 89 active subscribers.

Looking Forward

While the Hells Canyon Action Hub pilot project for dance, yoga, and art classes at the Grange didn’t launch as planned, UCP continues exploring ways to serve community wellness and education needs for space and sustainable funding.

The next board meeting date will be announced soon as UCP continues supporting community projects across Halfway, Pine Valley, and surrounding areas.

United Community Partners connects community members with resources, funding, and support for local projects that improve life in rural Baker County. Learn more at unitedcommunitypartners.com or follow UCP on Facebook.