This is as good a place as any other to record the names and websites of groups I find interesting. (Well, my links page would be even better, arguably ... we'll get there, I'm sure.)

City Club of Portland -- established 1916, a great forum for thought, debate, and information about what's going on in town. Events include "forums," lecture / discussion / guest events; book clubs; and research into issues like Portland's business climate or ballot measures. This seems like a group that enthusastically fosters what's best for the city or the state, not from an abstract agenda, but by encouraging local dialogue, disseminating relevant information, and rallying civic spirit. Politically, aims for balance: has been accused of leaning left, but this may simply reflect Portland.

Illahee -- a nonprofit wrapped around a particular man, Peter Schoonmaker, who I admire. His work includes environmental research (he has a PhD in some field of biology which makes him an expert on trees), education (he teaches a few classes at local universities), and fostering connections between policymakers, scientists, and the general public. To this end, he has established a marvelous lecture series which has brough a number of speakers to Portland on topics ranging between environmental sciences (agriculture, forestry, wildlife management, genetics, geology), economics, politics and public policy, culture, and regional identity. This year's lecture series is on the theme "Oil and Water: Perspectives for the 21st Century."

City Repair: the "alternative" vision of revitalization of communities, based on insights from permaculture, natural building, and "village" design. Projects include Earth Day celebrations, an annual "Village Building Convergence," and participant's related projects in architecture, farming, community activism, education, and compatible fields. I can't tell at this point whether they are savvy visionaries who are way ahead of the curve on making cities work for people, or if they are reactionaries whose rejection of "mainstream" culture (and its associated lessons about sustainable organizational structures) will ultimately render their efforts trivial. Maybe both.

Portland Peak Oil: A group of concerned citizens, with varying amounts of information and wisdom, who meet weekly to discuss the implications of declining oil production for life as we know it. Topics range from alternative energy to financial planning to localization and community-building to disaster-preparedness scenarios that make Hurricane Katrina look like an ordinary windstorm.

St. Philip Neri Catholic Church / Paulist Fathers: There's a sense of peace and homecoming in attending Mass, in spite of serious doubts about dogma and organizational structure. Attending a few times a month seems to suit me at this point in my life. Some correlations with other sources of value: There's no denying the staying power of the Church; it's had time to evolve or fail, and the evidence is, it's still around. So it must hold some insights into what works as human culture. St. Philip's parishioners are active in stewardship, social justice, and related concerns; the Columbia River Pastoral Letter, for example, details Pacific Northwest regional concerns about environmental and energy stewardship, and issues a call for action among the faithful.

Mom: Mom is not an organization, but while I'm describing my current interests, it's worth noting her as a bastion of support. When she's not around, my social interactions and courage sputter. Family in general might be more like an "organization"; while there's no "Campbell Clan" or "RitterSpot" website to cite, there's a wealth of information in the intelligent and experienced members of my immediate circle. Discussing my interests with cheerfully biased parties, and learning what my elders have already discovered, is immensely helpful. There are a few friends who play a similar role, notably from OMSI and high school, and similar friends of my parents -- I suppose these are what we call "friends of the family," eh? -people who know not just us, but our sisters and brothers and parents and history; people whose parents and husbands and children I am interested to know.

The Natural Step: One of my first favorite organizations, putting environmental sustainability firmly on a scientific basis, and framing the minimum conditions for life on earth in a businesslike, business-friendly way. There are dozens of founding members in Portland, and lots of companies that have been through the training in some form or another -- OMSI and Hoffman, and other former employers, among them. This is a great place to start when looking for organizations that are likely to have compatible vision, ethics, culture. I might enjoy being a presenter or consultant using this "lesson plan" or framework for discussion, but that would be some time in the future.

Other groups I've visited:
Coalition for Livability: laudible goals and vision, non-profit functioning as a grapevine-facilitator between related Portland public and private efforts. I had a great time volunteering at their benefit event. But I'm still not entirely clear on whether they exist to fill a specific unmet need, or whether there are related organizations that they will eventually compete or merge with.

David Evans Associates: for-profit consultant involved with regional planning including projects such as light-rail extensions. Considering them as an employer, if I can get my head around what exactly they do, and whether I can be useful in some capacity (research and writing seem like relevant skills, but I don't know if they hire for that specifically, or if they're more interested in technical things like engineering, surveying, or science backgrounds).

Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon: they're looking to fill a position as a Food Security Coordinator at the moment. The idea of bringing together people who can help each other, building networks that can meet regional needs, and fostering connections between local farmers and hungry people seems right and good, especially in light of the Peak Oil people's fears about food and transportation costs going crazy in the near future.

Cooper Mountain Vineyards: working there was great, I enjoy lab work, and my boss was a fascinating person to converse with on a number of subjects. Ultimately, though, I just don't care enough about wine to make it my priority. Writing about it, and drinking it, I can very much enjoy...
There were some insights here about organic food production, like how to manage ecologies of desirable and undesirable organisms with tools like water, attention to detail, and timing, instead of chemical toxins.
There were also hints of a worldview that explores biodynamics, or "the memory of water," with an open mind in spite of the shoddy science that's been used to prop them up. Because they have techniques that work, that neither good science nor shoddy science can fully explain, that rigorously-proven methodologies can't match.
and there was the inarguable pleasure -- or annoyance, depending on the day -- of going up to my elbows in purple glop every morning between 5 and 6 am. I do like climbing around on things, and getting my hands dirty. And being surrounded by the smells of grapes and yeast and oak and water and cold hilltop air.