NOHA ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR MARCH 2013
NOHA Membership Renewals for 2013: Membership renewals are generally
due in April of each year, as this is the beginning of NOHA’s fiscal year. The
cost is a mere $15 if you pay online with PayPal. This is the auto-renewal
membership option, so you don’t have to write a check each year. You can sign
up for auto renew at: http://northwestoralhistory.org/membershipform.php . A
one-year membership by check is $20 and a two-year membership is currently
$35. I have attached our membership application form to this email so you can
update your contact and other information if needed and you can print it out and
pass it on to a friend. We are considering an increase in the membership fee
and membership is a real bargain at this point.
Advertising in the NOHA Newsletter
We are now accepting advertising from NOHA members for our bi-annual newsletter. Members are responsible for their
own graphics. One member has opted for a business card sized ad, which goes
for $35. This is the easiest way to avoid the detail of creating graphics. Proceeds
will be applied to the cost of producing the newsletter.
Well Arts Institute
There have been many artistic uses of oral histories through
the years and the Well Arts Institute offers one example. Well Arts partners
with various organizations to facilitate playwriting workshops for people living
with physical or mental challenges, which can be life changing. They develop
oral histories into staged readings with professional theatre artists who are
personally coached by the participants bring their stories to the stage. I saw
one of their recent performances using stories from senior citizens living in low-
income housing and it was very powerful. Their most recent endeavor presents
the results of their partnership with the Washington County National Alliance
on Mental Illness, A Wall Is a Road, at the Firehouse Theatre on 1436 S.E.
Montgomery Street. Upcoming shows are March 8, 9, 15 & 16. Performances
start at 7:30 PM on Fridays, with matinee only shows on Saturdays at 2:00 PM.
Read more about Well Arts at past, present, and future uses of oral history and
purchase tickets at: http://wellarts.org/ . Please be aware that the Firehouse
Theatre is tucked in behind Portland State University and can present parking
challenges. Well Arts sometimes offers a shuttle to performances. Details
regarding this should also be available on their website.
Wanted – Oral History Stories on Columbia County
Dennis Galloway notified
us that he is looking for oral history stories related to Columbia County. Dennis
has done some exquisite photographic studies of various agricultural structures,
including several belonging to the Mid Columbia Producers Co-Op. He would
like to include a brief text of the human story behind these pictures. He would
also like to partner with a journalism student who might be able to do a little
writing for credit or anyone else who might be interested. The Galloway photos
can be viewed at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgeugene/7352349468/in/set-
72157625623098107/lightbox/ and can be seen at:
lightbox/. He welcomes suggestions for pursuing this project and can be
contacted through his website: http://dennisgalloway.com.
Basic Videography Workshop
Mark your calendars! Matt Simek will lead
a basic videography workshop for Portland area NOHA members and friends
on Saturday, June 1st, a mere three(3) months from now. We are currently
planning a three to four hour span of time in which Matt will cover common
errors and better alternatives; a show and tell of some inferior techniques and
better methods; ways to shoot an interview and how to choose equipment and
locations; what to do with the raw interview (how to process, transcribe, and edit
into a cohesive story); a few items on how improving interview skills; varieties of
equipment and their pros and cons. The workshop location is: 5520 N.E. Glisan
– Portland, OR 97213 and will begin around 9:00 AM and end near 1:00 PM,
depending on questions and attendee interests. The price is a mere $40 for non-
members and $30 to current NOHA members. You can see by the description
above that this workshop is worth a lot more. Registration numbers will be
limited, and this valuable workshop will cancelled see indicators of sufficient
interest by mid-May.
Railroading in Yamhill County
Matt Simek, an accomplished videographer
and NOHA member, will speak on the history of railroading in Yamhill County on
the last Tuesday of this month, March 26th, at 6:30 PM, in the Chehalem Cultural
Center. This should be an interesting presentation, even for those new to railroad
history, and will include a multi-media slide show with sound. Matt is a multi-
talented NOHA member with great story telling skills.
NOHA Surveys
Last but not least, if you have not returned your NOHA survey
yet, please do this. I have experienced moderate success, receiving a response
from about 25% of the membership. However your input is important, if you have
lost track of the survey in your email, I can send you another one. I have been
told that it takes about half an hour to complete, based on input from several
of our busiest members who were able to take the time to complete it. Please
think of this as part of your contribution of volunteer time in this “all volunteer”
organization.