We are so excited to introduce the newest member to the ROP staff team: Monica Pearson!
If you recognize the organizing powerhouse’s name, it’s probably from her kickass organizing for human dignity in Clatsop County and her years on the ROP Board of Directors. She will be working with human dignity groups up and down the Oregon Coast and in Southwestern Oregon! Read on to learn more about Monica, and please join us in welcoming Monica Pearson to the team by sending her an email at monicap@rop.org!
Monica Pearson joined ROP staff in March 2021 after serving three years on the Board of Directors. She moved to rural Oregon in 2016 and was a founding member of Indivisible North Coast Oregon (INCO) and North Coast Progressive Action. She led the INCO Oppose Bigotry team and founded the ongoing Happy Hour for Equity. She worked closely with Consejo Hispano and did lots of work on the No on 105 campaign where she coordinated canvassing teams to talk with local business, city, and county leaders about upholding Oregon’s sanctuary law and the importance of them speaking out about it publicly. Before her move to Oregon, she focused most of her work on equal access to reproductive options and the right to reproductive self-determination. Her passion is organizing to build a more just world where all community members can participate fully in society.
A message from Monica:
I feel like I just won the lottery! I have been a fan of ROP from my first encounter. People who have known ROP for years often take for granted what an anomaly this rural centered network really is. I was so used to the top-down movement strategy I had worked with in the past that I thought it was the only thing that existed. ROP was so refreshing, and the people on staff and throughout the network that I met were so real, and so aligned with my values. I am excited to use the skills I developed over the years in my previous work life to be part of this movement to help human dignity groups realize and develop their people power and work toward a thriving rural Oregon. I am excited that we can start transitioning out of our virtual meetings and can’t wait to meet all of you in person!
Interested in joining the team, or know someone who is hungry to build rural people power? Check out our two exciting job opportunities:
Organizer – Full-Time, Rural Oregon
We are seeking a full-time organizer to build and strengthen the movement for justice in several rural and frontier counties in Oregon. We are looking for organizers that have a demonstrated ability to develop local leaders over time, use grassroots organizing to build community power, understand issues impacting small-town and rural communities, experience organizing with people most impacted by intersecting oppressions, enthusiastic about traveling and meeting new people, and excellent communication skills. Check out the full job description and application at rop.org/careers.
Pantry Manager – Full-Time, Cottage Grove, OR
Do you believe in reducing barriers and obstacles to emergency food access? We are hiring a full-time multilingual pantry manager to coordinate the day-to-day operations of our pantry we are running out of our Community Building Center in Southern Lane County! Check out the full job description and application at rop.org/careers.
We are always on the lookout for amazing volunteers!
Our Community Building Center in Cottage Grove is continuing to host food and hygiene supply distributions twice a week, and all over the state human dignity groups are taking action to advance democracy and human dignity. Sign up to volunteer, donate food or supplies to our Community Building Center, or reach out to get connected to community organizing for justice in your local community by emailing your local organizer or emailing us at office@rop.org!