Current News

Dearest RARE Family, 

Sure hope this message finds all of you amazing individuals happy and healthy! Busy and exciting times here at the RARE AmeriCorps Program as we celebrate the accomplishments of last year’s cohort, all while gearing up for our 28th year of service. With so much positive change taking place, well, there certainly is no lack of great news to share with all of you movers and shakers.  

As we move towards the future let us not forget the past, which is why I want to start with a round of gratitude and recognition to those who gave their all to support rural Oregon throughout the 2020-21 service year. This last service year was one for the books, having kicked it all off in the midst of a global pandemic and an array of catastrophic wildfires. I had my concerns during the first few weeks of service, only to be reminded time-and-time again that our members can do anything they set their mind to, regardless of the circumstances. Despite the countless challenges thrown at last year’s cohort, they stood strong, rising to the occasion for rural Oregon every step of the way. I couldn’t be prouder of their individual and collective accomplishments.   

Speaking of gratitude and recognition, we somehow were lucky enough to finally get to spend a few days in person with our current members on the beautiful McKenzie River at our annual End of Service Retreat. And of course, we couldn’t help but also invite the 2019-20 cohort, given they missed out on getting to attend last year (due to COVID). The event took place at the end of July and I am still overflowing with joy having gotten to spend some quality time with those who were able to attend. It’s so important that we take the time to recognize our members for all they give throughout the service year; thanking my lucky stars we got the opportunity to do so. Talk about some much-needed closure for all involved!   

And just like that, we come to the close of one service year and gear up for another. Jazzed to announce that we are well on our way to kicking off the 2021-22 service year. Per usual, we have individuals coming from across the country who will be serving rural communities ranging from Enterprise to Bandon, from Lakeview to Pendleton, etc. I am beyond excited about what the future has in store.  Thanks to the hard work of the RARE Team, it’s clear to me that we are gearing up for what I am sure will be yet another very impactful service year!  

Lastly, I want to take a moment to thank you all for the support that each of you have and continue to provide. It’s the people, the relationships, that have always been at the root of RARE. Each of you help make RARE what it is today, a Program that changes lives while delivering critical capacity to rural Oregon.  

Onward and Upward, 

Titus Tomlinson, Years 13 & 16
RARE Program Director

Dearest RARE Fam, 

I sure hope this message finds each and every one of you amazing humans happy and healthy.  Spring is upon here in Oregon and with it has come some much-needed sunshine; ample opportunity to enjoy the amazing landscape that surrounds us; and most importantly, some much-needed and long-anticipated light at the end of the pandemic tunnel.   

Most of the RARE team and our members have been vaccinated, which has me extremely excited about what the future has in store for all parties involved.  There is talk of members gathering for a multi-day rafting trip on the John Day River; service projects on the Oregon coast; group hikes amongst the wildflowers in the Columbia River Gorge; and maybe, just maybe an in-person End of Service Gathering on the McKenzie.  One of many benefits of serving rural with RARE is the adventure one embarks on with fellow members during a given service year.  I can’t even begin to tell you how happy it makes me to know this year’s members are getting that experience before we close out the service year.   

Many of our members are also returning to their respective host sites with hopes of carrying out the remainder of the service year on-site and in-person.  The return of in-person meetings, trainings, and gatherings puts the community back into community development.  Getting to connect in-person with supervisors, colleagues and community members is another big part of the RARE experience, and one that I am pleased to see many of our members returning to.   

This last year has challenged us like no other, especially those of us who desire a strong sense of connection and community.  The fact that we have worked through the majority of the service year virtually is a testament to the dedication, grit, and tenacity of the RARE team and our wonderful members.  I have nothing but respect and gratitude for these individuals who have proven that regardless of the circumstances we will continue to “get things done” for rural Oregon.  

As you can tell, there is just a bit of excitement in the air as we turn a page on this pandemic.  We have high hopes of returning to our old ways of doing as we gear up for another stellar service year come September.  Back to handshakes and hugs for this guy 😊.  Onward and upward in the weeks, months, and years ahead!  

For the love of RARE… for the love of rural Oregon!! 

Regards, 

Titus Tomlinson, Years 13 & 16
RARE Program Director

RARE Family, 

If there is one thing that has been reaffirmed for me time and time again since first being introduced to the RARE AmeriCorps Program, well, it’s that relationships matter and by working together as a network, a team, a family, we can achieve greatness. The importance of developing strong relationships is not only critical to “getting things done” but it’s also what makes this program so darn special!  

When you serve rural with the RARE AmeriCorps Program it’s a given that you walk away with new connections, a strengthened network, and if you are lucky, maybe even a lifelong friendship or two. As I reflect on my service with the RARE AmeriCorps Program it’s hard for me not to think about all the wonderful individuals who I was lucky enough to serve alongside. Many of these individuals are still part of my life, a few of whom I truly consider my closet friends. There are many reasons why I hold the RARE AmeriCorps Program so dear, but it’s always the relationships that make their way to the top of my list.  

And then there is all the passionate, driven, kindhearted members that I have had the honor of supporting throughout my 10 years of working as staff for the RARE AmeriCorps Program. Each of you, and you know who you are, that I have gotten to know and befriend hold a special place in my heart. It means the world to me to be part of your story and to know that maybe, just maybe, this Program has meant just as much to you has it has to me.  

Speaking of relationships, I can’t help but take pause and honor one young amazing man from our network, Emerson Hoagland, who recently passed. Emerson was placed with the City of Reedsport during our 24th year of service then went on to participate in the Master of Community and Regional Planning Program here at the University of Oregon. Emerson was truly a giver, always going the extra mile for anyone and everyone that needed a helping hand. I will never forget Emerson and am beyond thankful for the relationship that I was fortunate enough to develop with him. This is not meant to get you down, but rather a reminder to acknowledge those who are special to you.  

Strong relationships help get us through the ups, downs, and all arounds. Both personally and professionally. It’s this network and the relationships we develop that allow us to have such an immense impact across rural Oregon year after year. It’s this network that has made me who I am today. It’s this network that means the world to me. I am beyond thankful to all who have given me a chance, put trust in me, and have allowed me to be part of your story. 

I am sure it comes as no surprise that one of my favorite things about serving rural with the RARE AmeriCorps Program is the relationships that I have and continue to develop. With that, I can’t help but ask one favor of the group – it’s recruitment season and we are looking for the next round of movers and shakers to help us “get things done” for rural Oregon. As Alumni you know exactly what we are looking for. So, if you know someone looking to develop a new relationships, strengthen their network, all while creating positive change… please make sure to send them our way!   

Regards, 

Titus Tomlinson, Years 13 & 16
RARE Program Director

Dear friends, 

We have been listening, reflecting, and reckoning with feedback from members and alumni of color and partner organizations over the past few months. We are very grateful to all those who have connected with us and challenged our thinking during this time. On behalf of the Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) AmeriCorps Program, we sincerely apologize to all members of our community, past and present, who have been hurt, mistreated, unsupported, or put in unsafe situations during their term of service. 

While our program has a long history of community building with marginalized groups in rural Oregon, we have failed to acknowledge and move beyond the predominantly white-centric model of service we perpetuate. This is unacceptable, especially for a program that prides itself on adding capacity to Oregon’s underserved rural communities and as a professional development opportunity for the next generation of change-agents. We admit this failure and are working to address it. 

In addition to the many alumni and partners who have come forward, we are incredibly grateful to our Year 26 RARE AmeriCorps members who not only challenged us to step up, but also provided targeted feedback and suggestions for improvement. We would like to provide an update on some of the key issues we’ve heard so far from members and alumni, the changes we have made to the program in response, and our commitments for the future. 

What We Heard 

Following the murder of George Floyd and the elevation Black Lives Matter activism, members of Year 26 and alumni called on us to do more as a program to advance equity and social justice. Conversations with members in the spring of 2020 highlighted six key areas where RARE should make changes: 

• Member Recruitment & Placement – RARE’s recruitment and placement process for members needs to be re-evaluated and changed to minimize implicit bias and specifically address challenges that applicants of color may encounter. 
• Host Community Recruitment & Placement – RARE’s recruitment of host communities should begin emphasizing projects that will serve BIPOC and other systemically disadvantaged communities. By taking a more active role in the development of RARE positions, RARE can help communities scale projects appropriately and encourage resources to go towards activities that maybe have been overlooked in the past. 
• Supervisor Readiness & Support – RARE supervisors have a big impact on members’ professional development and project success. RARE should better screen supervisors during the application process to ensure they are ready for the RARE commitment, and, once placements are confirmed, RARE should provide supervisors with training and support that will help them succeed in their role. In particular, RARE needs to involve supervisors in diversity, equity, and inclusion-related trainings so that members and supervisors share a common grounding in these issues. 
• Training – While members appreciated that RARE offers diversity, equity, and inclusion-related trainings, these trainings should continue to evolve in three main ways. First, RARE should find ways to ensure that the trainings result in action, not just talk. Second, RARE should support ongoing conversations so that trainings are not isolated one-off discussions. Finally, trainings should carefully consider framing – rather than solely providing a negative narrative of injustices in Oregon’s history and current context, trainings and other conversations should emphasize the vibrancy and ongoing contributions of Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color in rural Oregon. 

• Rural Issues – RARE has a role to play in debunking rural stereotypes and providing members with a more balanced (rather than white-centric) perspective on rural Oregon history and context. 
• Influencing Funders – As a well-known program that provides resources to rural Oregon, RARE has an opportunity to share its commitment to elevating equity and justice with important funders and collaborators. RARE can use its position of influence to urge other resource-providers to re-evaluate their giving processes. 

What We’re Doing This Service Year 

RARE recognizes the urgency of taking immediate action. We have waited too long already to make changes that will better support our members of color and the communities we serve. While some changes will take time and a continued commitment on the part of RARE staff to listening, reflecting, and learning, we would like to share the immediate steps we are taking in the 2020-21 service year: 

• Member and Host Community Recruitment & Placement – As part of RARE’s 2020 program evaluation, UO masters’ students helped RARE apply an equity lens to recruitment, placement, and retention. This evaluation and research led to a set of best practices and recommended interventions that RARE should make regarding recruitment and placement. This year, RARE is making an initial overhaul of the recruitment and placement processes to increase transparency, clarify RARE’s selection criteria, and minimize implicit bias. 

• Supervisor Readiness & Support – RARE is inviting and encouraging supervisors to attend RARE trainings, particularly those related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and managing workplace relationships. While some supervisors have taken advantage of these opportunities, RARE will step up efforts in the future by requiring supervisor attendance at relevant trainings. 
• Training – RARE has added additional trainers and training sessions to bring in additional perspectives about equity and justice in rural Oregon. For the first time, RARE is partnering with a PPPM Professor, Dr. José Mélendez, to offer a six–month adaptation of his course “Engaging Diverse Communities” to interested members. We have also updated the Treasure Hunt assignment and quarterly assessments to ensure that members and supervisors are regularly reflecting on social justice in their work. 
• Rural Issues – RARE is highlighting the history and current work of rural communities of color regularly in Monday Mailings and has added questions to the Treasure Hunt assignment requiring members to identify equity-focused and BIPOC-led organizations in their region, in hopes that members will work alongside these organizations throughout their service year. We are also actively seeking BIPOC trainers from rural communities for our quarterly trainings. 
• Influencing Funders – Many of RARE’s funders and partners are already taking steps to address systemic discrimination in Oregon. This year, RARE is exploring opportunities to work with our statewide partners to identify and support host communities that wish to focus their efforts on underserved populations. 

What We’re Planning for the Future 

While the changes we are currently making may be a step in the right direction, we are only in the initial stages of re-imagining a RARE AmeriCorps Program grounded in social justice. Our longer-term efforts will require time, energy, and some outside assistance. 

Moving forward, we see a few main activities guiding our work: 

• Finalize and begin implementation of the RARE Program Evaluation – As part of the RARE Program Evaluation, we reached over 100 alumni and many community partners. We intend to use the insights from this process to guide changes, particularly to recruitment, placement, and member retention, that will strengthen RARE’s ability to make positive change for our members and they communities they serve. 
• Continue RARE staff’s listening and learning – RARE staff must continue our own training and self-work. This will come from the ongoing book club discussions we started this summer, the ways in which we filter our decisions through an equity lens, and perhaps most importantly, the sustained commitment of each of us to no longer shy away from the hard work of justice, to recognize our mistakes with humility, to apologize, and to strive to do better next time. 
• Develop a RARE Equity Plan – We plan to hire a consultant to help us investigate our values, develop goals and metrics for accountability, and host alumni listening sessions. This process will lead to an equity plan that sketches out phased interventions we can implement over the next several years. 

• Implement the Equity Plan – We hope to turn our attention to implementing the Equity Plan by Fall 2021. We must hold ourselves accountable by updating RARE systems as recommended and measuring progress as we go. We recognize the need to increase transparency and support for members and communities during the application process. In particular, we must seek out tribal governments and organizations run by and serving communities of color as hosts and encourage all hosts to include projects that advance equity in member positions. 

The RARE AmeriCorps Program is an organization in transition. Since our founding in 1994, RARE has sought to connect capacity and resources to rural communities with visions for their improved economic, social, and environmental conditions. That support has been changing and growing as the needs of our rural Oregon communities shift, from the decline of the timber industry to the birth of food systems work to economic resilience planning in response to COVID-19. We hope that by acknowledging our failures and embracing our vulnerability in the face of deeper change, we can provide better, more inclusive support to our communities, our members, and our alumni. Our aim remains the same: to nurture the next generation of community builders and leaders, help rural communities achieve sustainable natural resource bases, and improve rural economic conditions. What we are changing is our approach: we must ground our work in policies and actions that intentionally advance equity, inclusion, and justice. 

With love from RARE Program Staff, 

Titus Tomlinson, Victoria Binning, Aniko Drlik-Muehleck, Julie Foster, and Ashley Adelman 

Dearest RARE Family,   

I vividly remember having a conversation with a member who was facing significant obstacles during their first few weeks of service.  Through this conversation we spoke about the importance of a good challenge, noting that it’s often when we come to grow the most as individuals.  That member offered up a quote that stuck with me ever since and has certainly been my mantra for 2020 – “the bigger the challenge, the bigger the opportunity”.   

The last ten months have presented challenge after challenge, and yet this community always finds a way to rise to the occasion and make the most out of the situation at hand.  I truly find myself inspired on a daily basis by the RARE team, our members, and community partners; all of whom are going the extra mile to make sure every we continue to get things done for rural Oregon!  So what does this all look like in action, you ask?    

Looking back to last year’s (2019-20) cohort, our 29 members organized 291 community volunteers for 4,147 additional service hours in their communities.  These amazing individuals leveraged over $1,000,000 in grant funding for community specific projects.  And this is just the tip of the impact iceberg!  While I had significant concerns when the pandemic first hit, last year’s members proved that with the right amount of passion, energy, and drive that just about anything is possible.  How about that for turning a challenge into an opportunity!     

As you read through this edition of our Alumni Newsletter, reflect on your service, making sure to take note of the personal and professional challenges you faced.  Each of those challenges likely has a story, a learning moment, and an opportunity for growth.  Each of those challenges makes you who you are today.  So when times are tough, like have and continue to be, let us never forget about the importance of a good challenge!         

In Service,
Titus Tomlinson, Years 13 & 16
RARE Program Director