Assistance League of Eugene

Assistance League of Eugene puts caring and commitment into action through our community based philanthropic programs. We are 250+ local volunteers who reach out to our community, on a daily basis, with our Thrift Shop and nationally approved philanthropic programs. Our chapter provides ongoing education, administrative guidance and empowerment to our member volunteers and these key principles are employed to guide our chapter and connect us to the national organization. We design, fund and implement unique philanthropic programs to meet the needs of our community.

The Assistance League of Eugene has identified four strategic priorities: 1. Increase Membership Growth and Leadership Development - increase membership and the number of members in leadership positions by 2%. 2. Increase chapter visibility in our community - Develop and implement strategies to increase the effective use of social media across all platforms. Create and incorporate a customer service based marketing strategy that educates both our members and our community. 3. Fund Development - Determine and implement effective pricing and marketing techniques to increase our thrift shop exposure and sales annually. 4. Improve assessment, evaluation and impact of our current philanthropic programs - establish effective measurements and criteria for evaluating each of our philanthroic programs.

Assistance League of Eugene was established as a guild in 1973 and became chartered on April 27, 1978. Our first philanthropic project, Shopping ala Cart, was adopted in 1973. Our Gently Used Thrift Shop was opened at its present location in 1991. Our second philanthropic project was started in 1975 and originally was called "Science in a Suitcase" and it has evolved into "Oregon Heritage". We currently administer nine philanthropic programs that serve our community's needs on many levels. We have increased program emphasis in the area of children including clothing children and addressing childhood hunger. We have a committed volunteer base of 250+ members with varied personal backgrounds and skills. We have a dedicated Leadership Team who emphasize expanding the chapter's programs and promote effective volunteerism. We look to the future with confidence built upon community and member support.

1. Increase Membership Growth and Leadership Development - Researching a flexible option/no requirements option, creation of a yearly chapter Job Fair, improved board training and development. 2. Increase chapter visibility in our community - Creation of a community newsletter, creation of a thrift shop marketing committee, creation of a Facebook page and increased use of Constant Contact and improved our Guidestar rating, 3. Fund Development - researching donor software programs, expand our thrift shop marketing stratgeries, maintain the chapter's 91% return to the community, establish a current endowment and investment policies, establish a current donor list, research additional chapter revenue streams. 4. Improve assessment, evaluation and impact of our current philanthropic programs - Conduct a yearly community needs assessment, meet yearly with program chairs and evaluate how the programs fit our strategic plan, develop criteria for measurement of all chapter programs.