Building Community Through Volunteer Action

Established by Governor Tom McCall and other community leaders in 1969, SOLV is a non-profit organization that brings together government agencies, businesses and individual volunteers in programs and projects to enhance the livability of Oregon. SOLV annually generates approximately 85,000 volunteer opportunities and provides resources to more than 250 Oregon communities, focusing on cleanup, beautification and enhancement projects.

On February 8, Jack McGowan, executive director of SOLV for the last 18 years, will offer his perspective on a number of key issues as he approaches retirement from the organization this year. What good models exist for truly dynamic partnerships between government, non-profits and the private sector for addressing societal problems? How has the volunteer landscape changed over the last two decades and how is it expected to change in the future? And are we preparing a future generation of leaders for active citizenship?

Prior to joining SOLV, McGowan worked for the New York Stock Exchange, covered local and international news as a correspondent for KGW-TV and served as an assistant to Mayor Bud Clark. Since joining SOLV, he and his wife Jan McGowan, SOLV's associate director, have witnessed the organization grow from a one-person operation to the largest volunteer non-profit in the Northwest. He has also been the recipient of numerous awards, including the President's "National Award on Volunteerism," the Oregon Business Association's "Oregon Citizen of the Year Award" and "The Portland First Citizen Award."