“Time and time again, City Club research and events have enhanced my understanding of the complexity of civic issues and the need for informed compromise.”
A long-time City Club member, Joey Pope received the 2008-2009 City Club Award, offered
for outstanding contributions to City Club and the community and for setting an example of
inspired citizenship.
What led to your initial involvement in City Club?
Upon returning to Portland after college, I felt a need to branch out. I became a precinct
committee woman; however, I found partisan politics unhelpful (even then!). City Club became
a welcome outlet with its ethic of non-partisan, open discussion of all sides of issues and the
ramifications of their various solutions.
What inspires you about Portland and City Club?
I believe Portland functions in the best interests of most of its residents. It does so, in part, as
a result of the existence of an underlying sense of citizen empowerment. Significant numbers
of residents feel they can make a difference, and spend hours — parts of lifetimes — trying to
do so! The opinions and activism all go into a mix which, though time and resource consuming, results in an informed populous
with a stake in the system. City Club offers perhaps the best venue for involvement with civic issues.
Why do you volunteer your time and talents to this organization?
I believe meaningful, long term involvement must offer the following:
• An inspiring, relevant mission — one that compels interest, commitment and time
• The respect of being treated as a professional capable of strategic thoughts about the organization (rather than just as an
envelope stuffer or check writer — important as those activities are!)
• Opportunities for personal growth
City Club offers all of the above!