<br /> . <br /> Sub-committees established <br /> Sub-committees include: 1.) education program sub-committee; 2.) finance sub-committee; and <br /> 3.) facility planning sub-committee which is working on the facility plan and design. Lorna <br /> Baldwin of Stream Team is on the education program subcommittee. Steve Gordon of LCOG is <br /> a member of the finance sub-committee. The finance sub-committee is relatively in-active at this <br /> time until some of the final location and design decisions are made. However, in his role as a <br /> representative with the United Front lobbying group Steve has advocated for $150,000 for <br /> planning and design of the education center on behalf of the wetlands partnership. The money <br /> could potentially come from the US Department of Education as a grant to the City for the <br /> education center effort. Scott Duckett is on the facility planning sub-committee. As of the <br /> writing of this paper, the funds are still in the budget yet to be approved in Congress. <br /> Non-profit established <br /> In addition to the creation of subcommittees, the workgroup established anon-profit corporation <br /> through the assistance of attorney David Atkins. The non-profit chose the name Willamette <br /> Resources and Education Network (WREN) to represent the mission of the workgroup. The new <br /> non-profit chose interim Board of Directors and completed all of the steps necessary for <br /> establishment as a registered non-profit. Lane County Audubon Society was appointed as the <br /> interim fiscal agent for the nonprofit until the nonprofit establishes it's own financial track record <br /> and gains 501(c)(3) status for tax donation and other fiscal purposes. <br /> Pro-bono work provided <br /> More volunteers joined and donations of services began in the early part of 2000. Funk and <br /> Associates, Inc. provided pro bono services to develop a logo for the non-profit group. WBGS <br /> Architecture & Planning, PC, has entered into an agreement with WREN to design and create a <br /> model of the new wetland education center. They will defer payment for services unti125% of <br /> the total estimated project costs have been raised. If no funding comes through then there is no <br /> liability. Additionally, Satre & Associates has signed on with WREN to provide landscape <br /> architecture services through the same arrangement as WBGS and is working with the group to <br /> design the education center outdoor areas. <br /> Work group expands <br /> Many new participants have recently joined the effort including Neil Bjorklund and Eric Wold <br /> from the City of Eugene's Planning and Development Department (PDD). The initial monthly <br /> workgroup meetings included 8-10 people on average. At some recent meetings, over 30 <br /> individuals squeezed into LCOG meeting rooms where we literally had standing room only. The <br /> range of participants is impressive and includes a blend of government, business, non-profit, <br /> volunteers, and university students. The WREN Board conducts business meetings following the <br /> regular monthly workgroup meetings and many government employees excuse themselves or <br /> declare they are off working hours and representing themselves as a citizen (no Public Works <br /> staff are involved in these meetings). <br /> <br />