Willapa Chapter DAWN

Willapa Chapter DAWN is a nonprofit organization.
Donations are tax deductible.

Psalm 40: 8

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Accomplishments ... and Attempts

First Year: 2002

Willapa Chapter DAWN (Domestic Abuse Women's Net) certified in May for primary purpose of funding attorneys to assist in family abuse situations. Boneta Campbell assisting Incorporator Anne Grimm. Other director/officers found, Web site prepared and uploaded to Internet. First directors included Betty Arnold, Betty Miller and Carrie McDonald.

Opportunity with funding for a secondary purpose of assisting small businesses available was begun by August. Credit union account established, accepted donations of money and labor.

Meetings with the Pacific County Economic Development Council and other organizations to try integrating with community, attempts made to arrange for an MOU with Washington State SBA. By the end of the year, still not being taken seriously.

Microsoft Works pages -- as word processor, spreadsheet and database files constructed. Proved useless for upgrade when computer crashed and newer software installed. Files saved on diskette could not be converted to the newer Windows software. Technology! Win a few, lose a few.

Willapa DAWN table at the WorkSource Job Fair at Raymond High School gym. All five directors were in Raymond for at least a while that stormy day. A dozen potential clients were signed, then and later provided assistance and referrals. Attendance by the public poor due to lack of timely publicity.

The monthly PROSPECT emailed newsletter, begun in April.

A direct mailing to small businesses in both counties and The Queen of Up speaker Joan Hartley arrived for a multiple meeting weekend, in North and South Pacific County, and Wahkiakum County.

Three completed client Web sites were uploaded, two South Bend and one Raymond. One Hispanic family with a restaurant, produce stand and Internet Café. Two single women, one with a book store and the other Asian with consignment shop and a quality manufactured home and RV community for 55 and older leisure living. Assisted were a number of other potential clients, with varying minor results.

A small Eleanor Roosevelt Day celebration by Willapa DAWN and Willapa Valley Grange planned and publicized [ninth anniversary, first observance]. Arrangement for participation of Raymond Branch of Timberland Regional Library secured and recommended August reading list posted.

Eleanor Roosevelt Day listing accepted [for the tenth anniversary] by Chase's Calendar of Events 2004.

Four directors met with the PCEDC director to no avail; further MOU attempts with Washington State SBA came to nothing (no reply to DAWN contacts); some contacts made with SCORE.

Through the Washington State Grange with help from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, computer centers open to public established around the state, including one Wahkiakum County at Gray's River Grange with members in Pacific/Wahkiakum County community. Willapa Valley Grange and Willapa Chapter DAWN serving the greater Pacific/Wahkiakum County community, continued entirely alone, without outside help except for private donations and support of a few dedicated individuals.

Two founding directors attended Grant Writing class. Too busy with building DAWN to write grants themselves.

Some of many publicity releases printed, others not. Nor did buying advertising help.

Corrections to the direct mailing to businesses throughout Pacific and Wahkiakum counties list made--listings added to and removed from the spreadsheet.

US Small Business Administration free business cards posted on the SBA Web site for Pacific and Wahkiakum county cities. Many more business and professional people contacted than took advantage. Still, far greater percentage of participation than almost all other centers of population, nationwide, and worldwide. (To be discontinued by SBA a few years later.)

Web site expansion for Willapa DAWN and Willapa Valley Grange continued, more pages as well as page size.

Raymond Fire Department burned a building on the future headquarters site of Willapa Chapter DAWN, the view property in Menlo had a driveway installed before deeded -- for the eventual home of DAWN -- abutting Willapa Valley School property and overlooking Pacific County Fairgrounds.

Donations received throughout the year: money, equipment, labor, older computer equipment. Refurbished and with newer software installed, loaned to existing and projected small businesses. Monthy joint DAWN/Grange meetings held, other business done by email and telephone contacts, face to face meetings as necessary.

All five director/officers had computers and online by the end of year with their own email accounts. The excellent Public Utility District on threatened lawsuit -- in order to save the ratepayers the cost of a legal battle -- sold out as Internet Service Provider to a far larger ISP, ReachONE (not either of those threatening to take the PUD to court) and the transition in mid-December went surprisingly smoothly. Most directors and three male non-member of DAWN advisors, also members of Willapa Valley Grange.

Essay contest announced: new laptop computer with software to value of about $2400,

Terms -- as with all Willapa Chapter DAWN loans -- one year renewable loan of the computer, which after use of up to three years could result in withdrawal, replacement, or donation to the business ... all depending upon the success of the use being made.

Another Winter Job Fair reservation made with WorkSource, and Pacific County Fair reservation for two booths to be used August 25th through 28th.

Saturday, the 17th of January, Donna Moody, the new 2004 secretary of Grays River Grange accepted delivery of the new Pentium IV Centrino Laptop, software and printer for her business FittingPrettyByDonna, a dressmaking and design shop. Her son, Karl Moody, helped set up the system for her. Karl agreed to being another of the advisors for Willapa DAWN. Donna, and Audrian Belcher of the Bradley House Bed and Breakfast in Cathlamet, as two more DAWN clients, agreed to be officer/directors in Wahkiakum County. Audrian considered joining Elochoman Grange, aiding DAWN in covering Wahkiakum County by two directors being members of different subordinate Granges.

An Eleanor Roosevelt Day schedule expansion was discussed, and contact made with new director of Timberland Regional Library about the possible involvement of more branch libraries. Five counties; 27 branch libraries; seven cooperative library centers. This did not happen.

The MEMORANDA newsletter was begun, with the first MEMORANDUM emailed 15 March.

Amendments sent to the Secretary of State, accepted and a revised 501(c)3 multiple page and many enclosures form, sent to the IRS.

A Chase's Calendar of Events 2005 form was received for update and relisting of the Eleanor Roosevelt Day observance. Contracts for approval from the Pacific County Fair Board. And a CPA said DAWN was on his list for the annual tax report to the IRS.

Eleanor Roosevelt Day celebration moved forward to Sunday a week earlier, when Ida Heath, the active 98-year-old Treasurer of Willapa Valley Grange received her 60 year certificate and pin. Publicized, but again, with less than full participation by newspapers who received the information and photographs. A surprise for Ida, was the certificate signed by Governor Gary Locke, arranged for by Representative Brian Hatfield of the legislature.

The Pacific County Fair presence of Willapa DAWN included Grange brochures. More important was visitor contact resulting in more small business participation. One PowerPoint program or another ran continously during the hours the fair was open.

We did not take part in the Health Fair held at Willapa Harbor Hospital in South Bend, but it was suggested we should have a table another time. We requested to be notified of date.

By October, 17 free business cards listed for Raymond on the US Small Business Web site. More throughout the Willapa DAWN community.

Small business success story of the year Donna Moody, of Fitting Pretty, who had made the most progress, at least in part with the help of Willapa DAWN.

Moved Eleanor Fund established with donations made at Pacific County Fair to Raymond Branch of Raymond Federal Bank, where Willapa Chapter DAWN literature and a donation jar found space.

Signed on for North Pacific County Health Fair later in the year; Made up EXCEL files, including one of email addresses for legislature and state daily newspapers; Signed a few more clients for the DAWN business links page, and a few more DAWN members; Signed with J R Accounting to handle IRS reports and other DAWN business.

Deposited to Eleanor Fund the proceeds from donated automobile sold on eBay, a tax refund and other smaller donations; Contacted Legislature about establishing Eleanor Roosevelt Day as state holiday for various reasons unable to start early enough so attempts for the session nonproductive; Publicity releases made, mainly nonproductive; WorkSource Job Fair limited to school student job applicant training so without adult participation we did not get involved.

Loss within two years of Willapa Valley Grange officers by death, with further curtailment of activities due to accidents and severe illness, made continued cooperation between our two organizations impractical.

Eleanor Roosevelt Day, a no-host brunch at the Corner Cafe in Raymond on the Second Monday in August, with free cake and coffee distributed to everyone attending.

Decided not to take part in the Pacific County Fair with a booth of our own--had brochures available. Fewer in attendance every year. Did not take part in the Wahkiakum County fair either, as we had not the year before.

The Raymond and South Bend chambers of commerce combined as the Willapa Harbor Chamber of Commerce, meeting in community hall in South Bend. A new part time executive director, Anne Steele, had office established at the Visitor Center in Raymond, and she became a new member of Willapa Chapter DAWN one of whose directors joined the chamber of commerce.

Prepared the new Web site with the WillapaDAWN.net domain name and uploaded to the Internet Service Provider.

Annual meeting November 14, 2005, no-host brunch at the Corner Cafe in Raymond. Decison made for current directors to remain in office.

A new member of DAWN, Paula Frazer--now Paula Owens --began teaching Buying/Selling with eBay classes evening and daytime at Raymond campus of Gray's Harbor College.

No progress with Washington State offices of the Small Business Administration in establishing an MOU. Unable even to continue any kind of dialogue.

Eleanor Fund donation jars accepted only at the Raymond Branch of the Raymond Federal Bank and Flowers by Lynne. Expanded email contacts with those working against Domestic Abuse not only within the country, but internationally.

In January began using telephone and email for DAWN meetings for lack of a Grange quorum. Did not take part in ineptly planned, poorly presented WorkSource, shrinking Pacific County Fair nor Health Fairs, as just not worth the effort of previous years. Discussed approach to attorneys to secure one interested in working with DAWN; finally found one to interview; he insisted we first change bylaws to include males as members, and put our DAWN efforts into fund-raising. (Too obvious a take-over project: play a group of women for fools, our organization working to his rules and benefit.)

Presented Storyteller Debbie Dimitre on Eleanor Roosevelt Day weekend in August, at the Northwest Carriage Museum in partnership with the museum. DAWN portion of donations deposited in the Eleanior Fund. Popular and successful undertaking. Became Nonprofit Organization member of the Willapa Harbor Chamber of Commerce.

Willapa Valley Grange closed. Again presented Storyteller Debbie Dimitre on Eleanor Roosevelt Day weekend in August, at the Northwest Carriage Museum in partnership with the museum. DAWN portion of donations deposited in the Eleanor Fund. Plans made to have the same program for a third time in 2008. Had lost director Betty Arnold who died, Carrie McDonald who cut back because of health problems, secured Lynne Goodwin as director. Lynne provided flowers for Debbie Dimitre program . . . determined there was no Eleanor Roosevelt rose and began research into how to get one established.

Stopped distribution of MEMORANDUM . . . group emails to directors instead. Cut back on PROSPECT newsletter, using it to advertize for suggestions for executive director. Email from DAWN was no longer reaching Crisis support Network -- seemed to be deliberately blocked so deleted from mailing list. Chamber executive director Anne Steele suggested Patricia Martin for DAWN executive director. Bilingual (Spanish) single mother Pattie working to support her family and taking paralegal training, inverviewed. Signed to begin part time in October. Same non-employee/business owner basis as accountant, for record-keeping simplicity. Pattie introduced at September chamber meeting, began representation immediately. DAWN continued seeking newsletter editor, grant writer.

Upon checking the Menlo Willapa Chapter DAWN property, found the arrangement with a previous Willapa Valley School District superintendent was no longer in effect. A few years ago after a driveway from Richter Road had been constructed to access the DAWN lot, the school had built a trail up alongside Richter Road, across the eastern exposure of the DAWN lot, northward to where it again joined school propery. Agreement was secured from the superintendent -- Attorney Mike Sullivan who had chosen to work with the school for awhile rather than as judge -- to cancel the trespass. Evidence of continued and expanded use of the trail was found in August before the new 2007/2008 school year began in fall.

Pattie Martin contacted the school and made arrangements with the new superintendent (female) and principal (male) for the school to put up a barricade and no tresspassing signs at either end of trespass access. They would notify students, parents and construction crew building the new school. They asked for DAWN to supply posts, chain, locks and signs -- Pattie agreed. Materiel (purchased at Bud's Lumber in South Bend) delivered to school.

Rather than scheduled physical meetings most DAWN business being conducted by email, telephone calls and occasional brunches. All involved with Internet access, most living locally. Anyone on vacation or out of state no problem. Decisions made by consensus.

Storyteller Debbie Dimitre had appeared for two years at the Northwest Carriage Museum as sponsored by the museum and DAWN, and had agreed to return in 2008. The Raymond Branch of Timberland Regional Library could be counted on to continue repeats of Eleanor Roosevelt displays. Committee discussion (Pattie Martin, Anne Grimm, Anne Steele) concerning expansion of Eleanor Roosevelt Day programs with suggestion of Anne Steele for an Invitational Cocktail Evening. Details to be worked out over suceeding months. Anne Steele later advised DAWN that chamber would not sponsor the Evening but DAWN could rent building at member rates.

It was learned the Raymond School was requiring hours of community service to nonprofit organizations as one prerequisite for graduation. DAWN requested students to do online searches. Reply was received in mid-December of referral.

The second observation, the tenth anniversary, couldn't help but be bigger. The new director of Timberland Regional Library (in Olympia, introduced at the South Bend Timberland Branch) had been approached and expressed interest. But this fell through and none but Raymond Branch would participate. Chase’s Calendar of Events 2004 carried the listing, however, with more to follow in 2005 and on, to be reported annually. More displays were planned, for use also later in the month of August for the Pacific County Fair booths of Willapa DAWN and Willapa Valley Grange. Some things worked out better than expected -- others, not so well. The usual way things happen year by year. Storyteller Debbie Dimitre proved so popular she became a tradition. Something more on which to build.

Opon learning Anne Steele had been let go as executive director of Willapa Harbor Chamber of Commerce, decided paid membership to the chamber by Willapa Chapter DAWN was no longer monetarily justified. It was likely another venue at lower expense could be found for the Cocktail Evening. Requirement by DAWN for executive director Pattie to attend at least one chamber meeting monthly, dropped.

Pattie had arranged for a new post office mailing address in Raymond she would monitor, and hand-carried a state tax form to accountant JeanieRae Flemetis for discussion as to best way to handle the address situation. (New address -- still in Raymond but as a post office box as no building on Menlo property -- making necessary a major update of DAWN websites.) Due mainly the extra work and problems from December 2007 storm damage Pattie offered to resign as Executive Director. Resignation finally accepted after 15 months with regrets and thanks for the work she had been able to accomplish for DAWN during that time.

New Directors chosen to replace those lost by resignation and for other reasons, and two new advisors acquired for the same reason. No progress in finding an Eleanor Roosevelt rose though search continued as also for grant writer and The PROSPECT newsletter editor.

No progress with installation of trail-blocking equipment by the Willapa Valley School. Plea made in February to wait until weather improved for use of tractor for post hole digging. Letter received from school that it had been acomplished but on checking at the end of the year found our own DAWN property had been blocked and not the school's. Nor were the supplies we had bought for them to install -- bought at the school's request -- accounted for either.

Unable to get websites properly updated during the year, until the very end. A "marking time" year.

Eleanor Roosevelt Day, the second Monday of August. Not her birthday certainly, but the date made sense -- for more than one reason. [1.] August, the only month without a three day holiday; [2.] no US citizen woman honored with a three day holiday any month of the year; [3.] a vacation month, before children have to be back in school. And, ordinarily, a time when the weather can be relied upon for outside celebrations in Southwest Washington State where the whole push for national recognition for this famous and deserving woman started.

In a most feminine way, the date was accommodating, and the beauty of it was, Eleanor and her husband had both been members of the Grange. If they belonged to the Democratic Party, most Grangers were Republican. Worth a try, and it had been easy to sell it first to the subordinate Gray's River Grange, later in June at the state convention to the Washington State Grange and in November to the National Grange. All for passage of the resolution in the year 1994.

Eight years later much had changed. The woman who had the idea was divorced, had relocated and belonged to a different subordinate -- and the woman whose idea the resolution was, had died. But, Willapa Chapter DAWN (Domestic Abuse Women’s Net) chose the world-renown and revered woman as inspiration -- representative of what the new non-profit organization stood for. A planned joint outdoor observance with the Willapa Valley Grange #527 seemed safe enough. Certainly you can’t be safe weather-wise anywhere -- though in the rainy Pacific Northwest August is as surefire as you can get.

The ninth anniversary, the second week of August, was chosen months earlier for the Eleanor Roosevelt Day outdoor picnic. Accommodating again, not Monday but Saturday, for the convenience of those who might attend. With alternative of an indoor potluck at the Grange hall, in case of rain. The Raymond Branch of the five county Timberland Regional Library System made up an Eleanor Roosevelt reading list and brochure, for an August display of books.

Summer progressed. A storm was always possible, but week by week it was the best haying weather in living memory of most local Grangers. So dry, it developed, fire danger made even thinking of asking for a permit for an outdoor gathering on a brush-covered lot on the chosen day, laughable. Press releases had gone out and were published, but then in the end the order for sanitary and garbage receptacles had to be canceled, as also the delivery of folding tables and chairs. Referral signs directing people to the Grange hall were discussed, but it was decided to instead post an individual to direct any who arrived, to the alternate site. This was done.

Her birthday in October is celebrated elsewhere. The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum for example, would honor Eleanor Roosevelt in 2003 on her birthday with a special program in October. The first celebration of the Eleanor Roosevelt Day weekend anywhere in the country, or world, however, couldn’t have started much smaller. And in a remote location on the coast across the country from where Mrs Roosevelt spent most of her life. Somehow, world traveler that she was during World War II and representative to the United Nations later as a widow, we think she would have approved.