The Vision Action Network is a private non-profit organization committed to the promotion and support of collaborative community-based problem solving in Washington County.

Mission History Core Values First Three Years Board of Directors Inter-Religious Action Network

To promote and support community-based problem solving through relationship building, planning and implementation processes that coordinate and optimize public, private and individual actions and resources.

Listen.   Focus.   Act.

Listen: VAN assesses community needs and serves as an information resource for important community issues.

Focus: VAN prioritizes practical strategies that respond to established community needs.

Act: VAN is a catalyst for community initiatives that enhance the quality of life in our community. These initiatives are encouraged and sustained in one of three ways:

1. By supporting the mission of an existing organization.



2. Through a partnership among several organizations.



3. Through a collaborative effort involving multiple partners, which may result in the creation of a new organization.

History

Issue Papers (PDF)

Executive Summary

Aging Housing Children & Families Education Environment Basic Needs Primary Healthcare Behavioral Health        -- Appendix

Download free Acrobat reader

Core Values

	Relationships are Primary: This is the beginning and makes all other things possible.
	Trust and Caring: We bring people together to encourage their trust in each other and to provide focus for their efforts to build better community.
	Diverse, Inclusive and Meaningful Engagement: We actively seek out leadership that reflects the community, involving all sectors and cultures.
	Collaboration and Partnership: We promote effective, ongoing cooperation between the various partners to build a culture of collaboration to address community needs; building community is a journey, not a destination.
	Results and Benefits: We are committed to working with involved partners and stakeholders to deliver results that will benefit Washington County residents, business and community institutions.

Successes During VAN’s First Three Years

The Vision Action Network’s first three years of operation were a great success:

	VAN facilitated the development of the now independent Community Housing Fund, a community-based non-profit that provides new resources for proposed affordable housing projects for individuals and families living in Washington County.
	VAN helped, together with the Commission on Children & Families, to create the volunteer center, Hands on Washington County, which opened in the fall of 2004.
	VAN fostered the formation of the Inter-Religious Action Network, which sponsors active participation by diverse local faith groups to raise awareness and initiate collective action on community issues.
	VAN provided support for the creation of iGiveWhereiLive.net, a website portal designed to make it easy to donate to non-profit organizations serving Washington County residents.
	VAN created the annual Cameron Award for Outstanding Community Collaboration and honored Charlie Cameron and the Washington County Board of Commissioners with the first annual award.

See the Issue Update section for a complete description of recent VAN efforts.

Board of Directors

The current Vision Action Network Board includes the following individuals:

The Board of Directors has responsibility for setting organizational direction, making policy, overseeing finances and raising funds. The Board of Directors provides strategic leadership for action plan implementation and mobilization efforts, and acts as a catalyst in collaborative problem solving. The Board also provides vision to help set priorities for the community.

Want to learn more about The VAN? Have questions, comments or concerns? The VAN Staff is here to help!

Karin Kelley-Torregroza
Executive Director
(503) 846-5792
karin_kelley-torregroza@co.washington.or.us

Charla Chamberlain
Program/Administrative Coordinator
(503) 846-5792
charla_chamberlain@co.washington.or.us

Douglas Tsoi
Program Manager
(503) 846-5792
douglas_tsoi@co.washington.or.us

We look forward to hearing from you!

Call 503-846-5792
or visit www.visionactionnetwork.org for additional information.