Author Archives: Gordon Riggs

By Gordon Riggs, CNA Media Team Lead

When I was asked to write this month’s CNA Voices column, I asked myself, “What is my voice?” With my steady hand as Media Team lead, I encourage and guide members of the Media Team to share their perspectives and engage with one another as we address the tasks before us.

I believe we do our best work when it is something we truly want to do, for which we have a passion. Sometimes we don’t know if there’s passion until we try it out.

Almost two years ago, my neighbor – he knew of my interest in and knowledge of computers – invited me to join him at a Media Team meeting, because members were to discuss the CNA website. Soon thereafter, I found myself working with others to update the look and feel of the website.

Several months later, I jumped into the layout and graphic design for CNews. What propelled me forward was the joy and challenge of learning something new and discovering that I was developing a local community of my own. That sense of community – being part of something larger than myself and seeing tangible results – ultimately drew me into the role of Media Team lead.

Each month when the Media Team meets, with anywhere from five to 12 in attendance, our agenda covers topics pertinent to the publication of CNews, keeping the CNA website up to date, and finding ways to make CNA’s new Facebook page more relevant to the Concordia neighborhood.

We spend time brainstorming story ideas for upcoming issues of CNews. We are constantly asking ourselves how each story connects readers with their local neighborhood. Some story ideas take months to fully develop, others take less time.

Lately, we have tackled some behind-the-scenes topics such as: determining why some households don’t receive CNews in the mail, developing contingency plans when the content and ads exceed the space available, and defining criteria for events to include in the Concordia community events calendar.

Today, when I see a mural I recognize or a business that was featured in the paper, I find myself leaning in for a closer look. I experience a direct connection with my community.

Are you curious about your neighborhood? Come join us with your perspectives, questions and your voice. See where it might lead you.

Editor’s note: The Media Team meets monthly on the first Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. in McMenamins Kennedy School Community Room. You can contact Gordon directly at MediaTeamLead@ConcordiaPDX.org or 503.515.8209. Explore more at Facebook.com/groups/ConcordiaPDX and ConcordiaPDX.org.

Concordia News needs people who:

• Have a knack with the written word
• Want to practice and/or hone their writing skills
• Like talking to people who are helping keep Concordia the greatest neighborhood in Portland
• Want to contribute a few hours a month to keeping neighbors informed about what is – and maybe isn’t – happening here

If that describes you, consider this an invitation. We want you to write about topics that speak to the diverse interests of members of the Concordia neighborhood.

Stories fit for print encompass myriad truly local topics. (We leave national coverage to CNN, statewide to The Oregonian and citywide to the Portland Tribune.) Here’s a sampling of what we publish:

• New businesses
• Development
• Art
• History
• Culture
• Environment
• Issues affecting seniors, parents, children and families
• Schools
• Events

Interested? Email CNewsEditor@ConcordiaPDX.org today!