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  • 12/02/2024 1:07 PM | Chris Spalding (Administrator)

    The following is a post by Shawn Levy on behalf of OPI.

    We could dazzle you with stepovers and dekes, but we want to get the ball in the net fast, so here goes: Operation Pitch Invasion needs your help.

    We're the oldest of 107IST's charitable initiatives, and we need your time, your ideas, and, yeah, your money (well, some of it) to help our mission thrive.

    WHO ARE WE AND WHAT HAVE WE DONE?
    In 2008, when the Timbers Army organized itself to lobby for an MLS franchise in Portland, it composed a dream list of things it would do if it succeeded.

    At the top of that list? Building, restoring, and maintaining local soccer surfaces, especially in communities where there was no access to quality places to play the beautiful game. That notion was the birth of OPI, and that inspiration still drives us today. 

    OPI pursues three initiatives:

    FRIENDS OF FIELDS  Every summer, we host volunteer days in Portland parks and schools in order to restore turf, repair sprinklers and goal frames, and generally spruce up run-down facilities; to date, we've done 40 or so events and touched on dozens of fields throughout the area.

    Snake Court at Vance Park, Rockwood
    Snake Court at Vance Park, Rockwood

    OPERATION BLACKTOP  We take corners of pre-existing playgrounds, slap down new lines, anchor some goal frames, and create permanent futsal courts; since 2015, we've built 20 courts in parks and schoolyards all over Portland, as well as in Beaverton, Vancouver, and Battleground.

    Robert Grey School in SW Portland
    Robert Grey School in SW Portland

    FIELDS FOR ALL  In partnership with the Timbers' Stand Together program, we've built side-by-side high-end futsal courts, with brand new asphalt, highway-quality surfacing, and durable fencing, in public areas adjacent to schools, parks, and recreation centers; two of these are in Portland, two in the Rockwood neighborhood of Gresham, and one each in Woodburn and Forest Grove.

    Anyone can help fix up the park!
    Anyone can help fix up the park!

    And then there's the one-of-a-kind Bless Field, a fenced-in turf field in the New Columbia neighborhood of North Portland, right next to an elementary school and a Boys and Girls Club.

    (You can see all of the places where we've built something right here.)

    WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?
    1) We're broke. OPI is a lean beast: We've never had a dedicated staff or office; we're just three or four uncompensated volunteers, none of whom has a background in fundraising. Historically, we've received annual support from the 107IST, as well as occasional one-time grants from various organizations and individuals. But we have no regular sponsors. And since the pandemic, donations have fallen significantly while our building costs have more or less doubled.

    2) And we're lonely. Our community used to turn out in overwhelming numbers to support our volunteer work, but that has thinned to a trickle. Field days once routinely enticed 50 or more folks; the past few years, we've been lucky to hit 20.

    So: Our People: Help us!

    WHAT CAN YOU DO?
    Do you like merch? We're raffling some cool goodies at the No Pity Holiday sale at the Axe & Rose on December 7, and we'll be debuting some OPI-branded stuff in 2025, so keep an eye peeled.

    Do you have experience in non-profit marketing or fundraising? Drop us a line and let's chat.

    Are you doing any holiday giving, and/or does your employer have a program to match  employees' charitable contributions? (We're a bona fide 501(c)(3), fyi.) You can donate here.

    Do you have work gloves and some friends or kids who can join you for a few hours of fun outdoor work on a weekend morning in the summer? Subscribe to our email list (at the SUBSCRIBE button here) and we'll let you know when you can join us to restore some local fields.

    In short:  Reintroduce yourself to OPI, or come meet us for the first time, and…

    HELP US KEEP SOCCER CITY USA SOCCER CITY USA!!!


  • 10/30/2024 2:16 PM | Jonathan Everett (Administrator)

    If youre reading this, it means you’re interested — and it means that we’re interested in you! Many people sit in silence, wondering if board service is right for them (and for the board). Hopefully, this blog helps clear up some questions about the board’s responsibilities while also helping guide you in your decision to either run for the board, or not. This helpful link can be a good starting point: Board Readiness Assessment.

    The 107IST board of directors is a diverse group of individuals who are passionate about our mission and our ability to help move the organization forward for our members, our teams and our community. We spend anywhere from 2 to 10 hours a week on work at the board level, but it often depends on a variety of external factors. There are a lot of misconceptions about what the board is responsible for and, more specifically, what are not.

    Some things we are responsible for:

    1. Meet monthly to discuss current topics and prioritize the organization’s efforts
    2. Appropriately budget, continually manage, and monitor the use of funds in the organization
    3. Commit to participate in at least one subcommittee 
    4. Meet and maintain relationships with partner organizations 
    5. Negotiate vendor contracts (rent, utilities, etc.)
    6. Review our mission statement and corporation status to ensure compliance with our 501c7 designation
    7. Establish a working relationship with the Timbers and Thorns front offices
    Some things we are not responsible for:
    1. The creation and artistic direction of merchandise

    2. The creation and artistic direction of tifo

    3. Game day operations or atmosphere 

    Below are some examples of board related votes and decisions made this year:

    1. 1737 SW Morrison Street: As a board, we voted in early 2024 to to move all the 107IST operations to our new location, The Axe & Rose.  It took many months of internal discussion, planning, and debate about whether or not the organization should make the commitment and sign a long-term lease.  As we all know, we eventually went forward and voted yes to make the move and consolidate all of our operations into one location.

    2. 107IST board terms and limits: We voted in 2024 to change board terms to be two years instead of three.  We also voted to limit board members to no more than two consecutive terms. This move helps to ensure regular leadership renewals and creates more opportunities for new voices to contribute as we continue to work on fostering a more dynamic and inclusive board.

    3. Re-engage Timbers Front OfficeAs strongly voiced by membership, the board took the action of re-engaging with the Timbers Front Office for the first time since 2021, to continue advocating on behalf of supporters while establishing a new working relationship rhythm. 

    4. Data management strategy: This year, the board prioritized building out a data management dashboard to provide visibility into org spend, cashflow, donations, and member growth to ensure decisions were being made using the data we already have. Working with a few volunteers who have the technical expertise, we now have a deeper understanding of our financial picture, with a monthly readout.

    5. Event space funding: When budgets were due for fiscal year 2024, we had not yet made the formal decision to create an event space.  While we knew there were plans to build an event space and beer garden, it wasn’t budgeted to make building improvements and investments (OLCC licensing, insurance, painting, networking, etc.).  At a board meeting earlier in 2024, we debated what would be an appropriate amount to fund the new event space and agreed on a number that we all would be comfortable with to get the space up and running.

    If you have experience in finance, marketing, communications, previous board experience, city planning or any other areas of general management, we would love to have you submit your candidacy for the upcoming election! 

  • 10/03/2024 8:29 PM | Chris Spalding (Administrator)

    The following is a post from Tina on behalf of the Capos/DnTs for the Rose City Riveters and the Timbers Army.

    We (Capos and DnT) love what we do. We love to make noise for our teams whether it's shouting into the woodwork, banging on a drum or playing horns. But we wouldn’t be able to do any of it without any of you. Our community is the backbone of who we are and what we are able to do. 

    On an annual basis, we show our love and passion through this BYCAP event. Our goal is to help amplify those voices in our community that are most vulnerable. Those that have been stifled, and muted, or are barely whispers because of oppression, assault, or abuse. 

    BYCAP funds raised will provide help to the voices of children and mothers in our neighborhoods, to aid them in becoming strong and confident, to provide them with the support they need to communicate their dreams, ideas, and opinions. I know I spend a lot of time yelling, but I also want to listen, to HEAR all of your voices and theirs, the chants and drumbeats of our community.

    So - what is BYCAP?

    As the season is wrapping up, many of our friends want to “buy us (Capos, DnT) a pint” to say thanks. Thanks for helping to hype the crowd, to keep us all on time, to provide eyes and assistance when there is an interloper or altercation, to represent good habits (drink water, use sunblock), and in general for each of us buying our own tickets to turn our backs to the pitch for the season, so the sound of the North End can roll across the pitch, resonate beyond the PP rooftop and through the neighborhood. All because we have passion for our teams on the pitch. 

    While we all appreciate the random beverage, our livers can only take so much at once. We want to accept your appreciation and do something powerful with it. Thus BYCAP was born. 

    *Buy Your Capo A Pint  [or other thank you goodie]

    It has been noted that our livers cannot take so much thanks… so…  instead we have collection buckets out at our stage, nests and drums, and we ask you to donate that ‘pint’ (or soda, water, coffee) money to our fundraiser so we can help others find their voice the way we have. We get the “thank you” vibes and affection AND our community gets much needed help and support.

    On the last regular season match for both the Thorns and the Timbers please take a few spare bucks, change, or whatever you would be willing to use to give us a ‘thank you’ and instead, put the funds in a BYCAP bucket, or donate online. Help us save our livers and make a big difference in the strength and volume of our community.

    This year’s BYCAP proceeds will be going to two places: Camp Meadowood Springs (TA) and Raphael House (Riveters).

    100% of proceeds raised (both in person and online) for BYCAP will be donated. 

    Please help us surpass prior years fundraising by donating and signal boosting this event. 

    >>>  GOAL: meet and surpass the BYCAP best year  <<<
    >>>    $6240 -  the combined amount   <<<
    >>>    TA and RCR 2019 BYCAP   <<<

    A donation link will be available on the open access part of the 107ist.org website through November 8th. This will provide time for both Timbers Army & Rose City Riveters BYCAP matches, and some extra time in case of budgets and paydays, for those that may not be able to make it to the stadium, but want to say “Thanks for your passion” to the Capos/DnT.

    Timbers BYCAP in the stands - October 6th vs Dallas
    Thorns BYCAP in the stands - November 1st v. Angel City


  • 07/09/2024 10:07 PM | Rachel Greenough (Administrator)

    Please help us collect brand new school supplies for Rose Haven.  As a bonus, everyone who donates will be entered to win some great player-signed items.

    Rose Haven is located off of NW Glisan street and have been serving the Portland community for over 25 years. Rose Haven is the only day shelter and community center in Multnomah County specifically supporting women, children, and gender non-conforming individuals that are experiencing houselessness. Rose Haven is unique in that they understand domestic and sexual violence are main contributors of houselessness for women. They strive to meet basic needs, and improve the emotional, mental, and physical well-being of their guests. Rose Haven values equity and inclusivity, treating each person with dignity, and compassion. They offer community, belonging, safety, and resources to address the mental health concerns that houselessness and trauma can cause, by offering individual counseling services, wellness groups, and support groups. Rose Haven also assists their guests with reconciliation with themselves and others, when appropriate. They work to hold a space where all guests can connect, have a voice, and be empowered.

    Rose Haven is also a long-time and beloved community partner of the 107IST. Please help us spread the love by donating school supplies this summer.

    Items needed for the school supply drive include:

    • Backpacks!!!
    • Calculators
    • Glue Sticks
    • Index Cards
    • Spiral Notebooks
    • Colored pencils
    • Colored markers
    • Crayons
    • Rulers
    • Folders
    • Blunt nose scissors
    • Pens
    • Pencils
    • Highlighters
    • Pencil sharpeners
    • Pencil pouches

    What: School Supply drive for Rose Haven.

    When: All July and August home match days and member hours

    Where: Axe and Rose, 1737 SW Morrison St.

    Everyone who donates an item will also be entered into a raffle to win signed items from the Timbers and Thorns, including a scarf signed by Dairon Asprilla and a boot signed by Kelli Hubly!

  • 02/12/2024 6:47 AM | 107ist Admin (Administrator)

    Hey hey hey…!

    The 107IST board and committees are really excited to finally break the news to you, our members, about something we’ve been working on for the past few months. We’ve been limited to whom we’ve been able to talk to about it, but we can finally get you excited about it, too: We are moving into the Rack Attack building! That’s right! We’re going to have all our facilities (and more) under one roof, right across the street from the stadium on 18th & Morrison. Getting things dialed in is going to take a lot of work, and we want to get y’all hyped to pitch in.


    The plan: The front retail space that engages so well with the street is going to be a mix of a museum of our history and who we are, as well as a space for both merch teams that is more like a normal retail storefront than what we’ve typically done. You’ll be able to buy RivetGear merch on Timbers match days and No Pity Originals merch on Thorns match days! *mind blown gif* The Booked! Library, the world’s largest soccer-specific library, will have a much more visible and cozy home, and there is a back room that will be perfect for the conference table that we currently use for all of our org meetings at the Fanladen. We’ll also have a dedicated space where we can collect donations for community partners throughout the year — so you’ll always know where to donate a used cell phone or the warm socks you found on sale. The second floor actually works better as a tifo space than the current warehouse space (although the ramp up is like the one to park above Powell’s Books). The No Pity Van will be parked in the recessed portico area where it used to live on match days (we may be slinging scarves there for those in a rush), and there is enough space to also host a rotation of our food cart partners.

    While these are all amazing improvements, there is one major thing that we don’t currently have in our facilities: event space. The garage bay where they did the rack installations is perfect for us to host our own member events, from trainings and lectures to viewing parties both away and home matches (for those still not going into the stadium but who still want to be connected to the community), or big matches we’d want to watch as a big group. It will also serve as a low barrier event space for our partner organizations, which is a scarce resource around here. Not only is there a ton of space in there, but we can also roll up the garage door and expand into the portico. This, combined with the extraordinary location, is going to be a game changer for all of us. One of the major hurdles for all the events we do is finding a location, and this will eliminate that stress on our volunteers. 

    We have long had the goal of increasing our physical presence in the Stadium District, and this has presented an ideal opportunity for the 107IST to show our commitment to this city through the creation of this cultural hub and community center in the heart of Portland.

    How we got here: As you may know, we had a pop-up merch spot last year across from the stadium at 1919 Morrison. This was a notable improvement in visibility to increase memberships and merch sales, especially RivetGear. Even though we had a great relationship with the owners, managers, and tenants, the lease proposal they offered to formally occupy the space was hard for us to justify financially for what it offered. We would still be on the hook for our current lease at the Fanladen and, with the lease for the warehouse still needed, we felt it wasn’t in the best interest of our membership to pursue, especially when this other opportunity presented itself. 

    First off, this new building is with our existing facilities owners so we can get out of our current agreements for the Fanladen and warehouse  early. Second, we’ll be able to combine the administrative costs (such as power and internet). While it will still be costing us significantly more than we’re currently paying, we believe in and are betting on this community to grow to the occasion and this space’s potential.

    One of the best things we learned with the 1919 Morrison space is the value of having known, handicap accessible facilities, especially restrooms. We are committed to continuing this basic amenity and have budgeted to have professional contractors come in to make it a reality. Most of the work, however, will be on all of us to pitch in with our time, skills, and resources. 

    We know it will take a few different weekends for us to move out of the warehouse and Fanladen, and we plan to get started right away. Our first moving party will be next weekend, Feb 17 and Feb 18. If you are available to help with the move, please fill out this formWe’re also on the lookout for anyone who has a box truck, dollies, or other moving tools. 

    As we get things dialed in, we’ll be doing a couple of soft openings with the seasons starting so soon, so pop in and check out the space if you haven’t by then. 

    If you want to check out the new space, swing through this Friday (2/16) evening (between 4 and 7) when we’ll have the door open for members to experience a "before" version of the space. The current plan is to get started working on the space this weekend, so changes will start very soon!

    Be sure to track your weekly 107IST newsletter as we’ll be posting needs as we go. If you would like to join the 107IST, you can do so here.

    With your help, Onward, Rose City!

    #RCTID #BAONPDX

  • 12/27/2023 8:09 PM | Jennifer Ingraham (Administrator)

    What a wild few years it’s been. For those of us leaving the board this year after two terms — and for those remaining — we often reflect on all we’ve seen over the years: Front Office negotiations, MLS code of conduct struggles, a pandemic, many playoff runs, a Timbers Cup game at home with a week’s notice, The Athletic article, the Yates report and resulting fallout, and so much more.

    Just before the elections process starts, we usually talk as a board about what we’re looking for going into the year. This year, a few things bubbled to the surface more than others:

    • Leadership. We need someone good at project management and organization. There are always a lot of things in process, and having someone with the power to herd cats is invaluable. Also, with the Front Office issues and new Thorns ownership, someone willing to lead the organization and work with others to reimagine the path forward is needed.

    • Financial experience. Budgets! Reporting! Fundraising! This is a large part of nonprofit work, and we always need people with this experience, especially as we grow.

    • Secretary role (nonprofit administration). This is an important role. We need folks who love managing the nonprofit side of the organization: legal matters, rules, trademarks, insurance, meeting minutes, documentation and all the things that keep us a 501(c)(7).

    • Communications. We’ve really worked to improve communications over the past several years through many forums — but we can always be better. What new ideas can you bring about how to communicate with our members about our activities and work? In what spaces?

    • Conflict management and people skills. The board deals with the Front Office, volunteers, members, the community, other nonprofits and more. People who can help navigate sticky situations and interact with new partners and our community are always appreciated.

    • Forward-thinkers and organizers. We have so many ideas and so many plans, but we need minds and hands to really make them a reality. Are you good with building community and organizing events? We need you!

    Another item that came up regularly: Make sure people really understand the time commitment. Yes. It is more of a time commitment than you might realize. Between meetings (board meetings, committee meetings and other meetings as needed), there is constant communication and project work that happens. It requires a lot of time and mental energy to keep up. For some, it’s almost a part-time job; for others, it may be an hour or two a day. Still, it is something that requires dedication and it can be a lot.

    An evergreen question that arises during elections is: “Are we a working board or a strategic board”? We would love to be the latter, but we need the folks to get us to that point. We need ideas and the people to make those ideas happen. It’s one thing to say, “What the board needs is [this]!”; it’s another to take that idea and run with it. People who have ideas and inspire folks to get involved and lead projects.

    The board of today is not the same as it was 10 years ago, or even five years ago. Every year brings a new focus; a new challenge. We want you to take us to the next version of 107IST. We have a lot of things planned, and we need your energy to bring them to fruition.

  • 11/28/2023 8:00 AM | Rachel Greenough (Administrator)

    On this Giving Tuesday, please join 107IST by supporting some of the incredible community organizations we have partnered with this year.

    Portland Community Football Club and the Liberate Sports campaign stand for everything we value. Their commitment to equity and access in youth sports is unmatched, and is backed up by the unique work they do to support families who are part of their community. A competitive youth soccer org with a food pantry! That is gender-inclusive and affordable! We love PCFC and are so proud to be one of the first official sponsors for their Liberate Sports kickoff event in March 2024. Please join us and amplify the impact of your member dollars by donating today. Let them know you heard about it here by choosing “107IST” from the dropdown menu.

    Operation Pitch Invasion and Giselle Currier Scholarship Fund are independent 501C3 organizations that grew out of our 107IST community. Both are also focused on the goal of providing access for everyone to be involved in the beautiful game. OPI builds and maintains soccer and futsal courts around the Rose City, and GCSF provides direct scholarships so individuals can continue to be involved in youth soccer. Visit OPI and GCSF donation pages to donate directly to these organizations.

    In the realm of social services, we encourage your support to some trusted and effective local organizations. These folks have been doing the real work, on the ground, through some of the toughest conditions ever. With the politicization of poverty and houselessness, they have faced unprecedented backlash and hate while doing their best to serve all individuals with dignity and respect. Please show them some love if you can. Rose Haven, Blanchet House, Outside In, Hygiene4All, Street Roots, and William Temple House are just a few of the organizations we are proud to support.

    Finally, all the support we share year round wouldn’t be possible without our members. The 107IST mission is to support soccer in the Rose City from the grassroots to the highest professional level, and our additional community connections are inherent to who we are as an org. While the 107IST isn’t a tax-deductible organization, we are a member-driven nonprofit.

    Please renew today if you haven’t already. Once again, we are offering various membership add-ons because basic memberships just don’t cover the costs of all we do. Your additional donations allow us to keep the cost of a basic membership low, while continuing to spread the love throughout the community. Renew or join today or make an additional donation if you can!

    Thank you all for your support. We’re extremely glad you’re here.

  • 11/08/2023 10:31 AM | 107ist Admin (Administrator)

    “For such as we are made of, such we be.” Twelfth Night, 2.2

    Well, it’s that time of the year. The days are getting shorter. The weather is getting colder. The Timbers season has ended and, by the time this blog post is published, the Thorns may have either won their fourth star or bowed out from contention. One of the things about our organization is that tradition is a big part of the culture, and so this is a blog post that is as good as tradition: the call for you to renew your membership to the 107IST.

    This year has brought a lot of change both for the clubs we support and for the organization itself.

    On a club level, we eagerly await a sale of the Thorns, which we hope will be completed before next season. The Timbers turned over their head coach, and there have been numerous changes in the front office composition in the last 24 months. Both clubs look to be in a state of transition. The Thorns between ownership groups and the Timbers between roster orientations.

    On an organizational level, we are a bit in a state of transition as well. This year we had a temporary store front in 1919 Morrison, and it was an amazing success. Both No Pity Originals and RivetGear put out merchandise that seemed to resonate with the public in a big way. People are finding us in a way that we haven’t seen before. So many new faces, new folks, are wandering into 1919 Morrison Street and asking who exactly we are. They’re buying things (often) but perhaps just as importantly, learning about who the 107IST is.

    The thing that stuck out most to many of the folks working the space was that for a lot of folks, this was the first time they had heard of the 107IST. The amount of time spent on education was massive, and it gave us a chance to think critically about the role we play in the community of soccer fans in Portland. How many more folks would join us if only they knew who we were?

    Now, as much as any year in recent memory, there is so much to be proud of when it comes to what the 107IST has accomplished. This year, through our monthly drives, we were able to support incredible local organizations like IRCO, Rose Haven, and Blanchet House. Both the Pride scarf co-sold by NPO and RivetGear, and the two tee shirts designed by Meghan Klingenberg and sold through RivetGear raised money for New Avenues for Youth this year. For New Avenues for Youth alone we raised more than $10,000 to support the purchase of gender-affirming clothing and other items for the youth they serve.

    While the Timbers Army and Rose City Riveters are two pillars of the 107IST, two spaces of amazing impact that close ideological and organizational alignment to the 107IST are the Gisele Currier Scholarship Fund and Operation Pitch Invasion. The Gisele Currier Scholarship fund recently finished the application cycle for their 2023 applicants, and it looks like an amazing group of folks. Operation Pitch Invasion put on several well attended events this year.

    So where are we headed next year? What are we hoping for? What are our dreams? What are our hopes for our membership base in the future?

    We feel as though this is an important moment to announce that we have a big membership push coming up, we’re calling it 25% by 2025. By 2025 we want the 107IST to represent twenty-five percent of the stadium capacity. While this may seem to be an incredibly ambitious goal, we view it as something that is remarkably achievable. We also know that some of that 25% will include members who rarely set foot in Portland — those 107IST members who value and support this work from all over the world.

    Since the 107IST was founded, the soccer market in Portland has grown. More people love the game and attend PTFC matches, University of Portland matches, and soccer at the grassroots level, such as PDXFC. Providence Park has expanded, adding capacity and increasing the amount of folks who attend both Timbers and Thorns games. While this growth has occurred within our stadium, our membership numbers have stayed relatively stagnant. We have a wonderful, consistent membership base, but we want to make sure that we continue to be a voice of the stadium. As we expand, so does our capacity to impact our community.

    Put simply: We want to do more, and the more members we have, the more power we have to be a respected voice and enact change in the stadium.

    This goal is achievable if we continue creating an environment of welcome for new folks. We need to continue to spread our mission of “support soccer in the Portland area from the grassroots to the highest professional level” to all corners of our stadium, and if we each take it upon ourselves to be stewards of this organization.

    We cannot achieve this goal without you. For such as we are made of, such we be.

    Have an idea about how we can grow our numbers and want to pitch it? Now is the time. Ever wanted to paint tifo, load membership packets, organize away travel, help organize a match day drive, and help bring the yielded donations to the organization? Now is the time. Have time to lend a hand in any way? Now is the time. Ever wanted to be part of spreading word of who we are and what we do? We want you. Now is the time. Attend a committee meeting, attend a board meeting, email us about how you can get stuck in. Learn more. Ask questions. Find a niche, a role. As we grow, our volunteer pool and the people passionate about helping the organization needs to grow too. We want to facilitate your involvement and help you feel seen.

    We are nothing without our members. There is so much good that we can do, so much more that we can do, and now more than ever our mission is vital.

  • 10/03/2023 11:20 AM | Chris Spalding (Administrator)

    The following is a guest blog post by Sunday White on behalf of the TA and Riveters’ Capos/DnT.

    This is what I know in my heart. I shout it at the top of my lungs with my peers, my friends, my community. I feel that in my bones, with the beat of the drums, the blow of the horns, and the roar of the supporters. But what are we... without you

    We (the Capos and the DnT) are nothing without you. It is our love and passion for the players, for our neighbors in the stands, for our community here, in Portland and abroad that drives us to buy tickets to be here and volunteer to turn our back to the pitch, to hype everyone up and become a united wave of passion and support that our teams can FEEL on the pitch. With you we create a raucous, joyous cacophony that drives our players on, so they know they are not alone. They hear your community VOICE, your PASSION, and your LOVE for the beautiful game. 

    On an annual basis, we show our love and passion through this BYCAP event. Our goal is to help amplify those voices in our community that are most vulnerable. Children that for a variety of reasons cannot use their voices, are unable to get what is in your head or heart OUT to be heard. Those that have been stifled, and muted, or are barely whispers becuse of oppression, assault, or abuse. 

    BYCAP funds raised will provide help to the voices of children and mothers in our neighborhoods, to aid them in becoming strong and confident, to provide them with the support they need to communicate their dreams, ideas, and opinions. I know I spend a lot of time yelling, but I also want to listen, to HEAR all of your voices and theirs, the chants and drumbeats of our community.

    So - what is this BYCAP thing exactly?

    As the season is becoming extra tense (or wrapping up) often folks are feeling kind and nostalgic for the events of the season, and many want to “buy us (Capos, DnT) a pint” to say thanks. Thanks for helping to hype the crowd, to keep us all on time, to provide eyes and assistance when there is an interloper or altercation, to represent good habits (drink water, use sunblock), and in general for each of us buying our own tickets to turn our backs to the pitch for the season, so the sound of the North End can roll across the pitch, resonate beyond the PP rooftop and through the neighborhood. All because we have passion for our teams on the pitch. 

    While we all appreciate the random beverage, our livers can only take so much at once. We want to accept your appreciation and do something powerful with it. Thus BYCAP was born. 

    *Buy Your Capo A Pint  [or other thank you goodie]

    It has been noted that our livers cannot take so much thanks… so…  instead we have collection buckets out at our stage, nests and drums, and we ask you to donate that ‘pint’ (or soda, water, coffee) money to our fundraiser so we can help others find their voice the way we have. We get the “thank you” vibes and affection AND our community gets much needed help and support.

    On the last regular season match for both the Thorns and the Timbers please take a few spare bucks, change, or whatever you would be willing to use to give us a ‘thank you’ and instead, put the funds in a BYCAP bucket, or donate online. Help us save our livers and make a big difference in the strength and volume of our community. 

    100% of proceeds raised (both in person and online) for BYCAP will be donated.

    Please help us surpass prior years fundraising by donating and signal boosting this event. 

    >>>  GOAL: meet and surpass the BYCAP best year  <<< 

    >>>    $6240-  the combined amount   <<<

    >>>    TA and RCR 2019 BYCAP   <<<

    A donation link will be available on the open access part of the 107ist.org website for the month of October. This will provide time for both TA & RCR BYCAP matches, and some extra time in case of budgets and paydays, for those that may not be able to make it to the stadium, but want to say "Thanks for your passion” to the Capos/DnT.

    2023 BYCAP proceeds will be donated to: 



  • 06/23/2023 3:54 PM | Chris Spalding (Administrator)

    Swing by 1919 SW Morrison this weekend for the soft opening of It Did Happen Here, an exhibit that chronicles the anti-fascist movement in Portland. Starting tonight, June 23 before or after the Thorns match, the exhibit will be on display through the end of July for everyone who swings by the space before or after matches.  

    It Did Happen Here: An Antifascist People's History is a 2020 oral history book by Erin Yanke, Celina Flores, Moe Bowstern, Mic Crenshaw, and Alec Dunn. The book tells the story of the anti-fascist movement in Portland, Oregon, in the late 20th century.

    The book begins with the murder of Ethiopian immigrant Mulugeta Seraw in 1988 by white supremacist skinheads. In response, a diverse group of activists came together to form Anti-Racist Action (ARA) and Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice (SHARP). These groups used a variety of tactics, including street violence, to combat white nationalist violence and right-wing organizing in Portland.

    It Did Happen Here is a powerful and inspiring story of how ordinary people can come together to fight against fascism. The book is full of interviews with activists who were involved in the movement, and it provides a unique perspective on the history of anti-fascism in the United States.

    The book has been praised by critics for its timely message and its powerful storytelling. It has been called "a must-read for anyone who cares about fighting fascism" and "a vital contribution to the history of anti-fascism in the United States."

    If you are interested in learning more about the anti-fascist movement, we highly recommend It Did Happen Here. It is a well-written and informative book that will give you a deeper understanding of this important movement. They also have a podcast with eleven episodes, which you can access here

    For the hours of operation at 1919 SW Morrison, please check the calendar here.



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