On September 14th the 107IST board assembled in the Axe and Rose to chat with membership, check in about organizational progress, and engage about the organization’s ethos statement. Below are some key takeaways from our discussions, and some highlighted themes:

• Organizational Health & Growth 

• • Community rebuilding successfully with returning members.

  • Average member tenure exceeds 8 years indicating deep connection with the Clubs and community.

  • Axe and Rose investment has been validated through match day traffic in retail space and Legends.

  • Away viewings at Legends are good, low-stakes gathering opportunities for members to interact

• Operational Challenges & Solutions 

• • Communication gaps identified requiring improvements around newsletter format

  • Org is currently working with an architect to have the space reclassified as an assembly hall, permanently raising occupancy cap rather than relying on monthly permits (which are expensive)

  • Volunteer workload concentration requires new member integration, and our volunteer force has grown tremendously this year.

•  Member Experience Improvements (28:53 - 01:05:11)

• • Discord integration has been successful, but needs to be advertised more and have some added resources for new members.

  • Event planning requires advance notice, we’re navigating creating and publicizing scheduling

  • Recognition balance sought between individual appreciation and collective culture.

During the second portion of the conversation, which was more free-flowing Q&A. Some of the highlights included:

• Optimal newsletter frequency and format - should the organization move to multiple shorter emails?

• • Newsletter restructuring - shorter, focused emails with specific timing optimization.

  • Digital newspaper format - visual, infographic-style newsletter with minimal text.

  • Landing page strategy - create a newsletter with brief hooks linking to detailed web pages.

• Volunteer recognition approach - how to balance appreciation with culture?

• • Behind-the-scenes content - social media documentation of match-day preparation.

  • Job fair integration - combine appreciation events with volunteer showcases.

• New member integration - what resources best support onboarding?

• • New member primer - quick reference guide for newcomers.

The final portion of the evening was spent discussing the organization’s ethos statement, a draft of the statement can be found here. While this was a fantastic exchange, and included both validation and pushback from membership, much of it already being integrated, we want to use this portion of the recap to invite you into the fold.

• What questions do you have about this ethos?

• Do you feel as though it accurately reflects our ethos as an organization?

• What would you add, subtract, or alter?

• How would you want to see it ratified or shelved, a board vote? A member vote? Another way?

~~~~~~   Please enjoy this slightly refreshed story of the birth of BYCAP with some #KnowYourHistory and new info!   ~~~~~~

It started with a guy named Tim Birr and a Stuttgart jersey. See, ‘Uncle Birr’ had this pint rule: if he sees something that he thinks someone would like, he has a simple formula for whether or not he should buy it:
#1 - How much does it cost? If it is the price of a pint, then it goes on to the next round.
#2 -  Would I buy this person a pint? If so, then the item could act as a gift.
The last consideration - step #3 - Is to consider… Would the person prefer the pint? (In this case, please don’t. That is not what we are going for here.  Read on!)

In times before… Hermes and Pong (they were capos, some of you may have heard of them, or remember their antics) started talking about ways to get the people in the North End to say, “Thanks for yellin’ at me all season, asshole,” - but in a positive manner - when the idea of voice came up. We (the capos with the assistance of DnT) help this extremely passive-aggressive city to find its voice and collectively, when needed, be aggressive (even if all we do is sing-song melodies now instead of taunts). 

They brainstormed this amazing thing. They were trying to create something new (then) that showed how we acknowledge our respect for each other, the volunteers, and the players, while realizing that no matter how good or bad things are within the season, we were part of something bigger. Whether or not they (and now, we) yelled at you, if you were part of the North End or elsewhere in the stadium, it matters that you were there, and it could be a whole lot worse. What makes it manageable is our shared experience. Our community. 

Back in the aughts, who even thought about the fact that kids in wheelchairs didn’t have a treehouse before Harper’s Playground? Or realized that there were summer camps for kids with speech pathology support, or that there are so many kids in our own community that cannot afford to “pay to play,” or even have a pitch to kick around on. 

We, the 107IST, TA, Riveters, Cascadia, Portland, empathetic and aware humanity, want to create a philosophy that is realizable. That is, we want to actualize our beliefs into actions. To be there for our community and those who cannot always step up. 

We, the capos, strive to help people find their voice. Thus, BYCAP is born. “Buy Your Capo A Pint” is a chance for the people in our community, in the Axe & Rose, in the Park, and in our sections, to say, “Thank you” to the volunteers that pay for entry, turn their backs to the pitch, and give it their all, including broken bodies and voices to the attempt to conduct Portland’s largest performance art action to a deafening crescendo of passion and support for our players. We do this, BYCAP, so that we (capos) can help kids who experience speech, hearing, and communication challenges, or are in situations that systemically diminish them, get the help that they need to find their OWN voice.

In 2010, the capo crew passed a hat around the crowd while the Portland Punk Rock Collective played a gig in which they donated their share of the door fee/bar revenue to the Camp Meadowood Springs cause. With this, combined with a bump from the 107IST, we were able to fully fund one kid for summer camp.  All of this with maybe a week’s notice.

In 2011, the cost of camp was $1,500 for new campers and $1,200 for returning kids. Instead of passing the hat at a punk show, we passed it among the TA during our penultimate match of the season. We aimed to raise enough for 3 kids to attend that year; it is always good to have a stretch goal, but in the end, we raised enough from our donations to fully fund one camper. 

We have repeated this BYCAP fundraiser with varying outcomes during the final season match each year, expanding the effort to include a different BYCAP recipient for the Riveters capos/supporters starting in 2013.

This year, we are back at it again.

At the final regular season home matches, you will see the capos with donation buckets around the stadium, at the nests and on the stage, one with the DnT, and there will be a bucket at LEGENDS bar pre-match. All buckets will also have a QR code for those who don’t carry cash, but still want to donate.

During the weeks between the last regular-season home matches (Timbers and Thorns, respectively), you can also use (and share!) the provided QR code to direct you to this URL   (https://107ist.org/107ist/donate) for the online donation tool.  It will ask you which fund you want to donate to - please select the appropriate BYCAP option.  If you want to support both, you will need to do each donation individually. 

So, here we are - back to ‘Uncle Birr’s’ pint rule - for the cost of a pint, you can make a difference.

~~~~~~    See you in the stands    ~~~~~~

A few basic (but important!) details about the BYCAP fundraiser. 

• 100% of proceeds are donated. Not a penny is retained by capos, by the SGs, or the 107IST for any reason.  This is quite literally FOR THE CHILDREN. 

• We call it the BYCAP fundraiser because throughout the season, kind folks buy us a pint now and then, often more as the season is wrapping up. Instead of that literal pint, put those few bucks into the donation bucket so we can collectively make a difference. 

• With the members-only bar at Legends at the Axe & Rose, we will also have a collection bucket at the bar, and as always, a QR code/URL so you have digital ways for you to donate, even if you aren't  in the stadium when the buckets are passed around 

• This primary driver is that this is our chance to step up and help our community– please share this story with newer North End folks, or others who  may not know what is going on. Every penny counts! 

Timbers' final regular-season home match:  

Sat. October 18th v. San Diego FC
100% of Proceeds to: Camp Meadowood Springs 

https://www.meadowoodsprings.org/

Thorns' final regular-season home match:  

Sun, November 2nd v. Houston Dash
100% of Proceeds to: Girls Build

https://girlsbuild.org

Donation URL for both events:   https://107ist.org/107ist/donate

With the end of the seasons approaching, it’s time to renew your membership in the 107 Independent Supporters Trust.

Renew Here

2025 was a breakthrough year. We opened the Axe & Rose facility. Now we have a place to do all the work that shows our love for the sport and our teams. Plus a proper store. And we remodeled the mechanic’s shop into the Legends pub – a place to meet up with friends and make new friends before every game. The response has been tremendous - our membership has grown to pre-COVID levels and our finances are back on track.

Looking forward, 2026 will see the men’s World Cup in North America for the first time since 1994. Legends could be the premier viewing spot in Portland. There will be four more dates on the Thorns calendar with the addition of Denver and Boston to the NWSL. All this in addition to the Timbers and Thorns normal seasons and our usual huge effort to support them. Altogether, 107IST will host almost 75 events over the next 16 months.

Your member dues and donations cover much of the costs for facilities and supplies. Dues are $30 for 2026. This gets you partner discounts, access to Legends, support for the gameday environment, community outreach, a fun member gift, and a lot more. We expect members will be invited to the Nike employee store in January for great discounts on their gear, with Adidas and Columbia passes during the winter.

Your donations help us keep memberships affordable and have been a major factor in our confidence to make big commitments like multi-year leases.

As in prior years, there are four standard donations at $25 each, a credit card processing fee recovery option for $1.17, and/or any amount you can give to a specific purpose or to just generally help out. The four core donations each earn you a special pin you can wear with pride:

• Paint the Town… helps pay for tifo fabric, paint, brushes, etc.

• Spread the Love supports our community outreach programs

• Party in Portland covers gameday expenses like drum heads, smoke, flags

• Axe & Rose goes toward our rent and facility improvements

• If you donate all the above you will get a fifth, special thank you pin

The 107IST is a 100% volunteer-run organization. Every cent of your dues and donations goes directly to our mission: to support soccer from the grassroots to the highest professional levels.

Here's to an amazing 2026!

Renew Here

Written By: Connor Magee, Rahab’s Sisters Volunteer & Community Relations Manager

Rahab’s Sisters is a drop-in day shelter for women, trans, and nonbinary folks experiencing systemic oppression at the intersections of poverty, houselessness, sex work, violence, and substance use in the Montavilla neighborhood of SE Portland. When you walk through our doors, the first things you notice are friendly smiles, the buzz of conversation, and a sense of community. We provide holistic services, meals, and connection, and at our gatherings, you’ll find a vibrant community where guests, volunteers, and staff are building authentic, lasting connections that transcend life circumstances.

Since 2003, Rahab’s Sisters has been a justice-driven community founded on the values of trust, radical hospitality, and inclusion. Our low-barrier gatherings feature nourishing meals, hygiene and survival supplies, peer support, eviction prevention and housing services, affirming case management, co-located holistic health services and more to more than 200 unique individuals each week.

We are thrilled to announce that starting this summer, we are expanding our services to include an additional day of holistic health and wellness service - including primary care - at Rahab’s Sisters. Guests will be able to access everything from wound care and annual exams to management of chronic conditions and gender-affirming care in a familiar, trusted, and non- judgmental setting. This means one more barrier is removed for guests to access the care they need and deserve.

Your support through this year’s Prideraiser will help Rahab’s Sisters’ services reach as many guests as possible. Please pledge as generously as you can to be a part of maintaining and growing the safety net for our most vulnerable neighbors. Many thanks to you, and to the 107IST, for your investment in our shared vision of a strong community, and a commitment to the belief that we all belong here and have value.

Donate here.

For more information about our mission, values, and work, please visit www.rahabs-sisters.org.

We’re quickly approaching our 2025 election cycle! So, we wanted to share some additional information and timelines.

Important dates:

• January 7: Candidate applications due by 5 p.m. Pacific

• January 8: Candidate announcements and launch of online candidate forum

• January 19: Live candidate forum at The Axe & Rose

• January 21: Voting starts

• January 29: Voting ends at 9 p.m. Pacific

• January 30: Election results posted

Also coming this month:

• Onward! interview with current board members

• Reddit AMA

In years past, we’ve received feedback that there are too many locations for candidates to monitor for questions (traditional 107IST.org forums, Discord, Twitter, etc.) and a lot of similar questions across those platforms. This election, we will be exclusively using Discord for online Q&A. If you don’t have access to Discord, please use this link to sign up or attend the in-person forum at The Axe & Rose on January 19 to ask questions.

The live candidate forum will be at The Axe & Rose on January 19. Doors will open at noon, and the candidate forum will start at noon. We will have a remote option for those who are unable to attend in person. Please come down, hang out and bring your questions for the candidates. As a reminder: Because of our OLCC licensing requirements, you must be a 107IST member to attend in person. If you aren’t a member, please sign up or renew here!

As in years past, we will continue to use Survey Monkey for our voting platform. Depending on your settings, sometimes this e-mail is delivered to your spam inbox. If you are expecting a ballot and haven’t received one by January 22, please email elections@107IST.org

Remember:

Submit your candidacy here! Remember: Applications must be submitted by January 7. What’s it like to serve on the board? Check out this link for some additional information.

• This year we will have two seats open for two-year terms. 

• To be a candidate, you must be a member as of December 31 and have renewed through 2025, or be a new member through 2025. 

• To vote, you must be a member as of December 31 and have renewed through 2025, or be a new member through 2025. 

If you have any questions in the interim, please email elections@107IST.org.

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

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

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!

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!!!

If you’re 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 Office: As 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! 

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

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!

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 18^th & Morrison. Getting things dialed in is going to take a lot of work, and we want to get y’all hyped to pitch in.