The following is a post by Matt Cleinman.

It’s now been a month since Meg Linehan’s article about Paul Riley’s abuse has rocked the NWSL community — and especially the Thorns. As a long-time supporter of the Thorns, those first few days were really difficult. Hearing the news was one of those “time stops” moments. Disbelief. Tears. Unable to focus on anything else. More crying. Holding tightly to every update that trickled out over those first couple days. And then thinking about how I’m a man, and how this news is hitting even closer and harder for many women and non-binary supporters.

A few weeks later, there are still aspects that make me sick. My stomach knots up each time that I remember Paul Riley traded for specific players he had coached for years. And while I’m incredibly awed by the strength and courage that Mana, Sinead, and Kaiya have shown in coming forward to transform our league, I still cry every time I consider that there are likely more victims out there. More than anger, though, these days I’m mostly disappointed and worried.

Disappointed: The Thorns leadership still has not shown that they understand why their response in 2015 — or 2021 — is completely inadequate to many of us, how it fully misses the mark. Merritt Paulson’s kind tweets to Paul Riley over the past few years are infuriating: They are overtures to an old friend, not the words of someone who is irate at someone who abused his employees. (Further anger-inducing: The day the article was released, as I was sobbing, Merritt’s priority was deleting these old tweets.) Merritt’s recent open letter reads extremely false, especially when compared to his kind pre-article tweets. It seems like he’s trying to save face now that his dirty secret is out. Leadership and attitude starts at the top. If Merritt doesn’t understand, it’s hard to think that his deputies will.

Worried: I’m worried that the changes being promised won’t be enough to transform our team and our league into a place where our players can feel safe and supported. Every day that Gavin Wilkinson remains employed makes me worried that real change isn’t coming. The fact that he is still actively working for the Timbers makes no sense, and it betrays the lack of concern this organization has about his conduct. If you’re worried enough to put him on leave from Thorns duties, why aren’t you worried enough to remove him from his Timbers duties? Why are Timbers players safe with him, but Thorns players are not? It seems like you’re setting up to clear him after a cursory investigation.

(Update: Karina LeBlanc has been hired as the general manager of the Thorns. She is extraordinarily qualified, and I look forward to her return to Portland. However, this underscores that the Front Office’s process has been a sham. After weeks of insisting that they were waiting for a complete investigation before making any decisions, they reverse themselves and hire KK. It’s almost as if it’s not about the investigation, but instead about other factors.)

I bought season tickets before our inaugural season kicked off, and I have been a dedicated Thorns supporter ever since. I’ve traveled to most of our postseason games, even when it seriously stretched my budget — and saw our team lift the trophy in both 2013 and 2017. In two weeks, we have a semifinal game at home. But I can’t bring myself to purchase a ticket from the Thorns organization. There is one other thing that presently gives me a pit in my stomach: The thought of sending more of my money to this team’s owners and leadership.

We are now accepting candidate submissions for this year's 107IST election cycle! To run for the board, you must have been a current member as of October 31, 2021. The deadline to submit your application is noon on November 19.

This year, there are two member-elected positions that will serve three-year terms. The Timbers Army Steering Committee, Rose City Riveters Steering Committee, and the BIPOC Committee also nominate candidates for one-year terms. You can read more about the board composition and the elections process in our bylaws.

If you’re considering running, we recommend you join us at our next board meeting on November 9. Over the next few weeks, we’ll also be publishing some more information about day-to-day board life and the things we’re working on to give a better idea of what being on the board is like.

Important dates

• Applications for candidates will be open until noon (Pacific) on November 19.
• We will post the list of candidates and their statements on the website on the afternoon of November 20.
• After the slate is announced, all current 107IST members will be able to post questions to candidates in the member forums on the website.
• On December 4, from noon to 2 p.m. (Pacific), we will host a virtual forum session for all candidates. This session is moderated, and the questions will come from members.
• We will post a recording of the forum on December 5 to all 2021 members.
• We will also email ballots to all 2021 members on December 5.
• Voting will take place from December 5 through December 12, and we will announce the results on December 13.

What are our needs?

As always, we are looking for professional, committed people to join our board. The main requirement is always people who can put in the time needed for board initiatives. (The time commitment can vary depending on what members take on, but the average is somewhere between 6 to 10 hours a week.)

We continue to work towards becoming more strategic in focus, empowering the steering committees to take on SG efforts, so we are definitely looking for individuals with organizational change experience, as well as administrative, project management, and strategic thinking skills.

As the board continues to evolve and grow, and we continue our capital campaign for a permanent home, it would be great to have people with fundraising experience on the board.

There is no age requirement or residency requirement — those who identify as part of an RSG should consider running!

About the board

Our board members help shape the organization and work to make the Timbers and Thorns supporter experience bigger and better, as well as contribute to initiatives in the Portland soccer community. You can find out more about the current board, the positions and committees they serve on, and the initiatives they manage here.

If you have any questions about the election process, please email us at elections@107ist.org.

Boycott concessions and merchandise

Three weeks ago, our leadership teams called for our members to boycott concessions and official team merchandise until significant changes are made to our club’s organization — changes that will focus on the players and increased transparency. We continue to ask for your support in this boycott.

You can read more about our demands here.

The Portland Thorns players have also listed out three demands for the club:

• That the investigations proceed immediately, and that our GM, Gavin Wilkinson, be placed on administrative leave until the process concludes.
• That there be an increase in the diversity of voices within the club’s board of executives.
• That we, the players of the club, gain seats at the table in order to increase transparency, accountability, and cooperation between the players and the front office.

The NWSLPA have provided their own list of demands for the league, which can be found on their website.

24th-minute activities

The Riveters have published more information about the protest, the players’ asks, and how to participate here. The key pieces for the Timbers match today are:

• Smoke at the 24th minute will continue. The 24th minute was chosen because Sinead Farrelly’s original number with the Thorns was 24 and 6 (2+4=6 ) was Mana Shim’s number.
• During the 24th minute, TA or Riveters capos may be on the main stage waving Riveters flags while we chant “Protect the Players.”
• Bring in two-sticks or signs showing your support of the players or your displeasure with the current situation. We have been told that as long as signs do not violate the PTFC code of conduct and do not have profanity or threats, they will be allowed in.
• Pick up a flyer or two from the 107IST membership table located on the concourse in the North End that gives more detail about what and why we are doing this.

Beyond what we are currently doing, we are working on next steps that can increase pressure for systemic change. We are not taking this lightly. Stay tuned. If you have suggestions for additional actions we can take as an organization, please let us know. We are stronger together.

[Originally published in the member newsletter, on October 13.]

Background information

Over the past month, our organization has been responding to reporting in The Athletic about events that occurred in 2015, when Mana Shim reported Paul Riley’s behavior to the PTFC leadership team, including Merritt Paulson, Gavin Wilkinson, and HR.

We also learned about how Wilkinson talked to Shim behind closed doors, essentially telling her to “just stick to soccer” and not be publically out and proud. Reporters have also confirmed that the Timbers/Thorns leadership had unexpected reactions to stories that told us about the whole player. Wilkinson has said that Shim’s claims are “bullshit” when initially asked for comment. He later walked back that comment.

Merritt Paulson’s open letter, posted three weeks ago, further demonstrated that the organization has yet to make concrete changes to address their past failures. While Wilkinson has been placed on administrative leave from the Thorns, per the players’ request, he is still performing his duties as GM for the Timbers. There have been no further updates from the organization in the past three weeks. This is unacceptable.

The Rose City Riveters Steering Committee, the Timbers Army Steering Committee, and the 107IST Board believe that the incident recounted by Shim describes a toxic culture and should not be ignored. This reporting calls into question the credibility our club has with future players and forces us to ask the question: Who else has been silenced or did not feel they could be their authentic selves here? We believe that systemic change is needed to restore the reputation of the club across both NWSL and MLS, and that Wilkinson needs to be terminated.

The 107IST’s mission is to support soccer in and around Portland, from the grassroots to the highest level. As such, we stand behind the players, and we believe that immediate and meaningful action is necessary for our club to thrive. Soccer is more than a sport: It’s a community of people who collectively pour their blood, sweat, tears, and passion into something they love. We have learned that there are players whose safety and identity was threatened, and players who continue to fear retaliation. As supporters of PTFC and members of the 107IST, now more than ever, this is our time to support and stand behind the players of today and tomorrow.

The following is a guest post from the Timbers Army and Rose City Riveters Capos & DnT teams.

We (Capos & DnT as a unit) are nothing without you!

The limited season, and needed COVID limitations to provide some small feeling of health and safety have affected us all this season, especially following the extra distance from last season. We haven't had the usual tension, loss, joy, irritation at the refs, of standing with you in passion and love.

The Timbers Army and Rose City Riveters Capos & DnT have joined forces in our annual tradition of BYCAP this year. We work to amplify those voices that have been muted, stifled, and ignored. Those voices of the survivors of abuse. Traditionally, BYCAP funds provide help to the young voices in our neighborhoods, to aid them in learning how to be strong and confident, to provide them with the ability to communicate their needs, dreams, ideas, and opinions. There is no greater way to help them than to show that we listen to those who are in the places they dream to be. To make sure our players are HEARD and the pro soccer pitch is a place they can dream to be.

We refuse to ignore or minimize the long term and systemic effects of the human rights abuses of our communities locally, nationally, and globally.

We are again joining forces for a single BYCAP event, with a single entity recipient, instead of the traditional tandem, team-specific BYCAP fundraisers.

100% of funds raised in this online BYCAP will be donated to Raphael House. In this way we support our community, provide help to those whose voices have been muted and marginalized. To provide any aid we can to break the cycle of violence.

About Raphael House: Thanks to community support, the families we serve are ending the cycle of violence and building lives without abuse. Together we are working toward a future without domestic and sexual violence, and where oppression in any form is not tolerated. We are proud to offer immediate safety and a wide range of supportive services for survivors, while working to create lasting change through prevention education.

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

>>> GOAL: meet or surpass our current BYCAP best year of $6240 <<<

A donation link will be available here from 10/30 - 11/15. Please make sure to select the BYCAP fund!

You can also use the QR code below for easy donation both in and out of the stadium, and we will happily accept cash donations too!

*Buy Your Capo A Pint: For those of you who are unfamiliar with BYCAP, it usually happens on or near the last match of the regular season for Timbers and Thorns. As the season is coming to a tense point (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 it on time, to provide eyes and assistance when there is an interloper or and altercation, to represent good safety habits, and generally for us needing to buy tickets to turn our backs to the pitch for a whole season, so the North End volume can resonate beyond the PP rooftop to roll across the pitch and through the neighborhood. All because we love providing focused passion for our teams. 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 (particularly when there is a concessions boycott) so we can help others find a voice the way we have. We get the “thank you” vibes and affection AND our community gets much needed help and support.

Effective immediately, the Rose City Riveters, the Timbers Army, and the 107IST call on our members to boycott all concessions inside Providence Park and PTFC official team merchandise across all platforms. 

The Rose City Riveters and the Timbers Army support the players of the Portland Thorns, Portland Timbers, NWSL, MLS, and worldwide.

This past week has been harrowing as we learned the extent of abuse and suppression that has taken place in Portland. It is clear that the Portland Thorns organization is complicit in the NWSL’s failures by actively sweeping incidents and complaints under the rug and passing issues off to others without holding offenders accountable. It is also abundantly evident that the PTFC leadership team knew about the incidents when they were reported in 2015. This is inexcusable. 

This week’s message from owner Merritt Paulson further demonstrates that the Thorns organization has yet to make concrete changes to address their past failures.

Our hearts and our actions are with Portland’s players — one hundred percent. Our trust, however, is utterly shattered, and it cannot be repaired until significant changes take place across all levels of the PTFC organization.

We call for the immediate and complete removal of Gavin Wilkinson from the PTFC organization, including the youth academies. We also demand the following:

• Implement a transparent and proactive safety, training, and accountability plan that is approved by the players.
• Create an executive-level Diversity Officer position, which will be filled by a candidate with more than 10 years of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) experience and a proven track record of building and implementing an organizational inclusion roadmap. 
• Demonstrate transparency that players’ voices will be prominent in the hiring of the next Thorns coach — and any future coaches — as well as information about who will be responsible for background checks and vetting of any new staff.
• Hire separate general managers for the Thorns and the Timbers.
• Create a Club Culture and Player Liaison position for each team whose sole purpose is to mentor and support players from the academy on up. This role should also help transition any new players when they are signed. 
• Disclose who has been secured to complete the new investigation of the 2015 events and subsequent investigation.
• Influence the league’s fulfillment of the NWSLPA demands and take local action to satisfy these demands, including immediate suspension of any staff member who violated the current anti-harassment policy or failed to report the alleged violation.

We will purchase nothing in the stadium or online until the PTFC Front Office meets these demands and any additional demands that are shared by the NWSLPA or players individually. We encourage supporters of the team to donate to the NWSLPA any money they would have otherwise spent at a match. The NWSLPA continues to fight for the players to take their power back, and we wish to support them in any way we can.

On game day, we will continue to show up and safely support our teams. Our remote supporters and those not attending games will continue to support from afar. The players deserve our loud and visible support — and to withhold it would send an incorrect message to the players. We want to make it abundantly clear that we are there for the players, but that we remain in protest against the PTFC organization until such time as demands for transparency and change have been met.

We encourage those attending Thorns and Timbers games to wear red in solidarity with the Thorns players and to bring signs that show support for the players and amplify the demand for changes. 

We stand ready to change or pivot our actions at any time should there be further requests or information from the NWSLPA or individual players.

The players know their rights and are fighting for their rights. We support them in taking their power back, and we are fully behind them.

#ProtectNWSLPlayers #ProtectOurPlayers #BAONPDX #RCTID

This September, we’ll be collecting items for the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO). We have a long-standing connection to IRCO, and we’re proud to support them again this year. Please consider picking something up on the way to a match or swinging by Fanladen during membership hours so we can continue our support of this important organization. This year, they have specifically asked us to gather items for K–12 students in Portland. They need the following new items in all sizes:

• Backpacks
• Headphones
• Shoes
• Clothes
• Socks

From IRCO's website:

IRCO’s youth programs seek to break down barriers facing youth. Youth Programs ensure that students (ages 6+) receive a quality education to overcome the obstacles that perpetuate inequality and poverty. From one-on-one mentoring, tutoring, academic advocacy and after school activities, to gang prevention and intervention for at-risk youth, IRCO provides culturally and linguistically specific support to help close the achievement gap, improve 3rd grade reading, ease middle school transitions, and increase the number of youth graduating from high school and pursuing college or career opportunities.

We also must acknowledge that Oregon and its community has a role to play in the events unfolding in Afghanistan. We aim to support the organizations here in Oregon that exist to support our immigrant and refugee neighbors.

There are many ways to help, and many incredible voices out there sharing information on how to do so. Many of us are familiar with Shireen Ahmed from her sports journalism and activism. She wrote an article for InStyle magazine that has a list of voices to follow and some steps we can take. She also encourages us to educate ourselves. Her work is a great place to start.

Here at home, Oregon non-profits and lawmakers have been seeking ways to welcome refugees to the state, and one of the organizations working on this is, as always, the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization.

Other ways to help: While IRCO has asked us to focus on youth items during this drive, they also have an ongoing need for other items to support refugee communities in Portland. Please see this press release from IRCO about their needs. We will collect any of these wish list items as well, and you are welcome to support them via online donation or wishlist at any time.

Bonus opportunity

For the rest of this season, we will also be collecting blankets for Janus Youth Program, our upstairs neighbors at Fanladen. They can accept new and gently used blankets, which will go directly to the youth who seek their services. Bring these to Fanladen anytime it is open (match days and membership hours) for the rest of the season.

Remember that all donations via 107IST will entitle you to receive a special donation merit badge! We now have five different designs available, so come on down and continue your collection.

Thank you for your support of the community.

What: Donation drive for IRCO (and blankets for Janus)
Where: Fanladen 1633 SW Alder (just a couple blocks from the stadium)
When: Match days in September and regular membership hours
Check the newsletter for open hours.

The following is from the 107IST Board of Directors:

The Delta variant is here and it is having a significant impact on our community already. Hospitals are full and the Governor is deploying support in anticipation of the situation getting worse. While local officials are working to develop public policies to combat the spread of Delta, the 107IST board is urging our members to mask up, wash your hands, keep a safe distance, and get vaccinated if you are able. 

If you are going to the stadium, it is especially critical that you are masking up throughout, even in your seats. 

The 107IST, Timbers Army, and Rose City Riveters have many medical and research professionals in our mix and they have been advocating for our community to follow the most recent OHSU recommendations issued in a statement this week.

OHSU is asking for Oregonians to take immediate action by changing our behaviors back to mask-wearing, social-distancing, and getting and encouraging the vaccine.

… both vaccinated and unvaccinated people who need to interact with the community should follow at least two of these three precautions:

1. Wear your mask indoors in all public spaces or with people outside of your household; wear your mask outdoors where physical distancing is not possible.
   
2. Limit gatherings; if you do gather, do it outside.
3. Physically distance whenever possible.

We support the PTFC Front Office’s proactive approach to have a mask mandate as opposed to the mere recommendation to wear masks. This is a good first step but the board feels this policy should apply throughout the stadium, including in your seats. The 107IST board has asked the PTFC Front Office to extend the current mask protocols by requiring masks be worn throughout the stadium and at all times. We should follow OHSU’s recommendations for individuals to wear masks during outdoor activities when social distancing is not possible. With the stadium open at full capacity, social distancing is not possible.

The 107IST is advising its members, the Timbers Army, and the Rose City Riveters, to wear masks throughout the stadium. We have face masks available at the Fanladen pre-match for those who need one. Starting this weekend, the seats closest to the capo nests and the main stage will be taped off to give our volunteers more clearance from other supporters. Please respect this buffer. 

In addition to the mask mandate, we have let the PTFC Front Office know we support a vaccination requirement for all upcoming matches. Variants of the virus continue to emerge; as long as the stadium operates at full capacity, there will be a risk of a major outbreak. For those who are not medically able to get a vaccine, we asked that they are able to provide refunds or credits to accounts. By maintaining this protocol for the rest of the year, it also alleviates the need to repeatedly update procedures and minimizes confusion for attendees.

The 107IST is also putting a hold on additional Away Day planning at this time. We are facilitating refunds as needed for any matches that are actively on sale if your plans have changed. Please email awaytravel@107ist.org to request a refund to any upcoming match for which you have already purchased tickets.

We have updated our 2021 Matchday FAQs to reflect these changes as well as update on our other activities. 

It’s August and time to pick up some extra school supplies for match day drives!

During the first half of August, match day drives will support Rose Haven shelter in their effort to collect school supplies for homeless and at-risk children in the Portland area. Last year the state of Oregon reported that there were 21,080 students experiencing homelessness. In Portland, Rose Haven provides supplies to hundreds of kids each year. Info on this year’s drive can be found on their website.

Please help us collect new school supplies for Rose Haven Shelter! Items needed include: backpacks, hand sanitizer, notebooks, calculators, folders, binders, pencils, pens, coloring utensils, washable face masks for kids, headphones with a microphone, battery-operated timers, lunchboxes, notebook paper, dividers, glue and glue sticks, tape, scissors, combination locks, highlighters, index cards, rulers, pocket tissues, laptops, tablets, and children/teen clothing and shoes.

Please donate new items only for this drive. Backpacks are among the most-needed items, since these can also be used throughout the year to provide items to individuals served by the shelter.

Drop off donations anytime Fanladen is open between August 1st and August 15th. Stop by before or after a match (Thorns: August 1st; Timbers: August 4th, 7th, and 15th), or during membership hours on Wednesday nights (check social media and newsletter for specific hours to be sure we’ll be there!). Fanladen is located at 1633 SW Alder, just a couple blocks from the stadium.

If you prefer, you can also donate remotely to Rose Haven via their online wishlist and registry.

As in June and July, limited edition donation merit badges are available for folks who drop off donations! We know you don’t need an incentive to do something good for the community, but you get one anyway! There are three designs available, so get them while you can.

If you're out of area and wish to receive a donation merit badge, donate via wishlist or financial donation, and then send a screenshot of your receipt to community@107ist.org with the subject “Donation merit badge” and your mailing address. We ask that you only use the shipping option if you can’t get your badge in-person at Fanladen, but you’re also welcome to bring electronic proof of donation to Fanladen if that’s how you prefer to donate.

Thank you so much for your generous donations!

It’s moving week for the C3PO BIPOC Camp! They have needs for each day, and they are asking for our help to pull it off.

On Thursday at 1 p.m., they will need around 20 volunteers to assist with breakdown of a couple of carports, as well as the loading of our miscellaneous items (water dispensers, water jugs, propane tanks, chairs, tables, tools, ladders, wheelbarrow, EZ ups, storage closet, insulation rolls, clothing racks, buckets, food pantry items) onto U-Haul trucks.

Sign up for Thursday here.

On Friday starting at 9 a.m., they will need 20 volunteers to help villagers clean and sanitize their homes. We may also need support to give villagers rides, if possible. People can also go to the new site to welcome villagers and help with any set up.

Sign up for Friday here.  

We will also need around 20 volunteers to help pack up the bigger items around the village, put them on trucks.  Sign up for that here. 

Depending on how the move goes, they will likely continue to work on Saturday and might need volunteers again at that time.

While villagers are moving, they would like to have two people signed up for two-hour shifts to support with security at the villages, verifying residence and keeping things moving smoothly. 

To sign up, choose one of the sites:

• Current site (41 SE Main St)
• New site (84 NE Weidler St) 

Reach out to Stephanzy if you have any questions. Hope to see you out there!