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Government Experience of James G. Needham, Jr.  (Continued...)

In May, 2008 Molalla sought approval of a measure, 3­301, to annex the Molalla area into the North Clackamas Park and Recreation District. Because of Jim's background he was appointed to co-direct the “Citizens for Parks and Recreation” advocacy committee. In this capacity he advocated for passage of annexation by speaking at various community organizations and coordinating information, funding, and support. Although the measure failed locally, it passed with an overwhelming margin at the County level.  Stakeholders in the proposed Parks and Recreation District had been able to build an unprecedented coalition of City Council, School District, and numerous community organizations to support this measure!  Although the measure passed overwhelmingly at the County level it failed to secure the votes necessary for approval in the Molalla area.

While serving as a member of the Molalla River Board of Education from 1999 to 2003 Jim gained substantial knowledge and experience at developing policies and procedures to implement State and Federal education mandates. It also gave him the opportunity to lobby for revision of State CIM and CAM laws when Federal “No Child Left Behind” mandates began to produce redundancy of testing programs and overlapping standards. As a member of the District Policy and Public Relations Committees he had many opportunities for public speaking, encouragement and oversight of strategic alliances, planning, organizing, and outreach to surrounding communities, the State and the region. While serving as a Public Relations Committee member he assisted in the development of the District website and initiating the District “Key Communicators” program to keep patrons informed of District activities and decision-making, in addition to rumor suppression.

His part-time Computer Consulting business, Vector Graphics, has facilitated membership in the Molalla Chamber of Commerce since 2005.  He is serving as a member of the Chamber's Tourism Committee and is working diligently to promote Molalla's many natural and recreational resources.  He has continually sought to support business and contribute to prosperity in the community. He is presently serving as City Council's liaison to Molalla's Team for Economic Action in Molalla (TEAM) Board.

In Public Service he has become acutely aware of the value of Community Service. Jim knows that volunteer activities are crucial to a healthy community, and retains membership in the Molalla Veterans of Foreign Wars, Mulino Lions, Molalla FFA Alumni, Molalla Christian Church as a Deacon, and Molalla Kiwanis. These organizations have provided him with numerous leadership opportunities and enabled him to fully appreciate the need for membership development and retention. In the Kiwanis he has served as President of the Molalla Kiwanis two terms, Lieutenant Governor of ten community Kiwanis clubs in the Division, and is currently serving a third term as the Builders’ Club Administrator for the Pacific Northwest District which includes Alaska, Yukon, British Columbia, Washington, Idaho Panhandle, Oregon, and part of California. These positions have enhanced and expanded his knowledge in areas such as budgeting, event planning, program oversight, and other broad and diverse organizational management and staffing criteria.