Document text
CLEAR Temp: 46 °F Wind: WNW at 6 mph Tuesday, April 1, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend March 28, 2003 RVCOG progress continues By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune In a time when agencies are struggling to survive amid budget cuts, there’s one that has not only solved their financial problems but is adding a new dimension. The Rogue Valley Council of Governments has continued to climb out of debt for the third year in a row, said Michael Cavallaro, RVCOG’s executive director, during Thursday’s Medford City Council study session. By closing out "ill-conceived" projects and tightening up on collecting money owed to them, the organization has brought itself from a deficit of more than $250,000 in 1998 to a little money in the bank after liabilities are paid for the past three years. The turnaround came just in time. "If we had gone another two years or so, RVCOG would have gone away," he said. He also announced the birth of RVCOG’s sister nonprofit organization, Southern Oregon Center for Community Partnerships. With 501(c)(3) status, he said, they will now be able to access individual, group, corporate and foundation funding. Until now, the organization has worked in the public sector only, relying mostly on federal, state and local government funding, said Cavallaro. Created in 1968, RVCOG is an association of governments in Jackson and Josephine counties that offers programs in community development, transportation planning, land use planning, geographic information systems, senior and disability services, water resources and information systems. There are 31 regular employees; the new organization would add only a new board of directors, said Cavallaro. Pam Hall, coordinator of Southern Oregon University’s Pacific Non-Profit Network, said that while the creation of a new nonprofit organization adds to the competition for limited funds, she didn’t think this would hurt local groups. "I’m not too concerned about it," she said, adding that she’s glad it’s RVCOG. "You’ve got a solid organization with knowledgeable people there and that’s a big plus. Not every new nonprofit has that. "While there may be another player on the scene," she said, "they would be trying to work very collaboratively with others in the community." Cavallaro said access to more funding will enable them to help more with projects like storm water drainage and stream enhancement for the future sports park in Medford. He said for the sports park the city would be limited in how much money it could put into construction and maintenance of storm water detention and work along Bear Creek. RVCOG can help create partnerships and find funding. "We just want to be able to get a lot more talent involved," he said. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S