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45 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, November 25, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend November 24, 2004 Portland salary disclosure brings fallout at local Goodwill By JACK MORAN Mail Tribune The timing of a news report disclosing the relatively high pay of a Goodwill executive in Portland could not have been worse, says Gayle Byrne, president of Southern Oregon Goodwill Industries. The local organization had just sent out direct mailings to thousands of people for its annual holiday fund drive when it was reported that Michael Miller, president of Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette, earns more than $785,000 in total yearly compensation. Within days, Goodwill workers in Southern Oregon received responses from people who refused to donate because of what they felt were out-of-control administrative costs within the organization, Byrne said. "People who saw the article are responding right away, in the negative," said Byrne, who earns $102,675 in annual salary and benefits. "Some of them quote the article themselves, and others just send back the entire newspaper clipping. "I just want people to know that’s not me — that’s not us." Advertisement She expects the report will result in a declining number of donations for the holiday fund drive, which usually brings in about $10,000. "It’s certainly starting out that way," Byrne said. Goodwill Industries has three regional operations in Oregon. The Portland-based chapter managed by Miller has an annual budget of about $65 million, compared to $8.8 million for the Southern Oregon branch, Byrne said. The third chapter is operated out of Lane County. Each branch is managed by an independent board of directors representing each community. The Southern Oregon chapter includes 16 retail stores in seven counties in Oregon and Northern California, Byrne said. About 70 percent of Southern Oregon Goodwill’s revenue is generated by its stores, which employ and train people with employment barriers. The remaining funding comes from contracts with other businesses and community donations, Byrne said. "We really rely on the community for support and hope people understand the differences between (Southern Oregon and Portland chapters) and continue to support us," she said. "We need to let them know that we really strive to be good stewards of our resources. We are beholden to the community and do everything in our power to be above board." Dee Anne Everson, executive director of the United Way of Jackson County, said she understands the situation facing Goodwill’s local chapter. Reports of fiscal mismanagement at other United Ways in the nation have the potential to affect local donations. "I think every nonprofit organization goes through periods where people say" administrative costs are too high, Everson said. "I appreciate the dilemma they’re going through, because it’s hard to tell the local story when a national or regional story like that is already out there." Reach reporter Jack Moran at 776-4459, or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities