Help Stop OSPIRG

PIRG is lame, your article is good, thanks--I got screwed by them years ago, and have always been frustrated with thier constant presence downtown.

I think the PIRG's are the last "progressive" organizations I would support.

Money isn't really necessary. Spend your time educating your friends and relatives, getting people to withdraw some from the money-machine that feeds war, get them to understand that The Media doesn't represent reality and that politicians are not working for them but their contributors. Teach people how to be self-reliant, this costs nothing.

When the Eagle Creek campaign was ongoing, a young woman who was involved in the campaign was very enthusiastic that she had been hired by OSPIRG. She also told us she had to stop coming up to the tree-sit and road blockade or she would lose her new job. Never saw her again.

To me, a big problem with the PIRGs is that they take enthusiastic young people, promise them they can be activists and be paid for it, and they cipher all that youthful energy into truding door to door begging for money.

As tempted as I am to slam the door in their faces when they knock on mine, I try to remember they are just pawns in a cruel game. I invite them in, offer them a glass of water and encouragement and send them on their way without any of my money.

The last time I recall OSPIRG accomplishing anything of any sbustance was when they got an improved bottle bill on the ballot in - I think - 1996 (maybe it was 94?). Of course, they didn't have the money to win the initiative election and it got trounced. Maybe - and I hate to be cynical - it was all just another PR/fundraising ploy.

It's rants and raves like this that are fucking up, and dividing, the movement. It's amazing how angry some people can be because they don't agree with every last perspective and tactic of a progressive group. There has never been a perfect orgaznization out there, not Sierra Club, not Greenpeace, and not Gifford Pinchot..... However, what the hell good is it to try to "stop" them? It's so sad to hear that this person is not only taking the time out of his day to take down job posters, but to recruit others to do it as well. What if people actually did something useful with that time, even just useful to yourself, like reading a book about activism and what we can do within our communities to overcome the facist state we are living in....just an idea. This is the kind of reactive, immature crap that allows the moronic right, conservative forces in this country to conquer. Thus, this leads me to explain the beauty (yeah, that's right...the beauty) of canvassing.
I have had the pleasure of being one of the 7 hard-working, immeasurably dedicated directors in the Portland canvassing office for the last year. Part of me feels like I should address all the detailed talking points about the actual job, like the salary, the hours, and the training program, because everything written is incorrect. I would be more than happy to offer my contact info to shed some light on the situation. (It's too bad this guy's wife wasn't paying more attention to her job. We could have solved these misunderstandings.) I challenge you to come into the Portland canvassing office and have a conversation with the canvassers. Ask them why they do the job. Hell, ask them when they are at your door, or downtown. For now, all I can tell you is why I do this job.
There's so much work to be done. There are so many facets of life that are being shit on, and taken advantage of. If you want to spend your time seeking out that "perfect" organization to address all the oppressions in society, and magically fix them, while at the same time angrily organizing against like-minded groups because of a bad experience, then that is your choice. It's, again, so sad to see that energy go to a complete waste. The PIRGs have made an impact in the policies of our society that, according to this rant, have been clearly overlooked, probably intentionally. I challenge you to check out the results and changes that have been seen in the last 30 years of the PIRGs and try to talk about how we just "occasionally publish policy papers to get media attention." And even on that note, you are damn right we strive for media attention. I hate to break this to people who might not know, but the media runs our crumbling society. If groups like the PIRGs get an article in the Oregonian, or a minute long spot on a primetime news show, in the midst of fear-inducing broadcasts, sitcoms of "real life" that draw attention away from YOUR real life, and colorfully gluttonous advertisments, then I say rock on.
The things that I have learned in the last year have been incredible. I have learned so, so much about people and how apathy and this whiny view of canvassers and the work we do is pushing change down further and further. And no, there is no prefect canvasser, and yes, some of them might not be so great, but what every canvasser has is courage...the courage to get out into communities and put their politics and emotions on the line to bring a message to people. And it is a message. Yes, organizing and the survival of non-profit groups involves contributions, but we bring a message to people. (And if the notion that it takes money to build a movement is a little fuzzy to anyone, let me know...I'd love to talk about it.) We present people with an opportunity to have their individual voices be carried as a collective to state and federal legislators to make change happen. If you think you can carry your own individual voice that far, then go for it. Let us know how to do so. I'm pretty sure if there was a way to do this, groups like the PIRGs wouldn't need to be around. It's all about power in numbers, bringing people's ideas and politics together to form a collective that others can't ignore. Canvassers are incredible people. We talk to people all day long about the political damage of our time, and present solutions to suppress the further growth of such discrepencies. It can be the most bizarre job, and the most rewarding job at the same time. Faith in humanity can be lost and restored within a matter of 10 minutes.
I'm not really sure how to end this, probably because it feels like this conversation could go on. So let the dialogue begin....It won't be the first time I have a conversation about how incredible and critical this type of social change work is.

-Flynne

As the recruitment director for the Fund for Public Interest Research (OSPIRG's canvassing partner), I am disappointed by Mr. David Mountain's post. While Mr. Mountain certainly has the right to post such comments on this or any website, I wish him and people like him who criticize the tactics of progressive organizations knew what they were talking about first. Let me point out a few of the numerous half-truths and outright fabrications that Mr. Mountain used in his posting.

1. "OSPIRG is part of the national organization Public Interest Research Group"

Actually, OSPIRG is part of a coalition called the National Association of State PIRGs.

2. "Workers (including my wife) are recruited with a pitch that "you work mon-fri from 3-8pm, and get about $10-15/hour". However, all employees are required to attend daily memorization training so their pitch does not deviate from PIRG's talking points. These trainings are mandatory, and occur from 11-12, after which all employees go to lunch together, and then drive to a work site where they start knocking at 3pm. They finish canvassing at 8, and drive back to headquarters where they do check-out paperwork and usually leave about 10:15pm—so their actual work day lasts about 11 hours and their real wage is much less than advertised."

This is factually incorrect. The mandatory hours are between 2-10 PM Monday through Friday. We start canvassing at 4 PM and end at 9 PM. Folks are usually out of the office by 10 PM, with a few exceptions. The only training that is mandatory occurs your first day and further trainings start at 1 PM, not 11 AM. So, the hours that we require people add up to (tadah!) 8 hours. There are trainings earlier in the day for people who want to learn the skills required to move into a managment position or learn other non-canvassing skills, like how to build coalitions between local businesses and community organizations. Workers are informed in advance as to whether or not these trainings are paid (and many are) or simply an opportunity to learn a new skill.

3. "Canvassers are held to a weekly fundraising quota, and if they don't meet it they are paid only minimum wage for only the hours spent canvassing. This sets up a conflict of interest, whereby it is often financially worth it for canvassers who are close to quota but not quite there to make "anonymous" donations out of pocket if the amount would be less than the difference in paychecks. (after about a week, they also began guilt-tripping my wife to show up at 10am for an extra 'volunteer' hour gathering signatures)."

This is also factually incorrect. There is a minimum fundraising standard in the office for which canvassers receive a base pay. Canvassers recieve 35% of anything they raise above the minimum standard. If they fail to raise the minimum standard they are paid a flat percentage of what they did manage to raise. Canvassers also receive additional pay for taking on leadership positions or participating in activities outside of the mandatory 2-10 PM time frame.

It is the organizations policy to tell every new person that comes into the office about hours, pay, and other staff policies 3 times before the end of their first day. Moreover, canvassers are given a complete written overview of staff policies at the end of their first day. They are required to read and sign them before they are allowed to canvass a second day. Respectfully, is Mr. Mountain's wife was unaware of the pay rate or the hours before taking and while participating in the job, then perhaps she should pay a little more attention.

4. "When they come to your door, the only thing they care about is a donation. If you ask them if you can get involved other ways (volunteering... ), they immediately fall back into talking points about how much money the Right is raising and how important grass-roots donation are to "saving our country"... I know money is a huge part of our political landscape and I don't really begrudge people trying to use the system against itself. But, I think the sheer size of PIRG and the number of people it comes into contact with—both donors and workers—makes their financial focus immoral. The problem is not too much money on the political Right, it is the fact that the influence of money has crippled our democracy and until we change that, we won't really be any better off. As far as I'm concerned, PIRG is part of this critical problem, not an answer to it."

Mr. Mountain seems to think that the money raised by OSPIRG canvassers is collected and then handed over in large sums to politicians in exchange for votes. This is completely inaccurate. The money raised by canvassers goes to pay organizers and advocates who build support for legislation related to environmental and consumer protection in Oregon's communities and our legislature. Because OSPIRG is funded by tens of thousands of citizen members, the organization can maintain an uncompromised agenda, which isn't true of many organizations who rely solely on foundation grants for their day to day expenses.

OSPIRG has never given any money to politicians or endorsed any candidates. The goal is organizing to win victories in the public interest, not outmatching the opposition with campaign contributions.

5. "OSPIRG covers nearly every pedestrian neighborhood in Portland (and the other PIRG's hit dozens of cities) with huge colorful posters designed to look DIY and give them 'street cred'. When I hang flyers, I am always careful to avoid covering other flyers unless they are out of date—but several times I have hung flyers only to walk by a few hours later and find nearly every one of mine covered with a double size "Save the Environment" poster (that is what got me started on this campaign)."

Though I can't speak for anyone else in the organization, I could care less about having "street cred". We poster in Portland because it is an effective method for recruiting canvassers. Period. Also, we train our posterers (who are usually volunteering the time to poster by the way) to not poster over current or upcoming events. If your posters have been covered up by ours, I apologize. And I encourage you to call the office whenever this happens.

6. "If a behemoth like Starbucks or McDonald's plastered the streets with posters, we would all be up in arms—but since PIRG goes to great lengths to look "indy" their propaganda goes unnoticed. They are a huge organization with deep pockets and if they need employees they have access to mass media just like every other big corporation. They ought to put an ad in the Willamette or at least on Craigslist, but keep it off of my neighborhood."

Give me a break. I will happily give you my last bank statement and then dare you to make such a claim in a forum like this. We are a large organization, yes, but wealthy? Not compared to most other progressive organizations that I know of.

7. "This is one of the sleaziest employment practices I have ever experienced (and I used to do door-to-door sales for the Oregonian), and has no place in any political alliance that believes in the union movement, worker rights, etc."

And I suppose tearing down our posters is a model of free speech in action? You hypocrisy is astounding.

An OSPIRG canvaser came by my house tonight and I renewed with him. I appreciate the work OSPIRG does and the things they accomplish. I am glad to support them with some money. I appreciate the leadership they show on issues like global warming and toxics. I think you are wrong to dump on them. I wish you'd spend your time working on the real issues rather than slamming people and organizations who are working to make a difference on issues we all support.

oh, please. i had the displeasure of working for the portland office for about two and a half weeks, and i saw all of the two-faced, sleazy tactics you engage in. you are a HUGE part of the problem b/c you represent the commoodification of the grass roots movement, and your sanctimonious attitude of entitlement won't change that. your employees are overworked, stressed out and made to feel like BAD PEOPLE anytime they don't go fetch all the money you want. your methods-knocking on people's doors and making them feel like BAD PEOPLE if they don't give you money-are FASCIST. your false front of community and solidarity floats away magically anytime someone doesn't bring home enough bacon for you.

you can wear all the pony tails and hemp necklaces you want but FASCISTS ARE STILL FASCISTS.

> It is the organizations policy to tell every new person that comes into the office
> about hours, pay, and other staff policies 3 times before the end of their first day.

In other words, "The lawyers make us 'explain' the hours, wages, and working conditions THREE TIMES on the first day because our 'policies' are so counterintuitive, sleazy and deceptive that that's the only thing keeping us from getting our asses sued off."

Last September, I called one of the Ospirg numbers and went to their office. But because I'm disabled, I couldn't be a canvasser, so they referred me to the telephone outreach project.

I got an interview with the person in charge of hiring, and he told me to come back for training the next day for a more extensive hiring evaulation, and if I "passed" then I could come back the day after that for training. This "hiring evaulation" took about three hours and involved me reading scripts, taking tests, etc. I did well enough that I was asked to come back the next day for "training". I was told that if I passed this "training", then I would be hired. "Training" lasted several hours, probably four to six, and involved me listening in on the phones and even being on the phones myself, doing calls, for about 2 of those hours.

After I passed this training, they told me they would hire me for a trial period of 5 days, during which time I had to meet quota in order for them to keep me on after this time. I also had it explained to me that since I hadn't actually been hired as of the "training" sessions, the many hours I had spent on them was unpaid.

But I came back, and worked a four hour shift, during which time I raised about $200. However, at the end of my shift, I was informed by a woman who I supposed to be some kind of manager that I didn't make quota for that day, and thus they were terminating me immediately. Apparently, they explained, they didn't have to keep me on for the full five days of the trial period, they could fire me any time during those five days.

So. I was given a check for $30 - they paid $7.50 an hour - the next week. And including training, I had worked for them for about 12 hours altogether - but training was unpaid!

Also, their Telephone Outreach Project offices were not handicapped accessible. Even though the job itself - sitting at a desk making telephone calls - is one that could easily be done by those with disabilities such as myself - the office was located on the second floor of a building without an elevator, so I had to go up a giant flight of stairs on my crutches each time I went up to the workspace.

I now for a large corporate call center who treats me like a number, and I'm sad to say it's a million times better than working for OSPIRG.

Holy Crap, people! The President deserves impeachment, war is breaking out in the Middle East, dramatic effects from damage to the environment is already being seen and you are arguing about OSPIRG. Weak people, F***'in weak.

I agree....This discussion is laughable, and yet so typical, it's amazing how bitter ex-canvassers can still be so angry, and ignorant enough to slander OSPIRG, who doesn't employ the canvassers in the first place.... Let's take this energy elsewhere.....Talk to people, create a movement, no matter the size....Remember that a people united will never be divided, we don't need to all hold hands at a protest, but let's cut out the blind hate of a movement that can actually take us somewhere.

You think it's just a coincidence that so many people have bad stories? It is clear that PIRG is abusing and misusig the activist community and taking advantage of people's energy to burn them out and screw them over.

I know there are some "salaried" PIRG employees, and a few friends of mine have done that--but everyone of them became a mindless robot that just repeated talking points ad naseaum. When I tried to have a converstation about some of these issues with my friends, I felt like I was talking to a robot.

And, you PIRG defenders don't even take on Mountain's good points--the example of Gifford Pinchot Task Force, and the environmental waste of so many unwanted flyers--why don't you put an ad in the paper or online like every other major employer?

You guys can claim that I'm wrong about how canvassers are paid, but before posting this, I confirmed details with folks who have canvassed in Oregon, Virginia, Maryland, and Wisconsin, and they all said it was accurate. I suspect you are claiming I'm technically incorrect because you make some linguistic distinction (like "minimum fundraising standard" instead of quota, but it's the same thing).

And if you only pay a flat percentage of money raised if they don't meet the standard, then you are probably not meeting minimum wage laws in many cases--which is worse than what I said.

Frankly, you don't even address the real point that your flyering is obnoxios--you suggest a dialogue and when people disagree you just dissapear.

And I don't know where you get the idea that I think you hand over money to politicians--I didn't say anything of the sort, I said you reduce activism to money--and I think my point still stands, since you decided to talk around the issue rather than address it.

And finally, the idea that I cannot criticize you without destroying the "movement" is crap--unless you believe that anyone who considers themselves part of the "left" is immune from criticism (should I also let you molest children?). The fact is that you treat workers worse than Wal-Mart, and I don't consider myself part of any movement that includes such mistreatment.

Flynne, you claim that workers are paid for thier "extracarricular activities" like flyering, signiture gathering...but Blair claims that posters are hung by volunteers, so which is it?

And, who cares if flyering is effective, of course it is, the point is it should be left for neighborhood events, not huge groups with the resources to afford legitimate methods of recruitment.

In spite of the lack of money that the canvassers make, to say the organization needs to be stopped is not in my opinion the right avenue to take. Trying to resolve or to work to get better wages or to deal with the protocol seems like it would be the 'better way' than to shut down the organization. I am willing to speculate that not all the money in their treasury comes from grass roots door to door. Many similar environmental groups do the same type of canvassing and pay scales etc.
It almost seems, it takes one dedicated to the cause more than the money to fill these positions. Any organization that is out fighting the big business corrupt corporations that are ruining the land water and air I want to support and encourage. We need them!

But just as well ... .Yes I would support the canvassers getting paid better!
Yes I really appreciate what they do by going person to person door to door, and the long hours etc. I would sincerely support a push for better wages for the hard front line workers ...if their "was a movement to support them" through......but in this case - what I seen here was just a SHUT OSPRIG DOWN agenda?

Many people have organized for better wages ....Power to the People........
But lets not cut off the arm because one finger is in pain!

If this was a big nasty corporation that is raking in millions and destroying our planet ...lets try n shut it down ......But seriously OSPRIG is doing many GOOD things locally and state wide. You can see a couple of my points in the discussion tab in this post as to some of "their achievements" now how can those achievements and agendas to better the planet be bad? ......Answer is ....It Isn't!

Hopefully that was why you too were working for them ....to promote their causes and get support for them as well as 'your support' that was given by your sweat and effort.
I sort of wonder was you motivation only for the money, and not much concern for their agendas?

Once again I would support a wage increase of some kind for canvassers and a 'solidarity cause' for more money would maybe be supported by like minded / fair individuals as well.
I would hope anyway.
Need support to try and get those changes? .....Hey now we are talking.
Power to the People. "Lets work together" as that olé "Canned Heat" song in the early 70's encouraged us all to do.

> it's amazing how bitter ex-canvassers can still be so angry, and ignorant
> enough to slander OSPIRG, who doesn't employ the canvassers in the first place

So the PIRG managers are either claiming that the people who make a living raising money for them are actually employed by somebody else and that their experiences are Somebody Else's Problem (a common Orwellian legal strategy in this day and age) or else they're just claiming that the people who make a living raising money for them are not "employed" at all, that they're each an "independent contractor" like Halliburton (another common Orwellian legal strategy for businesses looking to avoid their responsibilities and return to the rules of the 19th century).

Hi all,

my son just started working for this Non-profit in Eugene. I am shocked to Non-believe that they can get away with not paying these kids at least the minimum wage.

The spiel is like this--Base pay is $225 a week, 5 days a week, 8 hours of work daily. Training sessions don't seem to be included as work time. Quota per day in Human rights issues is $100. You don't bring in that quota, you don't get the base pay. Instead you get 40% of whatever you bring in. If you are below the quota they ask you to come in for more training sessions, also non paid.

First day, he went into a liberal neighborhood--made $150 donations, 2nd day, he made $60--that day he was in a poor, liberal neighborhood, where people don't have money to donate. 3rd day--he made $12--he was in a real conservative neighborhood, next day they dropped him off in Corvallis, also a conservative neighborhood, where most people once they heard the word "Gay" shut the door into his face, or tried to "jesus talk" him--that day he made $6. Not let's calculate that out---he brought in so far $228, 40% of that is $91. And that is for a job which makes you walk for 8 hours, no matter what the weather, uphill, downhill, for what? $2.28 an hour. That money barely pays for the lunch.

And as I heard many in his group just got the same amount or less in donations.

This is not a job--this is slavery.

I find it ironic that a non-profit company like Osprig works for human rights issues, and they treat their canvassers like that.

That should be illegal. And this issue should be brought up to the Media, I might even write an open letter to our newspaper. I know I will not support Osprig with donations anymore, knowing what I know now.

Many people are not aware of this. I think another bad thing about it is, that they get young kids, first time job seekers, which are full of enthusiam to work for a good cause get misused like that and then loose their respect for organisations which work for good causes. SAD!

Well More INFO on what OSPRIG brings to teh community
And original poster wanted to tear down their signs?
Read this email I just recieved on Sept 20 -2006
_______________________________________________________________

OSPIRG Citizen Agenda Fall Edition Goes Online

This fall's edition of the OSPIRG Citizen Agenda is now available online at:  http://www.ospirg.org/newsletters/fall06/

OSPIRG Citizen Agenda is the same newsletter you've always gotten, but moving to the Web means less printing, which helps us reduce our environmental impact and keeps more of your contribution working toward real results for Oregon.

Top Stories:
Momentum Builds For Clean Energy
Energy policy is shaping up to be one of the biggest issues that legislators who gain office in this fall's elections will address during the legislative session.
 http://www.ospirg.org/newsletters/fall06/topstory.html

Yes On 44: OSPIRG Endorses Measure To Cut Rx Costs
On the November 2006 ballot, OSPIRG urges Oregonians to approve measure 44 to expand the state's prescription drug purchasing pool-the Oregon Prescription Drug Program-to all uninsured Oregonians.
 http://www.ospirg.org/newsletters/fall06/story2.html

Legislature Passes Payday Loan Consumer Protections
During its record-speed April special session, the Oregon Legislature passed an OSPIRG-backed bill to give consumers new protections from payday loans' previously unlimited interest rates and fees.
 http://www.ospirg.org/newsletters/fall06/story3.html

OSPIRG Interviews:
Oregon's Gubernatorial Candidates Talk to OSPIRG Members
As part of our ongoing efforts to educate Oregonians about public interest issues affecting our state, OSPIRG invited all gubernatorial candidates to communicate with our 32,000 members by submitting a statement with their positions and plans on a variety of issues.
 http://www.ospirg.org/newsletters/fall06/story4.html

News Briefs:
Bill To Protect Oceans From Overfishing  http://www.ospirg.org/newsletters/fall06/news.html#1

Arctic Refuge Again At Risk
 http://www.ospirg.org/newsletters/fall06/news.html#2

OSPIRG, Gov. Call For Gas Mileage Boost  http://www.ospirg.org/newsletters/fall06/news.html#3

PGE's Coal Plant Will Have To Cut Pollution  http://www.ospirg.org/newsletters/fall06/news.html#4

DeFazio, Walden Vote For Drilling Off Coast
 http://www.ospirg.org/newsletters/fall06/news.html#5

OSPIRG Calls For ID Theft Crack Down
 http://www.ospirg.org/newsletters/fall06/news.html#6

Smith, Wyden Move On Mt. Hood Wilderness  http://www.ospirg.org/newsletters/fall06/news.html#7

Letter From The Director:
Clean Cars Victory Sets Stage For Action On Global Warming
 http://www.ospirg.org/newsletters/fall06/dirltr.html

To make a contribution or join OSPIRG, visit  http://www.ospirg.org

You can e-mail me, too -- just reply to this message.

Oregon State Public Interest Research Group
1536 SE 11th Ave. - Portland, OR 97214 - (503) 231-4181


Sincerely,

Maureen Kirk
OSPIRG Executive Director
 MaureenK@ospirg.org
 http://www.OSPIRG.org

What should be know is the separation between the State PIRGs and the Fund for the Public Interest Research.

The state PIRGs have occasionally effected positive change through the typical political avenues.

The Fund for the Public Interest Research (henceforth known as the FFPIR) is a known union busting corporation that has parasitically attached itself to the PIRGs over the last decade, showing this world how the thirst for money and power can win over any positive movement for beneficial change.

Knowing the functional difference between the PIRGs and the FFPIR can help in directing future movements.