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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"> <SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri">A new statewide network of 33 volunteer mentors trained in collections care and emergency management will work directly with Oregon museums, libraries and archives starting today. Mentors will voluntarily work directly with Oregon archives, libraries and museums to improve the care of cultural artifacts, and prepare for emergencies.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri">“People who care for these collections of historic objects and paper are seeking more skills and knowledge to address issues of preservation and disasters,” said Kyle Jansson, coordinator of the Oregon Heritage Commission and the project director of the new Oregon Heritage MentorCorps. “MentorCorps members will provide consulting, mentoring and training on these topics in ways that meet the needs of the 1,000 cultural heritage organizations in Oregon.”<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri">Mentors’ experience ranges from graduate students to retired heritage executives with decades of experience. Mentors will work with organizations in their region of the state. All nonprofit and government archives, libraries and museums will be able to access the free service.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri">“We appreciate the mentors giving these organizations directly skills and knowledge,” said Jansson. “In the process of helping organizations, the mentors are also indirectly supporting the heritage of their own communities and regions.” <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri">The MentorCorps takeoff is funded by a grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services, and funds from the Oregon Heritage Commission and the Oregon Cultural Trust. Project partners include the Oregon Heritage Commission, Oregon Library Association, Northwest Archivists, Oregon Museums Association, Oregon State Archives, Oregon State Library, Oregon Historical Society, Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, and other organizations. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>he MentorCorps website is located at </SPAN><A href="http://www.mindyourcollections.org/"><SPAN style="COLOR: blue; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri">www.mindyourcollections.org</SPAN></A><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri">Mentors, by region, include:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri">Portland Metro Region Mentors: Angela Arena, Hillsboro; Sarah Cantor, Lake Oswego; Kathleen Daly, Clackamas; Todd Mayberry, Portland; Lloyd Musser, Happy Valley; Quinn Robinson, Portland; Alex Toth, Portland; and George Vogt, Portland. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri">Willamette Valley Region Mentors: Dave Hegeman, Newberg; Dannie Helm, Springfield; Heather Kliever, Eugene; Marie Longfellow, Cottage Grove; Jennifer O’Neal, Eugene; Lindsey Stafford, Eugene; Sara Swanborn, Salem; Ashley Toutain, Salem; Heather Woodward, Salem; and Rachael Woody, McMinnville.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri">Coast Region Mentors: Tom Chandler, Toledo; Jerry Ostermiller, Astoria; Jeff Smith, Astoria; Vicki Wiese, Coos Bay.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri">Central and Eastern Region Mentors: Patricia Dawson, Pendleton; Shannon Maslach, Joseph; Randall Melton, Pendleton; Carolyn Purcell, The Dalles; Christie Sweet, John Day; and Terri Washburn, Cove. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri">Southern Region Mentors:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Wanda Chin, Ashland; Dorothy Cotton, Phoenix; Terry Dickey, Ashland; Amy Drake, Medford; Debra Griffith, Ashland; and Dru Ellen Smith, Ashland. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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