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Governing Council

CURRENT MEMBERS

Anne Batey: I chair the Village Governing Council and manage office hours on Mondays, where I especially enjoy talking with members about their requests for support and how they are doing. Retired since 2017 after a 40-year career in education, beginning as high school science teacher and ending with online education development in the corporate world. I enjoy reading, gardening, travel and spending time with family and friends.

Bruce Bayley: I am currently the Treasurer and Transportation Coordinator for Village at the Falls. Prior to retiring in 2015, I worked within the Providence Health System as Director of the Center for Outcomes Research and Education, doing health services research to improve quality of care and patient safety. I enjoy gardening throughout the year, visiting our vacation home in Northern Idaho in the summer, and playing basketball with my long-term buddies whenever I can.

Yvonne Crowe: I am a co-coordinator of the Membership team for the Village. Retired for 6 years. Married, 4 adult children. Social worker with adults early in my working career and have always enjoyed working with older adults. Now that I am one I especially enjoy it :-}. My favorite hobby is gardening, and I have led the VATF Garden Tour since its inception. I also enjoy reading, travelling, and most especially my grandchildren.

Lori Lancaster: I am a former classroom science teacher, now working as a science education consultant. I coach teachers and provide professional development. I moved to Oregon City from Portland in 2021. I became a volunteer in order to meet more of the people in my Oregon City Community and to be of service to the members of Villages at the Falls. I have served as secretary for the Village since 2023.

Anne L. Meader: After a variety of careers beginning with teaching French and Russian at the high school level for a year and working in the insurance industry, I went to work for the Federal government. I worked for 3 different agencies over a period of 23 years in administrative positions, but completed my career as an IT Specialist providing email and networking support. I am one of the founding members of Village at the Falls, I work in the office on Fridays and I serve as the Volunteer Coordinator.

Gretchen Nation: Volunteer, Governing council,Garden committee, Media - Facebook, Instagram. Grandma-Choo-choo to Lu. Cat mom to four cats. Retired from UPRR as telegrapher/clerk. Previously held positions on Blue Mountain Heart to Heart nonprofit board, an HIV-AIDS outreach organization in Walla Walla. Past PTA officer. 

Kathy Rafish: I am so thrilled to be part of the Village. I'm beginning my second term on the Governing Council, I'm also a certified driver, I work in the office on Wednesdays and support all things technology for the Village. I retired from the Department of Veterans of Affairs in October 2019, with 31 years of service. I spent most of my career in Information Technology, focusing on System Implementation across the VA hospitals and clinics. I'm very active and love spending time with friends, reading, making cards and volunteering with multiple organizations. Fun fact....I've run 40 marathons.

Lyn Trainer: After a career in nonprofit management, I have been a Villages NW volunteer since 2015 serving on the Board of Directors and co-chair of RiverWest Village in SW Portland. I also serve as the Board's liaison to Village at the Falls.

Becky Weggler: Raised in Portland, Oregon. Ventured off to become a Health Care Administrator working in the first Department of Geriatrics in a US medical school (Mount Sinai Medical Center, NY). Moved with family back to the Pacific Northwest and worked at Children's Hospital in Seattle. A job opportunity opened up for my husband in Tulsa, Oklahoma which allowed me to leave the field and eventually teach computers and be a children's librarian in the only Jewish day school in Oklahoma where I also edited the school newsletter. Moving back to Oregon in 2016 I found VATF through the Oregon City Farmer's Market. I compile and edit the VATF newsletter, work one day a week in the office, and serve on the Governing Council. Love reading, working with clay, hiking, spending time with friends and family.

Shelly White: Growing up in Oregon City I married at a young age and became a stay at home mom raising two daughters. I now have two grandbabies and one more on the way! I enjoy spending time with and helping older people and have done this throughout my life. As a volunteer and for paid work I have been a caregiver and worked in a retirement home. I am an avid quilter and enjoy teaching others to learn to quilt. My computer and electronic skills are self taught. I heard about VATF through a friend and neighbor. I helped create our village website and am the manager of our VATF Helpful Village website. I serve on the Governing Council, lead the Tech Team, and work in the virtual office one day a week.

 

PAST MEMBERS Of Governing Council

Barbara Derkacht: Barbara was an early member of our Steering Committee while we developed our Village and then served on the Governing Council for two years.  She continues to facilitate new volunteer training and helps out with Village events.

Marti Franc: Marti was a founding member and volunteer who served as Secretary and Membership Coordinator for two years before moving out of Oregon City and joining a neighboring Village, RiversEast Village. 

Mary Anne Elliott: Mary Anne served as a newsletter contributor and has hosted the monthly Village Coffee Klatsch.

Diane Peterson: Diane has been Village Outreach Coordinator since the Village began development in 2018. She served on the Governing Council from 2021-2024.