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What do you get for $15 a year?

• PawPrints Bi-Monthly Newsletter
• Members-only Email notice of events
• Discounts to Bear Bust, Beartown event, Campout, more
• Share in the support of our Bear Community and our deserving charities
• Specials from local bars and businesses

WHY BE A BEAR?
By Doug Watson

Being a big hearted bunch, the Oregon Bears is never too pushy about joining.Yet somehow we ended up being one of the biggest social and charitable gay organizations in Oregon.Wait - not just in Oregon – we’re a bigger Bear Club than those in many cities much larger than Portland.With over 250 members, we can be Bear Proud of what we’ve accomplished.

What keeps Bears coming to our events, accessing our web site, getting our event announcements and just plain hanging out with us? Well, first of all we’re a fun, friendly group – low on attitude, high on friendship. So when I say we’ve got over 250 paid members, to look at our events, you can see we’ve got another bunch of guys who just like to show up. That’s way cool with us, cause how else are we going to get to know all the Bears.

The Oregon Bears was founded on the idea of keep it fun, keep it affordable and give to local charities.We also give back more to our members than we take in. That’s okay with us 'cause we do it by giving of ourselves.

So, back to my question.Why become an Oregon Bear?First, from my standpoint Pride! It makes me feel good to tell friends I’m an Oregon Bear, and I think other Bears feel the same. We’ve got a club to be proud of. Second, the Oregon Bears are getting be known in the Northwest for not just good friendly times but for our Big Hearts and how we give regularly to local community charities. Then there is that nifty Membership Card…okay…that’s not a reason to join, but it’s something to pull out and show your friends that you are an Official Bear.

Now to the money shot (as they say in Bear Films). You’ve read all this and you still say, what’s in it for me? Well as they say in the infomercials…wait…that’s not all.

We keep our membership cost low - $15. So, what are we doing for you that you should continue to join? Three words – it’s a bargain. For your $15 you get back the Paw Prints newsletter, the Members Only Events Announcement, an option to have a spot on the website in the Members Directory for your photo and an email link so other Bears can find you, and discounts to all events which we charge at the door for. The discounts run from $2 to $15 depending on the event. Plus it’s pretty hard to beat the Bear Bust price for three hours of fun and refreshments. Of all the events we put on – over 100 a year at last count - we only require admission at three of’ them – some Beartown Weekend events, Camp Oregon Bears and UnderBear Bowling.

Now you’re getting the picture…we’re not doing it for the money. As an all volunteer Board, we put in lots of hours because we like being around Bears and we like raising money for great charitable groups like Friends of PWA Foundation. We’re not an infomercial after all…just a great group of guys. Did I mention you get unlimited hugs….LOL.