About the Whiteaker Community Council
WCC Charter
The Whiteaker Community Charter is currently in the process of being revised to better serve our members and changes in technology (we never imagined having virtual meetings in 1974 when the WCC was founded!).
If you are interested in joining the Charter Ad Hoc Committee (just a fancy way of saying temporary), please contact us at whiteakercommunitycouncil@gmail.com.
History of the WCC
This section is currently in the process of being researched and written. Please come back later for updates, but check out this short history here from our neighbors at the East Blair Housing Cooperative!
Our Impact
Your Whiteaker Community Council has been receiving funding from a number of grants to improve the lives of those in the neighborhood. So far, with your participation and support, we have had the following impact:
Thousands of dollars provided to Whiteaker businesses to support COVID-19 vaccine confidence
800+ vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus
100+ tested for COVID-19
14 hand sanitizer stations around the neighborhood to reduce the spread of the virus, as well as to reduce the financial load on our local businesses.
All finances uploaded to QuickBooks for better accounting and tracking
New WCC Transportation Committee created in 2021
It’s first full time staff in 40+ years, as well as 7 additional contracted employees from 2020 - 2021
Meet the Board
Margaret Steinbrunn
CHAIR
Read more about Margaret
In 1984 Margaret packed up, moved to the great Northwest, never looking back. She’s lived in the Whiteaker since about 2008. Margaret values being part of the community and loves the diversity and artistic nature of the “Whit” neighborhood. Initially, she was drawn to the hands-on, grass roots approach of the WCC. This is her second term as an at-Large Board Member. She has been actively attending meetings for a few years. Margaret serves on the Public Health and Safety Committee and oversaw procurement of supplies to prevent the spread and transmission of COVID-19 at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. She plays an active role in developing and maintaining the hand sanitizer station program at local businesses throughout the community. If you ever walked past her house during the Whiteaker Block Party you likely didn’t get past without a plate of BBQ and a cold beverage. Margaret is very excited to be a part of the growth of the WCC in these changing times.
Eliot Bald
VICE-CHAIR
Read more about Eliot
Eliot moved to the Whiteaker Neighborhood in June 2023 to live in a walkable and mixed-use neighborhood. After getting four flat tires on his bike becuase of debris in the streets, he decided to attend a WCC meeting and the rest is snowballed from there.
He currently works as a Production Planner at Abcam and while just recently elected to the Board, he has spear-headed operational improvements like revamping our online donation page.
If you see Eliot cleaning up the streets with his bike trailer, feel free to say hi!
Julie Bowman
INTERIM SECRETARY
Read more about Julie
Julie Bowman grew up in Eugene and has lived in the Whiteaker since 2005. She has been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2008, and runs her private practice from an office in the Whit. As a volunteer with the WCC, she has been a coordinator for the Free Summer Concert series in Scobert Gardens Park since 2022. Julie loves dogs, cooking, live music, and traveling with her husband and friends.
Dennis Ramsey
TREASURER
Read more about Dennis
Claire Roth
MEMBER AT-LARGE
Read more about Claire
Claire Roth moved to the Whiteaker in 2019 and was immediately taken with the vibrant community and walkable and bikeable neighborhood. She works with Better Eugene-Springfield Transportation (BEST) as Program Manager, working to advance safe, comfortable, and convenient transportation in our area. Claire’s interests include bicycling along the river path, estate sales, plants, karaoke, foraging, and cats.
Chris Horton
MEMBER AT-LARGE
Read more about Chris
Chris grew up in Eugene, relocating in 2021. For most of his career, Chris was an independent film marketer and distributor, including long stints at Sundance Institute in LA and Cinetic Media in NY. He currently runs account strategy for a local marketing agency. Chris, his wife, and two young kids can be found roaming the parks, breweries, and restaurants throughout the Whiteaker.