Stephen V Beckett, PT (President, Treasurer)
Stephen, a Maine resident (47 years) from California will tell you, "I'm just a kid
from Orange County and I swear I mean you no harm!" His friends call him a renaissance man. Born and
raised a quarter mile from Disneyland explains, "most of what's wrong with me." He's always had
a compulsion for doing things his own way, and pretty much always has. Built his own house and homestead
up in Central Maine back in the seventies, then started a harness and leather-goods business out of thin
air. After twenty years of that he learned the healing arts and “switched to live hide”. Graduated from
the University of New England Physical Therapy degree program with honors. One day in 2006 Jennifer Lunden
walked into his office and invited the whole suite of practitioners to join the timebank since Health Care
was a most provided service. He asked if he could see his statement online, and they said, "No"
The rest of that story is here.
Today Stephen continues to perform duties as a co-founder of hOurworld.org the umbrella organization
that houses over 400 timebanks in 22 countries and 9 languages and maintains a strong interest in
preserving Hour Exchange Portland, the birth mother of it all!
Robin LoRé (Vice President)
I am interested in action pertaining to ecological preservation, inclusion, diversity, and the
sharing of time and talent to build a strong, healthy, local community. I feel the Hour Exchange
embodies these ideals perfectly, and it is what drew me to join. I'm happy to be of service to
the Hour Exchange in any capacity, and hope that I can help move the ball forward in its growth
and ongoing evolution.
Sherry McAndrew (Secretary)
Creative collaboration brings me the greatest joy. Whether I'm working as part of an inventive team,
joining forces with another artist, or enjoying the spark of committed relationships, collaboration
always makes me feel that the sky's the limit, and my imagination soars. I also think the most
important problems we face in the world, the ones really worth solving, require the collaboration
of diverse people forging their ideas into never-before-seen combinations. I'm thrilled to be part
of the creative collaboration that is Hour Exchange Portland. To this role, I bring a professional
background in technology and higher education, a passion for non-hierarchical processes, and the
hope that our work together will strengthen the social fabric of our community.
Julie Sawtelle
I was taught from a young age that our purpose on Earth is to help others. My parents led by example,
and instilled a strong sense of the importance of community in their children. Throughout my life, I have
continued the family tradition by volunteer work with various groups and organizations. I've also been
fortunate to be able to explore a wide variety of professional and recreational interests over the years,
and I enjoy sharing the skills and knowledge gained through those experiences. I feel honored to have
the opportunity to serve on the board of HXP.
A 24 year member of HXP, Don is a Graduate of the BOSSEY Institute World Counsel of Churches, Ceoigny,
Switzerland. He participated in programs under the East West Center - US State Dept. US/Asia Relations,
as well Management Training Planned Parenthood World Population. Don owns and works a 21 Acre Farmstead
in Hiram Maine and is involved in Food Security through HXP and local food pantries. He is a retired
Massage Therapist and once taught Workshops in Alternative Health
Jennifer Lunden (as of July 2023)
I've been a member of Hour Exchange Portland since it had a different name and was based in the building
on the corner of Congress and Washington. I love everything HXP stands for: that everyone has something
to contribute, that everyone's work is of equal value, and that HXP is a way to have community in a
nation where that's harder and harder to come by. And I love that I can do what I enjoy to get what I
need or want. I was a psychotherapist for 15 years and in that time also formed my own state-licensed
agency offering referrals and clinical supervision to other therapists. I'm a self-starter who wants to
do what I can to make the world a better place. I'm also a writer. My book
American Breakdown: Our Ailing Nation, My Body's Revolt, and the Nineteenth-Century Woman Who Brought
Me Back to Life is launching May 9. (Which is why I'm not available to join the board until July.)
My book is about how America's distinct form of industrial capitalism impacts our health. Hour Exchange
Portland is an antidote to that.