• The evolution of voting rights and electoral systems
• Opportunities and challenges of technology in civic engagement
• Combating disinformation and preserving truth in democratic discourse
• Reimagining representative democracy for the 21st century
• Grassroots movements and their impact on democratic processes
• The role of education in fostering democratic citizenship
• Balancing individual liberties with collective security in democracies
• Economic inequality and its effects on democratic participation
• Global perspectives: Comparing democratic models across cultures

Ultimately, sessions are decided by attendees, and each session is a roundtable discussion that where all contribute and no one leads, pontificates or holds court. Everyone gets to participate and share equally.

RSVP: https://www.meetup.com/positivesocialimpact/events/303510680/

Welcome to Above GRND Coffee, nestled in the heart of downtown Portland. They are proud to be a Black-owned business, owned and operated by first-generation Somali and Muslim immigrants, committed to bringing joy and building community in our beautiful city, Portland.

Their journey began with a vision to create a welcoming sneaker-coffee hub above the bustling sneaker store, Bridge City Soles. Above GRND is not just a coffee shop, it's the place to be. Where conversations flow freely, creative ideas are exchanged, and relationships are nurtured.

We can't wait to learn more about what you are working on and how we can be helpful.

As always, be there thinking about ways you can help your fellow founders. No selling, no solicitations, just good conversations!

It's two days before Turkey day, see you there gobblers.

RSVP: https://www.meetup.com/founder-coffee/events/304424088/

If you're like me, you spend WAYYYY too much time in front of a computer. I think it would be great to have a monthly get together at a bar or pub to just get to know each other, have a brew, and yes, talk about the business. Real human interaction, in other words. Repeats the last Tuesday of every month.

Starting September 24th we will be changing venues to Romtoms, on the east side of the bridge at Burnside and 6th St. We hope there will be more room and it will be easier to find the rest of us. We look forward to seeing everyone.

If you can't find us inside look for us out in the back we may be enjoying the sunshine and the beautiful open patio.

RainSec is an informal group of like-minded security professionals who meet to network and discuss topics of interest in a non-work, non-vendor setting.

While our target audience is experienced information security professionals, this is a public event open to any interested parties. If you have a friend or colleague who might benefit, please pass an invite along.

Follow @PDXRainSec on Twitter for last minute updates.

Because COVID-19 still presents significant risk to some members of our community, we ask that you observe the following and make your own risk assessment decision regarding your attendance:

• If outdoor seating is available and weather permits, we will be outside.
• If you are feeling sick, stay home!
• If you've had a recent COVID exposure, stay home!
• If you are not vaccinated, stay home!
• If you are otherwise considered high risk for COVID, please stay home until you feel it is safe to gather in large groups (20-40 people). We don't want to be the cause of anyone's illness or death.

You can also find us on Meetup.com and Google Groups.

If you're looking for more security-focused community meetups in the Portland area, check out pdx-infosec.com.

Entrepreneurship is a path filled with purpose, innovation, and growth—but also with unique challenges that can wear down even the most passionate founders. The constant demands, isolation, and pressure to succeed can build up, creating chronic stress that, if left unchecked, leads to burnout.

In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn to recognize and address the subtle triggers of stress before they accumulate, explore methods to manage self-doubt and fear of failure, and identify practical ways to maintain balance and clarity. Through a combination of real-world insights and a unique framework for resilience, we’ll cover:

• Recognizing early signs of stress that may lead to burnout
• Managing uncertainty and finding your center amidst rapid change
• Working with fears, imposter syndrome, and moments of self-doubt
• Tools to stay grounded, even when resources feel scarce
• Realigning with purpose and creating sustainable work-life boundaries

Whether you're in the early stages or scaling up, this workshop offers valuable strategies to navigate the entrepreneurial journey without sacrificing well-being, integrity, or personal growth. Join us to learn how you can lead yourself and your venture with resilience and authenticity.

Breakside has grown a bit too popular and we will be moving to have dinner at Ickabods for the foreseeable future. It worked great last month!

Be There and Be Square!

Geek and Nerd dinners are a great way to get to know your peers in the industry in an informal setting. We always have great food, beverages, and conversation!

We'll look to the RSVPs on here to guide our reservation. Please let us know you are coming!

Please RSVP in the link above.

Please read or listen to this essay prior to the event:

• Essay: https://darioamodei.com/machines-of-loving-grace
• Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mdVD4aGZiY

What's this Essay about?: In his essay "Machines of Loving Grace," Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, discusses how advanced AI could potentially improve several aspects of society, such as healthcare, mental health, and economic development. Amodei stresses the need for a careful balance between leveraging AI’s benefits and managing its associated risks, highlighting a vision where AI is designed primarily to support and enhance human life.

Dario Amodei is the CEO and co-founder of Anthropic. He previously served as the vice president of Research at OpenAI. He holds a Ph.D. in physics from Princeton University and has contributed extensively to AI safety research.

What's an AI Discussion Group?: This is a discussion group for non-engineers focused on exploring applications of AI in business, productivity, and everyday life. Every month, we’ll listen to a podcast or read an article on our own, then meet up and discuss in small groups. Attendees should have a fundamental understanding of AI concepts like multi-agent systems, prompt engineering, natural language processing, and human-centered design. Our meetings generally follow this format: - Meet and mingle - A few rounds of small group discussions - Grab food/drink somewhere nearby

We are both online via the link below and hosted in person thanks to Tech Academy!

Hosted by Aaron Campf. Online Teams Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_YTljOWRlMDAtNThmZS00NzljLWE1YTEtZDhlODMyYzI0OTRi%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2282ea9e81-6f10-49e0-a1f1-d75b0b4c2e7c%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22143ee9d3-21a4-4da7-a1e8-2472c358110e%22%7d

Or call in (audio only) +1 872-240-8681,,882162595# United States, Chicago Phone Conference ID: 882 162 595#

Please join one of our community group chats

Slack https://join.slack.com/t/mentorshipsaturdays/shared_invite/zt-1mnjewbt2-rWJfxmqf6_JWtSSk~Svj0w

Discord https://discord.gg/nSCxgbcG7U

If there are any issues with joining in person or online please message on here and Slack or Discord

Be There and Be Square!

Geek and Nerd dinners are a great way to get to know your peers in the industry in an informal setting. We always have great food, beverages, and conversation!

We'll look to the RSVPs on here to guide our reservation. Please let us know you are coming!

====== PADNUG is the developer user group in the Portland, Oregon metro area. We bring together software developers from throughout the area to learn and discuss technologies and techniques for developing on and interacting with Microsoft platforms. We hold monthly meetings featuring amazing presentations on a wide range of topics including Technology Announcements, Architecture, Methodologies, and Developer Experiences.

Join our growing community of developers!

Demolicious, a monthly pitch event for early-stage startups, is thrilled to announce the first end-of-the-year Champion of Champions pitch event. Held where it all started at the famed McMenamins Mission Theater, 11 past monthly Demolicious winners will compete to become 2024 Demolicious Champion and take home the coveted championship belt!

This event is free and open to the public, but sign up asap because we expect it to be a complete sell out. A waitlist will be created once RSVPs become full.

How Demolicious works:

Team will have 5 minutes to pitch. The audience will vote. Results of the vote will be awarded the championship belt. Pretty simple right!?! Can't wait to see you there.

December Special Guest - Caroline Lewis of Rogue Women's Fund! Caroline identifies all new investment opportunities for Rogue and leverages her previous experience to assist portfolio companies with growth. In addition, she is the Managing Partner of Rogue Women, a Rogue fund investing in early seed-stage women-led companies.

Caroline will talk about the essentials of Venture Capital and the things entrepreneurs usually never hear until it's too late. You won't want to miss her talk about "Venture Capital 101"!

About the Startup Conversations Event Each month we host a local founder who will give a short presentation about their company. They will focus on how it all got started, where they are today, and their plans for the future including the challenges they face to make their goals happen.

Following the presentation our host, Dave Barcos will dig into the founder's background, the company's story, and other observations. After the interview, we will have an audience Q&A session to help attendees ask direct questions of the presenter. It has proven to be a great format to catalyze the local founders and the startups in the region. You won't want to miss it.

For more details on other North Bank events check our event calendar at https://www.northbankinnovations.org/events

About North Bank Innovations North Bank Innovations is an organization based in Southwest Washington, committed to building a thriving ecosystem that helps early-stage startups.

Please note, that we encourage genuine networking, not hunting for sales or leads. If you are genuinely starting or working with a startup, this is the right crowd for you. Thanks for helping us keep it real.

Join the Portland Extended Reality Meetup and connect with like-minded Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Mixed Reality enthusiasts in Portland. Explore the latest trends and technologies in XR, share your latest projects, and connect with the local Portland XR community.

Whether you're interested in live speakers, happy hours, or networking with others in your field, we'll have something for everyone.

Don't miss out on the chance to connect with fellow MR, VR, and AR enthusiasts and expand your knowledge in the ever-evolving world of extended reality.

Join Portland Design Thinkers for our final gathering of 2024! We're bringing together Portland's vibrant community of designers, researchers, and design thinkers for an evening of F2F casual networking and conversation.

What to expect: • Connect with fellow design-thinking professionals in a relaxed setting • Share experiences and insights from your design or research practice • Meet potential collaborators and expand your local network • No entry fee – purchase any food or drinks you'd like to enjoy • Plenty of street parking, bike parking, and transit options

Come raise a glass with us as we wrap up the year and strengthen our local community. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just getting started in design, research, or design thinking, all are welcome!

Join us for a festive evening hosted by AI Portland, Rose City Techies, and the Technology Association of Oregon, as we come together to celebrate our thriving tech and AI community! Connect with fellow professionals from across Portland’s tech and creative landscape, enjoy light snacks and drinks, and expand your network in a relaxed, holiday-inspired atmosphere.

We will be verifying registration and checking IDs at the door. The dress code is casual, but feel free to add a bit of holiday sparkle if you’d like!

We look forward to an evening of good conversation and great company—don’t miss out on this celebration of community and connection!

Folks, we're heading back to Grand Central! Breakside just has too many other events they are accommodating and as many of you know, last month was CRAZY loud!

Geek and Nerd dinners are a great way to get to know your peers in the industry in an informal setting. We always have great food, beverages, and conversation!

===============

PADNUG is the developer user group in the Portland, Oregon metro area. We bring together software developers from throughout the area to learn and discuss technologies and techniques for developing on and interacting with Microsoft platforms. We hold monthly meetings featuring amazing presentations on a wide range of topics including Technology Announcements, Architecture, Methodologies, and Developer Experiences.

Join our growing community of developers!

We're very excited to welcome you to the Portland C++ User's Group (PDXCPP) meetup! Join us in downtown Portland to hobnob, learn, and share with other Modern C++ enthusiasts! Bring your C++ questions, stories of coding adventure, and tales of debugger derring-do!

This month, we will be meeting at the Lucky Labrador Brewpub on SE Hawthorne.

NOTE: We're not really meant to be a "bar group", as kind as the folks at Lucky Lab have been. We are seeking a suitable small venue space, preferably with whiteboards and projectors. If your company is interested in hosting our group, please contact us!

-- Your PDXCPP Organizers

Join us to meet other junior developers as well as some who are further along in their careers. Get to know some friendly people in our industry! 👋 Our goal is to help build community- we want you here! All levels of experience are welcome.

Details No agenda, no pitch, no bullshit. As always, come geek out, network, and have a good time.

Beers with Engineers is a diverse group of engineers from a variety of fields coming together to share a drink after work, commiserate with like-minded nerds, and learn more about our respective industries.

If it's your first time joining us, welcome! We strive to make our meetup welcoming for both newcomers and returning attendees and inclusive for all current or aspiring engineers, especially those who are often underrepresented in the field.

See you there!

If you're like me, you spend WAYYYY too much time in front of a computer. I think it would be great to have a monthly get together at a bar or pub to just get to know each other, have a brew, and yes, talk about the business. Real human interaction, in other words. Repeats the last Tuesday of every month.

Starting September 24th we will be changing venues to Romtoms, on the east side of the bridge at Burnside and 6th St. We hope there will be more room and it will be easier to find the rest of us. We look forward to seeing everyone.

If you can't find us inside look for us out in the back we may be enjoying the sunshine and the beautiful open patio.

PLEASE NOTE: The December 2024 meetup deviates from our normal "last Tuesday" schedule, to avoid falling on New Years Eve. It is taking place a day before on Monday December 30th, at the usual time and place.

RainSec is an informal group of like-minded security professionals who meet to network and discuss topics of interest in a non-work, non-vendor setting.

While our target audience is experienced information security professionals, this is a public event open to any interested parties. If you have a friend or colleague who might benefit, please pass an invite along.

Follow @PDXRainSec on Twitter for last minute updates.

Because COVID-19 still presents significant risk to some members of our community, we ask that you observe the following and make your own risk assessment decision regarding your attendance:

• If outdoor seating is available and weather permits, we will be outside.
• If you are feeling sick, stay home!
• If you've had a recent COVID exposure, stay home!
• If you are not vaccinated, stay home!
• If you are otherwise considered high risk for COVID, please stay home until you feel it is safe to gather in large groups (20-40 people). We don't want to be the cause of anyone's illness or death.

You can also find us on Meetup.com and Google Groups.

If you're looking for more security-focused community meetups in the Portland area, check out pdx-infosec.com.

Breakside has grown a bit too popular and we will be moving to have dinner at Ickabods for the foreseeable future. It worked great last month!

Be There and Be Square!

Geek and Nerd dinners are a great way to get to know your peers in the industry in an informal setting. We always have great food, beverages, and conversation!

We'll look to the RSVPs on here to guide our reservation. Please let us know you are coming!

Be There and Be Square!

Geek and Nerd dinners are a great way to get to know your peers in the industry in an informal setting. We always have great food, beverages, and conversation!

We'll look to the RSVPs on here to guide our reservation. Please let us know you are coming!

====== PADNUG is the developer user group in the Portland, Oregon metro area. We bring together software developers from throughout the area to learn and discuss technologies and techniques for developing on and interacting with Microsoft platforms. We hold monthly meetings featuring amazing presentations on a wide range of topics including Technology Announcements, Architecture, Methodologies, and Developer Experiences.

Join our growing community of developers!

Details No agenda, no pitch, no bullshit. As always, come geek out, network, and have a good time.

Beers with Engineers is a diverse group of engineers from a variety of fields coming together to share a drink after work, commiserate with like-minded nerds, and learn more about our respective industries.

If it's your first time joining us, welcome! We strive to make our meetup welcoming for both newcomers and returning attendees and inclusive for all current or aspiring engineers, especially those who are often underrepresented in the field.

See you there!

Folks, we're heading back to Grand Central! Breakside just has too many other events they are accommodating and as many of you know, last month was CRAZY loud!

Geek and Nerd dinners are a great way to get to know your peers in the industry in an informal setting. We always have great food, beverages, and conversation!

===============

PADNUG is the developer user group in the Portland, Oregon metro area. We bring together software developers from throughout the area to learn and discuss technologies and techniques for developing on and interacting with Microsoft platforms. We hold monthly meetings featuring amazing presentations on a wide range of topics including Technology Announcements, Architecture, Methodologies, and Developer Experiences.

Join our growing community of developers!

Agenda

The event begins at 6 pm; join early, starting at 5:45 pm for networking.

• 5:45–6:00pm Networking
• 6:00–6:15pm Introductions & announcements
• 6:15–7:00pm Presentation
• 7:00–7:30pm Q&A and discussion
• 7:30–7:45pm Wrap up

About the presenter

Nic Steenhout has been an accessibility trainer and troubleshooter for over 25 years. He’s worked on three continents, collaborating with various organizations, from local governments to large corporations, focusing on web accessibility and digital inclusion. Known for his pragmatic, down-to-Earth approach, Nic helps his clients navigate complex accessibility challenges. When he is not off on a birdwatching adventure, you can find him speaking at events or leading workshops.

Accommodation requests

If you have any accommodation requests, don't hesitate to get in touch with us before the event to discuss.

We're very excited to welcome you to the Portland C++ User's Group (PDXCPP) meetup! Join us in downtown Portland to hobnob, learn, and share with other Modern C++ enthusiasts! Bring your C++ questions, stories of coding adventure, and tales of debugger derring-do!

This month, we will be meeting at the Lucky Labrador Brewpub on SE Hawthorne.

NOTE: We're not really meant to be a "bar group", as kind as the folks at Lucky Lab have been. We are seeking a suitable small venue space, preferably with whiteboards and projectors. If your company is interested in hosting our group, please contact us!

-- Your PDXCPP Organizers

If you're like me, you spend WAYYYY too much time in front of a computer. I think it would be great to have a monthly get together at a bar or pub to just get to know each other, have a brew, and yes, talk about the business. Real human interaction, in other words. Repeats the last Tuesday of every month.

Starting September 24th we will be changing venues to Romtoms, on the east side of the bridge at Burnside and 6th St. We hope there will be more room and it will be easier to find the rest of us. We look forward to seeing everyone.

If you can't find us inside look for us out in the back we may be enjoying the sunshine and the beautiful open patio.

Regional Python-focused conference for the Pacific Northwest.

If you would like to submit a session/event for PDX Startup Week 2025, please submit here: https://forms.gle/a8j3oxNdTtWh5JZt7