Dan Murphy Named 2016 Tigard’s First Citizen

Dan Murphy, Founding General Manager of the Broadway Rose Theatre has been named as the 2016 recipient of the Tigard’s First Citizen award.   This award recognizes someone who has made in-depth, long-term volunteer contributions to the Tigard community over the years. The winner is active, involved, interested, and enthusiastic about making Tigard a nice place to live and work. This individual excels in any area of unpaid endeavor of education, social services, youth work, and community improvement of public services. This award is given in the spirit of all volunteers who remain unknown. The recipient joins the ranks of those previously honored in continually striving to improve the Tigard Area. For the last 20+ years, Dan has been engaged in the fabric of the Tigard community on a variety of volunteer levels including Tigard Rotary (14 years), Tigard Chamber Board of Directors (8 years), Tigard Senior Center Meals on Wheels Volunteer (6+ years), Tigard Tualatin School District (TTSD) (14 years), Washington County Visitors Association (2 years), Tigard High Scholastic Achievement Banquet (13 years), Community Partners for Affordable Housing (7 years) and the Tigard Downtown Task Force (2 years).  Knighted as a Royal Rosarian in August 2015 and board member of Portland Area Theatre Alliance for the last 3 years, Dan has helped increase the visibility of Tigard within the Portland Metro area.  His impact has been and is being felt in a variety of areas to our community:
Community Improvement/Investment
Dan was a member of the city appointed Tigard Downtown task force that was responsible for major input in the Tigard Downtown Improvement plan.  Task Force activities included public workshops and surveys, monthly meetings, creation of a vision for Downtown 20-30 years out, guiding principles for evaluating options and more during 2004-2005.   The results of the task force work are still being used today to transform downtown.
As Tigard Chamber board chair, was pivotal in helping transition the 20 year old Tigard Farmers Market from founding management to new management, maintaining a key community gem, now entering its 24th year.
Volunteer Master of Ceremonies for the last 10 years of the annual Tigard Shining Stars Community Awards Celebration, an evening celebrating volunteerism, scholarship and business excellence in Tigard.
Helping local non-profits grow and advance their cause
Facility use for Good Neighbor Center annual fundraiser “In Other Words” for the last 5 years.  Good Neighbor Center is a Tigard based family homeless shelter
Master of Ceremonies for Community Partners for Affordable Housing “Homeword Bound” annual fundraiser for the last 7 years.  A Tigard based non-profit, CPAH’s mission is to promote a healthy community through the development of permanent affordable housing, sustainable economic growth, and community-based partnerships
Venue for Tigard Chamber events including Good Morning Tigard Networking, Holiday Happy Hours, Tigard Young Professionals and G.E.T. Connected events creating a great atmosphere for networking and education.  Dan comes in early and stays late, attends the event to make the facility accessible.
Volunteer delivery driver for Tigard Senior Center Meals on Wheels for over 6 years
Board member of Tigard Chamber for 8 years, serving as Chair for three years, bringing his insight and wisdom to the chamber during a challenging time.
Board Member, Washington County Visitors Association, helping bring awareness to Tigard as an arts and entertainment destination
Education/Learning
Volunteer Art Literacy teacher at Durham Elementary for 10 years, filling a gap not covered by a funded teaching position within TTSD.
Coordinator/Administrator and Master of Ceremonies for the Tigard Rotary Scholastic Achievement Banquet for 13 years a key way of recognizing student achievement on many levels.
Producer for 14 years of the Tualatin High annual musical with hundreds of hours of donated time not covered by a stipend. While not in Tigard per se, Tigard and Tualatin share a school district and students in our zip code attend Tualatin High.  This exemplifies Dan’s support of the educational system in our area.
Supports the Tigard Young Professionals Educational Breakfasts held 5-6 times/year by coming in early, opening his facility and staying for the speaker.
Greater good/advocacy
Moderator for city and federal elections debates/forums at the Broadway Rose providing a comfortable, welcoming central venue and a way for citizens to make an informed vote.
2012 1st Congressional District Debate between Bonamici and Cornilles
2012 Tigard Mayors Debate
2014 Tigard City Council Forum
As you can see by Dan’s investment in his community he is a big proponent of giving back on many levels whether of his time, his talent or a venue that he manages.  He is upbeat, kind and always willing to help.  As a fellow non-profit leader, he has a heart for the non-profits in his community helping them advance their cause through his assistance.  He has engaged and become a part of the fabric of Tigard reaching beyond just the arts, focused on the community whether visioning for downtown Tigard, supporting education, ensuring the sustainability of the Tigard Farmers Market or helping organizations that serve those less fortunate.
Please join us in congratulating Dan on his award and thanking him for his service to our Tigard community.  His award will be formally presented with other Tigard volunteer and business awards at Tigard’s 2016 Shining Stars Community Awards Celebration, sponsored by Title Sponsors Center Street Gold & Silver and HomeStreet Bank (King City/Tigard Branch).  The event will be held on Friday, April 29th from 5:30-9 p.m. at Embassy Suites – Washington Square, our event location host.  With a theme of “Diamonds are Forever”, this elegant themed dinner event includes dinner, silent auction, dessert dash, awards, and more. Tickets are $45/person.  Dress your best and join us to celebrate Tigard!
For further details about Shining Stars, please contact the Tigard Chamber of Commerce at 503-639-1656 or at events@tigardchamber.org, or go to our webpage at www.tigardchamber.org.