Safeguard the Future for Make-A-Will Month

I’ll be honest: before joining the staff of OEC four years ago, estate planning wasn’t something on my mind. But after hearing from so many of our members who have included OEC in their estate plans, I was inspired to begin thinking about what I want my legacy to be.

I did not previously understand the importance of estate planning. I have never had significant wealth and had assumed that wills and trusts were only important for people with vast resources. The more I learned, however, the more I realized the importance of creating a plan for the future, especially now that I own a home and have a child. I want to know that my son will be cared for if something happens to me and my husband, and I want to save my loved ones from the burden of trying to guess what my wishes would be.

To start the process, my husband and I found an estate attorney. We made our choice based on recommendations from family members, but there are many resources available online as well. Our attorney made sure we had the information we needed to decide what route was best for us (will vs. trust) and gave us an idea of what kinds of decisions we would need to make. Some people might feel uncomfortable making plans for their own death, but I find it comforting to know that plans are in place and that the people and causes I love will be provided for in the ways that I want. We are choosing to leave a small percentage of our estate to Oregon Environmental Council, because I want my legacy to include a healthier environment for my son and future generations. 

Creating a plan for the future can be time-consuming, and involves making some difficult decisions. But it brings me peace of mind knowing that my wishes will be clear to my trustees. I am also comforted knowing that I can make updates to my plans as my own circumstances change. If you are in the same situation I was and don’t know where to start, there are resources listed on our Planned Giving Pages. Please feel free to utilize these resources whether you choose to include OEC in your planning or not. And, if you do decide to include OEC in your legacy, thank you. Together we can ensure a healthier environment for future generations.

If you would like to join me as a champion for Oregon’s environment, you can remember OEC with a gift in your will or other estate plan to help ensure a healthy and resilient environment for future generations. Contact me at 503-222-1963 x 201 or [email protected] to learn more.

Meagan Golec

Major Gifts Officer and proud OEC member

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