Annual Gathering 2009

Oregon Rural Action's eighth annual gathering on September 26 will be a time for members and community supporters to gather and celebrate, to talk, to envision, to create the future. The day will feature an engaging session on "Building Wealth in Local Communities" led by Jeff Goebel, a veteran facilitator in consensus-building and an expert in human development, followed by a locally-grown food feast, friendly conversation, a silent auction, live music, and dancing into the evening.

"Imagine walking into a store lined with the valley’s freshest produce, flowers, eggs, locally grown and processed beef, and locally canned goods. Local artisan soap and honey is for sale under local artists’ paintings hung on the walls. A brightly decorated board advertises your neighbors’ childcare, graphic design, and plumbing services. Driving through the valley, you notice that the fields appear different. Varied crops. Movement and color. A school bus unloads children eager to learn how grass-fed cattle are raised, how biodiesel is made, how they can become farmers. You pass an occasional windmill sweeping energy from the air. Volunteers, young and old alike, college students some, arrange for music and dancing amid cooking demonstrations at the Farmer’s Market, which is also the weekly pick-up point for food bank clients. Our elected officials and local electric cooperative invest in local ideas and energy to cultivate the family-wage jobs that will employ our children. Our local businesses thrive..."

That's what organizer Colin Mathewson imagined back in 2005, writing for The Furrow.

What's your vision for the future? What does your community need to thrive and prosper? How can we work together to create a program for changing the things that keep our towns struggling?

Oregon Rural Action's Eighth Annual Gathering

"Building Wealth in Local Communities: A Program for Change" is the theme of Oregon Rural Action's Annual Gathering on Saturday, September 26. The event will be a time for members and community supporters to gather and celebrate, to talk, to envision, to create the future. The day will kick off at 2 pm with an engaging session on "Building Wealth in Local Communities" led by Jeff Goebel, a veteran facilitator in consensus-building and an expert in human development. At 6 pm, this will be followed by a locally-grown food feast, friendly conversation, a silent auction, live music, and dancing into the evening.

There is no cost for participation in the interactive session from 2-6 pm but we would like to know if you plan on attending. The delicious local food feast and dancing is $20 for members, $25 for non-members, $10 for students. Children under 12 are free! Attendance to all of the day's events is not required. Free, fun and educational childcare is also available for those who indicate a need for it.

Location: Riveria Activity Center, 2609 2nd Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850. View a map of this location.

Register online now or download a mailable form in PDF or Word. It is preferred that you register by Friday, September 18 so that we can coordinate the number of meals.

About the Program:

Last year, Oregon Rural Action hosted renowned farmer and author Joel Salatin who engaged participants in considering the opportunities and challenges for "Building a Food System that Works." This year, participants will build on those ideas and take part in envisioning a sustainable future for our communities, ultimately developing the practical solutions for achieving that vision.

Jeff Goebel will lead a community-based process that promote sustainability by identifying local resources, engaging local initiative and talent, and designing a locally endorsed and sponsored vision of community quality of life, all while emphasizing the triple bottom line: people, profit, and planet. This process will help Oregon Rural Action refine its skills in creating strategic, holistic decisions in order to be more effective in its work to create sustainable communities.

About the Food:

The event's food will be locally sourced and catered by Chef Merlyn Baker of Foley Station in La Grande, with items specially chosen for their sustainability as well as their delectability. Placards will be on hand to offer information on where the food came from and the stories of the farmers who grew it.

About the Music:

The Larry Robb Band of Baker City will be supplying the music for dancing in the evening. They are described as a high energy quartet playing everything from straight classic honky-tonk for Texas two-stepping to ripping, Rockabilly scorchers. Visit their website to learn more: thelarryrobbband.com. You can also hear their cover version of a classic Johnny Cash tune here.

Transportation:

Oregon Rural Action will be coordinating carpool transportation for those who indicate an interest or need for it. Please let us know if you would be interested, especially if your attendance depends on it. (A checkbox is available on both the online and mailable registration forms.)

Childcare:

Free, fun and educational childcare will be available for those who indicate they would like it for their children. (Check the box on the registration form and indicate how many children will need care.)

Lodging:

Home Stay: A number of Blue Mountain Chapter members have offered home stay accommodations for out-of-towners. Let us know on the registration form if you are interested.
Participating Motel: Rodeway Inn of La Grande is offering 25% off its internet rates when you mention "Oregon Rural Action" upon reserving a room. The Rodeway Inn is also generously giving away one free room to an Annual Meeting attendee! If you plan to stay at the Rodeway, please check the box on the registration form and a drawing will be held on Friday, September 18 to announce the winner.
Others: A list of other accommodations can be found here.

Silent Auction:

About two dozen items have been graciously donated by members and community supporters. They will be on-hand for bidding at the Annual Gathering. We are, however, starting things off right now by opening up bidding on one of the items, a weekend at a Moose Lake cabin in southwestern Montana. Read more and make a bid >>

Volunteer Opportunities:

Volunteers will make this gathering a success. Please let us know if you would like to lend a hand.

Schedule for Saturday, September 26

2:00-6:00 - "Building Wealth in Local Communities" led Jeff Goebel (including short breaks and refreshments)
6:00-7:00 - Social hour -- refreshments, mingling, learning about other great organizations, bidding on silent auction items, greeting led by Andrea Malmberg, Executive Director of ORA and Ramon Lara, Board Chair of ORA
7:00-10:00 - Dinner and dancing to live music by the Larry Robb Band

Register online now or download a mailable form in either PDF or Word. It is preferred that you register by Friday, September 18 so that we can coordinate the number of meals.

For more information, please email info@oregonrural.org or call the office at 541-975-2411.

We hope you'll join us for what will be an exciting, meaningful and worthwhile experience. Together we can make our towns into thriving, livable communities. Oregon Rural Action's own vision statement hints at the realm of the possible: "We envision the responsible and sustainable use of our natural resources and agricultural lands, a region of social livability and equality, thriving and diverse local economies, and opportunity for present and future generations."