Making the Shift: Annual Meeting 2010

In October, ORA held a wildly successful Annual Meeting with a sold out crowd of over 150 people in attendance. The focus of this year's gathering was "Making the Shift: Building a Vibrant Local Economy Amidst the Broken Global Financial System" and included a keynote by John Fullerton, former managing director of JPMorgan and now founder of Capital Institute, an economic sustainability think tank. Mabel Dobbs, board treasurer and long-time member, was joined by John Smillie, WORC's Campaign Director, to present on the work of Oregon Rural Action and the Western Organization of Resource Councils. 

Later, there was a panel discussion with community entrepreneurial leaders Cory Carman (Carmen Ranches), Joel Rice (owner of White House Coffee in La Grande), and Wynne Auld (of Wallowa Resources), with each sharing their experiences in supporting local economic efforts and addressing audience questions. The evening wrapped up with an energetic contra dance to the Irish folk sounds of local band, the Two by Twos. (Watch a slideshow of photos from the evening below.)

As John Fullerton wrote afterward of his experience at the Annual Meeting, "Although the people of rural Oregon are facing incredible economic challenges, I witnessed an enlightened determination and resilience that one does not see walking down the streets of my affluent town a few miles north of New York City where everyone is plugged into the global economy and financial system. We are sleepwalking down our pristine streets unaware of the seismic structural and systemic changes that lie ahead. Meanwhile the people of rural Oregon are redefining wealth and nurturing their local economies in amazing ways."

A full-length DVD of the presentations and panel discussion is available for a donation of any amount in support of ORA's local economy work. Contact the office at 541-975-2411 or email info@oregonrural.org to get your copy.