By Patty Lieuallen, Central Oregon Leadership Council

The Oregon Community Foundation’s Statewide Leaders Gathering held in Bend in late September was both inspiring and sobering. 

Both Duncan Wyse, OCF board member and president of the Oregon Business Council, and Vickie Fleming, former superintendent of Redmond School District, presented facts and current practices that have negatively impacted our economy and educational system. It was quite sobering. The upside was that both also spoke to the possibilities of improvement. By thinking outside of the box and partnering with the community at large we can do something to turn things around. That’s where we came into the mix.

Working in small groups, the gathering participants identified what is currently being done in our communities, what resources we have, and what we felt OCF could do to continue to help with education and improve the job market and economy in all regions of the state. 

As a first time attendee at this gathering, I was impressed by the amount and depth of volunteer talent we have in the state of Oregon. Ideas were flying as we worked in our small groups. The OCF Board and staff really listened to our ideas and concerns. I felt our input would be taken into consideration as OCF defines the role it will play in improving jobs and the economy in our state.

Brief reports from the groups being funded through the Regional Action Initiative (RAI) were given. It was encouraging to see what can be done to address needs when people care and are provided with the resources to act.

The leadership gathering was a well-run event held in a beautiful setting. It was a great opportunity for me to meet OCF members from all over the state and become inspired by their ideas and enthusiasm.