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Rural Oregon Day 2009 strengthens advocacy at state Capitol

By Chris Marko, RCAC rural development specialist – environmental and Sharon Wills, RCAC public affairs specialist

Rural Oregon Day participants
gather at the Oregon state Capitol in Salem

More than 100 state residents attended this year’s Rural Oregon Day, which included a march to the state Capitol. Following the theme, “Solutions for the Economy of Rural Oregon,” rural community residents and advocates met to discuss the state’s economic challenges and propose solutions to effect policy.

Within the last two years, state programs, such as the Regional Investment Program (which offered valuable rural economic development project resources) and the Governor’s Office of Rural Policy (which helped elevate rural Oregon needs in a central office) were discontinued. Losing these resources, and others like them, has made it difficult for rural communities to respond to the economic crisis.

In light of these challenging times, the event rekindled rural Oregon’s spirit. Presenters provided information on Oregon’s rural issues, such as policy initiatives, economic recovery program funding and resources, and solution roundtables were held.

“Rural Oregon Day is a gathering of minds to share how communities are facing challenges,” said Mayor Dennis Ross, Maupin, Oregon.

Economic trends

Oregon state economist Tom Potiowski presented an excellent overview of the state’s current economic landscape, particularly rural Oregon. He noted that many Oregon rural communities are experiencing more than 15 percent unemployment while the rest of the state is catching up. Potiowski’s presentation created a context for dialogue on topics, such as economic diversification and employment opportunities that were addressed during roundtable discussions.

Rural solution roundtables

Roundtable discussions focused on rural community challenges, including business retention and development, tourism, health care, affordable housing and rural program funding. Some solutions included more coordination with local planning and services, rural community economic recovery and rural program funding.

“The best part of Rural Oregon Day is the networking with folks who are working on behalf of rural Oregon,” Ross said. “This year we learned about real community examples of how to develop local assets into business opportunities,” he added.

The participants shared these solutions with their Legislators during visits to the Capitol that afternoon.

Rural advocacy refresher

Norm Smith, The Ford Family Foundation president, offered an advocacy refresher course. The participants learned how to develop relationships with legislators, create and convey key messages and conduct effective legislative visits. He urged participants not to be intimidated by speaking with a legislator. “Legislators are very interested in hearing about community issues from residents,” he said. “That is their job and the responsibility of their staff.”

Legislative visits

“Rural Oregon Day is a good example of using high profile days at the Capitol to organize groups of people to voice their issues,” said Megan Smith, Oregon Rural Development Council (ORDC) co-chair and event organizer. Conference participants walked to the Capitol for prescheduled visits with state representatives and senators. Feedback from the visits indicated that it was important for Legislators to hear about rural needs and issues given the amount of activity with budget cuts and the state of the economy.

Rural policy initiatives

Steve Grasty, Harney County Commissioner, gave an update on Oregon Rural Congress, which is a grass-roots statewide effort to keep rural policy initiatives moving forward. Oregon Rural Congress members met to strengthen partnerships and form alliances around rural advocacy. Dan Bates from Portland, talked about the city’s Rural Partnership initiative, which involves outreach and better coordination between Oregon’s largest city and rural Oregon.

Economic recovery resources

Chris Marko, RCAC rural development specialist and ORDC co-chair and Kris Latimer, Oregon Workforce Alliance chief executive officer and ORDC member, presented information on state and federal funding under the economic recovery programs. U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden worked together to produce a guide on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which their staff highlighted at the conference.

Another successful day

This year the event was organized by the Rural Oregon Day Planning Group whose members include staff from ORDC, RCAC, University of Oregon Resource Assistance for Rural Environments, Rural Development Initiatives (RDI), Oregon Consortium and Workforce Alliance, and Oregon Micro Enterprise Network. RDI's “Regards to Rural Conference” in Salem dovetailed with Rural Oregon Day, which helped participation and the success of both events.

Thank you – event sponsors, The Ford Family Foundation, Oregon Consortium and Workforce Alliance and Wells Fargo Bank. Also thank you – speakers, presenters and participants. Your continued support has increased the capacity of organizations, leadership and advocacy, and strengthened partnerships among groups. You made this year’s Rural Oregon Day a tremendous success.

Perseverance, dedication and the ability to overcome adversity for a better future has made Oregon the great state it is today. Rural Oregon is and always will be, about the people. EVERY day is rural Oregon day!

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