Big Deal
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Well, I’ve gone and done it. Since July, I have been keeping a secret from my readers, but the official press release is out so now I can share the news with all of you. I have been accepted into a program that will run through the next six months. It will give me opportunities that I usually don’t get to experience first hand, and I will be traveling hither and yon around Oregon to the on-site classes. You are probably wondering what in the dickens I am talking about.
The program is called REALOregon (Resource Education and Agricultural Leadership Program). I had to apply to get a chance to get accepted. The amount of paperwork required surprised me, I don’t think I have ever filled out that many forms in my whole life combined. I had to have two letters of recommendation, three people that would vouch for my character, an essay stating why I would be a good candidate for the program and my entire life history.
That last part really scared me because sometimes it is hard to remember what I did yesterday much less for the last 60 plus years…anyway let me share some of the cool snippets from the official press release.
Salem, OR – REAL Oregon (Resource Education & Ag Leadership) will launch its third leadership cohort in November. Following the successful graduation of Class 1 and 2, the organization proudly announces the selection of 30 new natural resource professionals from throughout the state for Class 3. Participants were selected from a pool of well-qualified applicants and reflect a balanced mix of resource producers, foresters, agribusiness representatives, higher education professionals, non-profit organizations, and government agencies.
Bill Buhrig, of Simplot Food Group and Board Chair for REAL Oregon says that having success in the first two years of the program helped with recruitment for Class 3. “We had a great response to the program this year. The quality and diversity of applicants was outstanding and touched all corners of the state.”
REAL Oregon is modeled after similar programs in surrounding states and other parts of the country. “This is a proven model and we know this can work and be sustainable in Oregon,” said Buhrig.
REAL Oregon is a collaboration of industry and other groups throughout the state that have recognized the importance of developing and supporting leaders within Oregon’s natural resource communities. In addition to networking opportunities and learning more about the diversity of Oregon, the program brings current and future leaders together from agriculture, fishing, and forestry for a series of five sessions based in different regions of the state. The annual leadership program exposes this cross-section of professionals to the wide range of Oregon’s geography, economy, and culture through training in board governance, communication skills, conflict resolution, government interaction, public policy work, critical thinking, media relations, professional presentations, public speaking, relationship building, and other areas.
The classes will be held 2 or 3 days at a time at locations throughout the state with the first one being in Klamath Falls the first week of November. We will be having conference calls, classroom time and tours during our lessons. I will be documenting my participation in the program for you my dear followers, and I also have had requests for news articles as I go through the steps.
The first conference call is coming up so stay tuned for a virtual ride along with my adventures.