When we live on a round planet I don’t think we can afford to choose sides. Most would probably agree with me that our world has become more polarized than ever before. When we are polarized is it almost impossible to see the merits of the “other side” and the “other side” always has some virtues. Today’s political climate is a perfect example. Most of the grid lock we find in Congress is because politicians rarely sit down and just have a respectful conversation. Unfortunately this can also be experienced on a local level with different business, political and public sector organizations. I have always thought that it is easier to have an aversion to someone from afar, while it is hard to have those same feelings when you are sitting across the table from that same person having a cup of coffee.
I believe being against something only weakens us and being for something empowers us. Rather than be against terrorism we can shift our thoughts to being for peace and cooperation. Rather than waging a war on drugs maybe it would be more effective to focus on a drug-free America.
The City Club of Central Oregon was formed in 2007 to help break down barriers with the notion that conversation creates community. When one moves to Central Oregon many must think each family is issued a Subaru Outback, Black Lab and flip flops from the Chamber. Maybe we should also be urged to give back? If there is one common denominator among the City Club’s membership it’s that members are motivated to improve our Central Oregon community. We live in such an amazing place that it deserves to be created by design rather than by default and I feel we have a deep responsibility to participate in civic organizations that make a difference in our community. The City Club is certainly one of those entities. It is the place to have the conversation and discuss important international, national, statewide and local issues that affect us all and yet do so in a spirit of respect for open dialogue and opinions that may be very different from our own. It is ok to agree to disagree.
City Club aspires to accomplish this by hosting monthly non-partisan forums with speakers who inspire respectful, productive dialogue and offer diverse perspectives to encourage positive change in Central Oregon. They are held over a warm lunch at the St Charles Auditorium on the third Thursday of each month from 11:30am-1pm.
Since its start, the City Club has brought our community together in more than 100 forums, dialogs and debates to explore the most critical topics relating to the region. Membership is open to every community member and has been expanding significantly. As a sound financial organization, City Club brought their valued executive Director, Joey Drucker from a part time to a full time position in July. Bend Broadband televises the live forums on COTV.
We have volunteer based membership, marketing and program committees that play an instrumental role in ensuring that each forum is the best it can be. Please keep in mind that we are not called the City Blub of Bend. As the City Club of Central Oregon we attract members from all over the tri county area.
Speakers are asked to share their viewpoints on timely and important policy issues so that our members may learn and, in the process, become informed and involved community citizens. Questions from the membership play an integral part in each forum’s design. Some of our recent forums have included: Our next forum is scheduled for Thursday, September 18th. The topic will be A Values-Based Introduction to the proposed UGB Expansion. Our October 16th topic is The Marijuana Ballot Initiative Conversation: Why You Might Choose to Vote YES; Why You Might Choose to Vote NO.
Communication is a miracle but when used effectively it can move mountains. To learn more about the City Club of Central Oregon, please visit cityclubco.org or find us on Facebook and Twitter.
David Rosell is a founding member and Past President of the City Club of Central Oregon. He is President of Rosell Wealth Management in Bend and the author of Failure is Not an Option- Creating Certainty in the Uncertainty of Retirement.
