Pop Up Mixer

 You’re invited to an informal gathering of City Club members and friends!  Reserve your spot today and come network, enjoy spirits, appetizers and great conversation. 

Register Now! 

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Conversation of the Year finalists

This year’s three finalists, in no particular order, are as follows:

Rethinking Government:  Bend Charter Review

Should Bend have a salaried mayor or city Council?  Should city councilors be elected citywide or from geographic “wards”?  Should Bend’s mayor be elected by popular vote of the people?  These questions, and more, were posed to the community at a series of listening sessions coordinated by a coalition comprised of Bend 2030, the Bend Chamber of Commerce, and the City Club of Central Oregon.  The partnership sparked conversation and then action by voters who amended the city’s charter and, ultimately, elected their first mayor by popular vote in over 90 years.

 Redmond Urban Planning:  

Too often we conflate “public conversation” with “public speaking.”  Some of the best public conversations, however, involve more public listening and action than they do speaking.  Such is the case with the past decade of Redmond’s efforts to improve the livability and viability of its urban core.  By listening to its citizens and converting that conversation into action, Redmond has twice expanded its urban growth boundary without litigation.  It reclaimed its historic downtown after the construction of the Highway 97 bypass.  It created downtown recreational opportunities with a new ice rink and skate park.  And it instilled a respect for history by creating a new city hall from the old bones of the Evergreen School.  In Redmond, public conversation is encouraged as a means to prevent, not just solve, controversy.

 Workforce Planning in Education:  

Great public conversations empower folks with different goals to collaborate and find common ground.  Such was the case when Central Oregon’s business and education communities teamed up, on behalf of the entire region, to prepare students and workers for careers as skilled workers with local business and industry.  The coalition, which is comprised of educators (each school district throughout the tri-county region, OSU, COCC), business interests (Chambers of Commerce, EDCO, St. Charles, and over 100 other private and public participants, takes a data-driven approach to improving graduation rates, expanding the CareerConnect system, creating internship opportunities, advocating for racial equity, and providing a healthy start for children from the crib to age eight.

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* * IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ * *

In an effort to improve your experience at your City Club events, please review the following:

• Online credit card payment:  When you receive an event email, simply click on the REGISTER HERE button. Once you’ve entered your contact information, you have the option to pay online via credit card.
• Check by mail: If you select the “pay by check” option during the online registration process, we will be alerted to check our mailbox. We need your checks by the Friday before the mixer.
• Credit card by phone:  You may also call us to finalize your registration and pay by credit card.  Your credit card information will be taken over the phone and you will receive an email confirmation of payment.

• Although you have registered and pre-paid online, please remember to check in at the registration table to receive your name tag.

• Refunds may be issued for cancellations if made 48 hours prior to the event.  Cancellations less than 48 hours are non-refundable.

• If you have already registered, but are no longer able to attend, you may send someone in your place. We would appreciate you letting us know the name of the alternate person 48 hours prior to the forum so we can update our registration list and have the correct name tag waiting.

• Thank you for your support of City Club - we will see you at the mixer!