Annual Gathering May 30

Putting the People in Planning
Thursday May 30, 2019, 5:00-7:00 PM
Columbia Center for the Arts, 211 Cascade Avenue, Hood River

Please join us for our 42nd Annual Gathering. We’ll have a great line up of speakers plus appetizers from Boda’s Kitchen and plenty of time to enjoy the good company of folks like you.

5:00–5:30: Informal Social with Appetizers and No Host Bar

5:30–6:30: Presentations and Speakers

SPEAKERS:

Do I Want That Torch?: Reflections on Building a Bigger Tent and Broader Vision for Oregon’s Land Use Program. Sam Diaz, Director of Community Engagement, 1000 Friends of Oregon

Q & A with Paul Blackburn and Mike Oates, Mayor of Hood River and Hood River County Commission Chair

Our Year in Review, Heather Staten, Executive Director, Thrive

Our Keynote Speaker: Sam Diaz
Our Keynote Speaker Sam Diaz (at left)

Sam Diaz serves as Director of Community Engagement at 1000 Friends of Oregon, a statewide nonprofit organization that defends and improves Oregon’s land use planning program. He coordinates the Portland for Everyone coalition, manages the 2019 Land Use Leadership Initiative in the greater Portland area, and helps broaden and diversify 1000 Friends’ partner organizations and members.

Born and raised in Northern California, Sam grew up facing environmental and environmental justice issues, motivating him to work with community members, government agencies, and elected officials to create durable solutions. Prior to joining 1000 Friends, he developed, managed, and implemented policies, rule-makings, and grant programs in California Governor Jerry Brown Jr.’s administration and for a conservation philanthropy serving the American West. He holds a BA in Geography, Sociology, and Anthropology from Colgate University and a JD with a Certificate in Environmental and Energy Law and Natural Resource Management from Lewis & Clark Law School.


Questions? Contact Heather Staten at heather@thrivehoodriver.org or (541) 490-5225