Leadership Bend, City Club of C.O. partner

The Leadership Bend program and City Club of Central Oregon have taken action to integrate during the course of nine upcoming months as a way to expose acknowledged and aspiring leaders to a broad cross-section of matters of local interest.

Regular participation in the City Club’s monthly luncheon forums is a natural partnership for the two non-profits.

Leadership Bend is offered by the Bend Chamber of Commerce as a community program designed to identify, educate, train and connect willing and committed citizens to leadership roles in our community. After the nine-month program is completed, Leadership Bend alumni become community trustees.

As an organization committed to building a conscious and civic-minded community through dialog, education and research that results in responsible civic engagement, City Club of Central Oregon understands the value of emerging leaders to the proverbial “community table” and its future.

City Club of Central Oregon members are comprised of prominent and influential local leaders in business, government, education, media and interested citizens. Guest speakers include, among others, current and past Governors, US and State Senators, famous authors, international diplomats, former CIA agents and local leaders and decision makers.

This partnership provides Leadership Bend class participants an opportunity to learn from and connect with civic-minded leaders on a more long-term and informal basis. Plus, forum content will drive class dialogue to new heights and increased discovery as to why leadership is so valuable to this region.

“As both a City Club member and Leadership Bend alum, I see the value of this partnership as far- reaching. The City (of Bend) will look to these people for future leadership as well as participation on citizen advisory committees to help shape the city’s vision.” (Eric King, Bend City Manager)

“Leadership Bend was an amazing introduction to the Bend community for me. It educated me on Bend’s history, the issues we face as well as a vision for our future. It is an effective path for anyone interested in leadership. The City Club of Central Oregon is the place to have open dialogue on the controversial and polarizing topics we face today. It is a platform that tolerates respect for opinions that may be different from our own and this is more important than ever before. I am delighted these two wonderful organizations are working together.” (David Rosell, Rosell Wealth Management, Past Chairman of the Bend Chamber, Past President of the City Club of Central Oregon)

More information: http://bendchamber.org/leadership-bend/ and http://cityclubco.org/