The AOC C3 (Connect. Communicate. Collaborate.) Summer Summit at the Bend Riverhouse is in the books and it was not only well attended, it was well received!

A short Central Oregon rain event Sunday evening failed to dampen a reception and bbq dinner at the Des Chutes Historical Museum in Bend. An enhanced menu led to the first C – connections as old friends gathered and new friendships were made.

Des Chutes Historical Museum

Des Chutes Historical Museum

Retired TVF&R Fire Chief Jeff Johnson kicked off the Monday session with a passionate and informative address on servant leadership and the essentials of clear, concise communication with citizens.

Chief Jeff Johnson & AOC President Gary Thompson

From there, we learned about communications planning, lobbying strategies, how the media does its job, what former news people turned county commissioners have learned from the other side, what to say and not to say to a TV news crew, collaboration and problem solving, using social media to our advantage and a look at the new AOC website. It was an action packed, never dull, always interesting day and half. Whew!

AOC’s officers and staff appreciate the attendance of nearly 85 people at the Summer Summit this past week in Deschutes County. We will share more photos later in this edition of Oregon Trails.