Dec 5, 2024 | AOC News, Events, News
Over 600 county officials, agency leaders, partners, and exhibitors converged at the 2024 AOC Annual Conference held Nov. 19-22, in Eugene, Oregon. This three-day event focused on networking, learning, and building relationships to better serve Oregon’s communities.
Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell, the outgoing AOC president, emphasized the importance of collaboration and engagement. “The conference reflected the work of the association this year,” said Bethell, “where we showed up, worked out our differences, and came together to advocate for all counties.”
Bethell passed the torch to Umatilla County Commissioner John Shafer, who will lead the organization in 2025. Other newly elected officers include First Vice President Erin Skaar (Tillamook), Second Vice President Joe Dabulskis (Sherman), and Treasurer James Williams (Lake). Bethell was installed as Immediate Past President.
Both general sessions focused on navigating our differences. Keynote speaker Tareq Azim challenged the audience to embrace fear and shared tools to encourage them to create spaces to address uncomfortable topics. Kit Chalberg, Senior Director, Programs for Convergence, led an interactive session on how to bridge divides in our organizations and communities.
A special orientation was held for newly elected commissioners, judges, and chairs. This half-day session provided an opportunity for commissioners-elect to hear tips for a successful first year in office from the AOC Executive Committee and the Oregon Government Ethics Commission. All newly elected commissioners are invited to attend AOC’s County College, which begins in January.
Educational sessions addressed critical issues facing Oregon’s counties, including transportation funding, rural housing, wildfire mitigation, and land use policy. Key themes included the need for sustainable funding, innovative partnerships, and data-driven approaches to address these challenges.
Governor Tina Kotek joined the conference to express her gratitude to county leaders for working tirelessly to lift up their communities. She emphasized the importance of a strong partnership between the state and counties, highlighting shared values and a commitment to collaborative problem-solving.
The conference also featured a lunch session with Western Interstate Region (WIR) President Wes McCart, an update from the Oregon Public Utility Commission, and numerous networking opportunities, including an agency partner meet and greet and meetings with federal delegation staff.
The conference concluded with “Wander Oregon,” a product tasting that showcased the diverse offerings of Oregon’s counties. Attendees sampled an array of local delights, including cheese and charcuterie, pastries and pies, handcrafted chocolates, local honey and lavender, craft beers and wine, and authentic fry bread.
Executive Director Gina Nikkel reflected on the conference, stating, “This invaluable time together allowed us to strengthen connections, identify shared goals, and collaboratively work toward solutions that benefit our communities. We look forward to working with President Shafer and all our members next year to continue supporting counties and their communities.”
Contributed by: Erin Good | Communications Coordinator
Dec 7, 2023 | AOC News
“Get work done,” was Klamath County Commissioner DeGroot’s objective as AOC president this year.
AOC’s commitment to achieving results and addressing county issues was apparent at the 118th AOC Annual Conference as commissioners, judges, county staff, and agency leaders from around the state came to Lane County for three days of networking, learning, and building relationships to solve county issues.
“The conference reflected the work of the association this year,” said DeGroot, “where we refined processes that put us on a path to find common ground and work out our differences to move the association together.”
Over 500 attendees registered for some part of the conference, held Nov. 11-14, at the Graduate Eugene. Presenters discussed finding solutions to problems affecting Oregon counties, rural and urban, large and small. Session topics ranged from preventing wildfires and cyberattacks to addressing the opioid crisis and homelessness.
The event included a preconference for first-year commissioners, judges, and chairs who participated in the 2023 County College program. The half-day session provided an opportunity for reflection on their first year in office and to hear from educational speakers on public meeting laws, partner engagement, and RFP best practices.
Acknowledging differences and how they can strengthen relationships was also the focus of both general sessions. Oregon State Representatives Mark Owens (R-Crane) and Ken Helm (D-Beaverton) discussed how they have found success working across the aisle and together with local governments to craft and pass complex, meaningful legislation on issues that impact all of Oregon.
Brian Miller, a magician turned motivational speaker, provided a unique and engaging experience for attendees during the general session. By incorporating magic tricks, Miller emphasized the importance of perspective-taking and making connections.
Lincoln County Commissioner Casey Miller thought the conference was a great opportunity to challenge his assumptions and learn from others. “I feel like AOC is really nailing it with articulate legislative and steering policy principles,” he said. “Finding our unity amidst our diversity with a collaborative mindset is how I also want to approach governance at home.”
A new addition to the conference was a celebration of AOC’s partner program. The program has grown exponentially in the last few years, with over 60 partners joining the partner program this year. To recognize the program’s success, a membership committee and partner appreciation dinner was held during the conference as a celebration of counties and the partners that support local government in successfully serving their communities.
The last full day of conference concluded with officer elections and the county product tasting. The 2024 AOC Executive Officers who were installed during the annual business meeting are President Danielle Bethell (Marion), First Vice President John Shafer (Umatilla), Second Vice President Erin Skaar (Tillamook), Treasurer James Williams (Lake), and Immediate Past President Derrick DeGroot (Klamath).
The must-attend event was again the county product tasting, where twenty-three counties showcased unique products representative of local agriculture and businesses. Attendees enjoyed sampling seafood from Lincoln County, fry bread and salmon from Jefferson County, ice cream from Wasco County, and much more.
The annual conference also included remarks from Governor Tina Kotek, a virtual Q&A with Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, and ample networking opportunities, including an agency partner meet and greet and meetings with federal delegation staff.
“This time together provided us with an opportunity to connect with each other, talk through potential disagreements, find out where we are aligned, and really try to problem solve on behalf of our communities,” said Executive Director Gina Nikkel. “We look forward to working with President Bethell and all our members next year to support counties and their communities.”
Contributed by: Erin Good | Communications Coordinator
Oct 27, 2023 | Events
Online registration closes Monday, Oct. 30, for AOC’s Annual Conference, held in Lane County, Nov. 14-16. The annual conference draws together a cross section of elected officials, county staff, partners, and other participants for educational opportunities, leadership development, and networking. Attendees from rural and urban counties, large and small, participate in the three-day event aimed at improving residents’ lives and the efficiency of county government.
AOC President and Klamath County Commissioner Derrick DeGroot played an integral part in developing this year’s educational programming and finding ways to unite county officials and connect throughout the event. “My focus as AOC president during the 2023 legislative session was to improve the status of counties in the state capitol,” said DeGroot. “Spending six months in Salem reaffirmed my belief that building meaningful relationships is critical to strengthening the state-county partnership and achieving policy solutions that result in efficient and effective delivery of services to the public.”
Concurrent sessions will cover topics ranging from preventing wildfires and cyberattacks to exploring solutions for homelessness, the opioid epidemic, and the mental health crisis.
Also during the conference, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Wyden and Merkley will both step off of the Senate floor for a “couch session” live from Washington D.C., and Brian Miller, a magician turned international speaker on human connection, perspectives, and understanding, will talk on “Connecting with Purpose: How to Magically Connect with Anyone.”
“AOC’s Annual Conference has continued to provide education and networking opportunities for counties for over a century,” commented AOC Executive Director Gina Firman Nikkel, Ph.D. “This unique gathering offers commissioners, judges, chairs, county staff, and partners across the state to come together and explore innovative solutions to county issues, learn from their peers, and develop key relationships. I look forward to this year’s programming lineup which will focus on preventing and solving the top issues that impact counties.”
Online registration closes Monday, Oct. 30.
Please register before Oct. 30, to secure the reduced rate. After Oct. 30, prices will go up, and registration will have to be done on site. Find registration fees and more information on AOC’s conference webpage.
Contributed by: Erin Good | Communications Coordinator
