2023 OCCMA Summer Conference

2pm -

4pm

Legislative Update - Presentation

Speakers:

• Jim McCauley, LOC Legislative Director
• Ariel Nelson, LOC Lobbyist
• Michael Martin, LOC Lobbyist
• Lindsay Tenes, LOC Lobbyist

9am-

10:15am

Bridging the Gap to a High-Performing Organization - Susan Colantuono: The career advice you probably didn't get | TED Talk

Speakers:

• Julia Hajduk, Stayton City Manager
• Alexandra Rains, Scappoose City Manager
• Chris Bailey, Albany Public Works Director
• Rachael Fuller, Washington County Assistant County Administrator
• Simone Brooks, Hillsboro Assistant City Manager

We know that communities are better served when the demographics of the local government workforce reflects the community it serves. Abundant research has demonstrated that more diversity on workplace teams yields greater creativity, efficiency, and performance. Yet women still make up only 20% of City/County Managers, despite being 50% of the population. It takes commitment from all of us to break down barriers and improve our workforces and our communities. Join the Northwest Women’s Leadership Academy to hear what works and where there are still challenges to advancing women in the workplace. Come ready to identify one thing you will do to do your part to strengthen your organization and community!

10:30am-

11:45am

CTUIR 101 - Presentation

Speaker:

• Matt Johnson, Tribal Court Director

This session will provide an overview of the rich history of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), and its contemporary government and services. The session will also share the positive impacts CTUIR has in the region as one of Umatilla County’s largest employers, and take a look at the government to government relationships that contribute to successful partnerships.

Keynote

Leading Change: The Opportunities in Uncertainty - Presentation and Handouts

Dr. Gisela Wendling is The Grove's vice-president for global learning and senior consultant. She is the co-author of Visual Consulting: Designing & Leading Change and the soon to be released Liminal Pathways Study researching the efficacy of the Wendling Liminal Pathways Change Framework (LPF). She developed this system to support practitioners and leaders to embrace challenges as transformational opportunities. In her work she focuses on designing outer support structures so that people can do the inner work of changing and to fully integrate these changes into their lives and their organizations. Dr. Wendling draws from a wide range of fields of study and cross-cultural experiences in her organizational and social change work. Her appreciative colleagues refer to her as a visionary anthropological theorist. 

Dr. Wendling's keynote session/workshop will be an opportunity for you to become familiar with the LPF, to apply the framework to a current change challenge and to consider your pathway forward. There will be time for personal reflection and rich interaction with other participants to explore the kinds of challenges you are dealing with. Gisela will also share with us insights she gained from her recent study regarding the dynamics of change that are particularly challenging right now. As we are all emerging from the pervasive impact of the pandemic and related crises understanding and learning how to work with the liminal, in-between spaces is critical.

Creating a Culture of Curiosity and Innovation - Presentation

Speakers:

• Nina Vetter, Gresham City Manager
• Stephanie Betteridge, Bend Assistant City Manager/Chief Innovation Officer

The changing needs and expectations of our communities require that we think differently and innovate.  During this interactive session, we’ll discuss and explore tools to implement an innovation mindset, as well as talk about the important ways that leadership can help build and support a culture of innovation.  

8am-9:15am

Energy Issues Facing the State

Speakers:

• Roger Kline, General Manager of Northern Wasco County PUD - Presentation
• Kurt Miller, NW River Partners - Presentation
• Nina Carlson, Government Affairs, NW Natural - Presentation

The supply of energy is changing dramatically. Northwest grid decarbonization laws will retire all natural gas and coal-fueled power plants in the region by 2045. These sources represent 1/3 of the region’s existing generation. Alternatives like increased reliance on wind, solar and battery storage are being pursued as potential replacements for traditional energy sources, but what does that future look like? This session will give attendees a glimpse into the future challenges they see facing the northwest in meeting the growing energy needs of Oregon communities.

Emerging Issues in Environmental Law for Oregon Municipalities - Presentation

Speakers:

• Mark P. Strandberg, Partner, Ring Bender LLP
• Christine Hein, Managing Partner, Ring Bender LLP

Christine Hein and Mark Strandberg of Ring Bender LLP will discuss emerging issues in environmental and natural resources law that are likely to impact Oregon municipal entities. Topics will include the challenges posed by emerging contaminants such as PFAS, the risks posed by climate change, new federal regulations defining “Waters of the United States”, recent Oregon caselaw affecting municipal water rights, as well as opportunities provided by newly approved federal infrastructure funding.

Ethics and Values Matter: Aligning Your Decisions and Actions in Practice - Presentation

Speakers:

• Jeff Towery, ICMA President and McMinnville City Manager
• Martha Bennett, Lake Oswego City Manager

Values are important to who we are as humans and as ethical leaders. Aligning your decisions and actions with your values represents the embodiment of the ICMA Code of Ethics. The panel will discuss the key values on which the Code of Ethics and the profession are based, identify why meeting the challenge of these values is often difficult, and offer suggestions to assist you in meeting the challenge of putting your values into practice.

The City Manager – Police Chief Relationship: Lessons Learned - Presentation

Speakers:

• Dan Brown, Law Enforcement Risk Management Consultant, CIS
• Dave Nelson, Risk Management & Public Entity Support, WHA Insurance

The City Manager – Police Chief relationship is a crucial component in ensuring community safety is transparent, effective, and fully supported. The symbiotic nature of the Manager – Chief relationship has a direct impact on the safety and well-being of the community.   This presentation will focus on a ‘lessons learned’ viewpoint from presenters who have held the titles of both police chief and city manager. Topics will include: Ensuring effective law enforcement in your community, enhancing public trust, allocating resources, developing policies, responding to crises, and the importance of performance management.     

How Economic Development Works in Oregon - Presentation and Handout

Speaker:

• Jill Miles, Senior Business Recruitment Officer, Business Oregon

Join Jill Miles to learn why economic development is important to local government, how the system of economic development works in Oregon and hear success stories working with Business Oregon.