Letter: County Commissioner Tony DeBone delivers real results;

Letter: County Commissioner Tony DeBone delivers real results;

Transforming Our Anti-Social Sector

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Past discussions in our community have been ongoing and passionate about the social sectors. While commitment and hard work run deep, are we seeing continuous improvement? 

We must ask ourselves “Once we see continuous improvement of a social issue, will new doors be opened in our future?” I firmly believe they will. However, this will require a paradigm shift.

Interested? Please read the entire article below.

--Kathy

Transforming Our Anti-Social Sector

Our sector’s trajectory does not point to a pivotal future role in solving social problems—what might a new paradigm look like, and could we ever get there?

by Tris Lumley

"That the nonprofit sector has changed hugely in recent years is beyond dispute. It has grown, become increasingly professionalized, and over the last decade started coming to grips with planning and measuring its impact. Yet these are incremental changes, and I believe that the sector’s trajectory does not point to a pivotal future role in solving social problems and delivering social justice."

Read more...

http://www.ssireview.org/blog/entry/transforming_our_anti_social_sector

Newberry Country Economic Vitality Summit

Newberry Country Economic Vitality Summit

The Newberry Country Economic Vitality Summit, held in La Pine, Oregon, on November 8, drew a crowd of 100 attendees who were eager to learn about ways to make their communities vital. The summit was presented by the Ford Institute for Community Building and RDI, and local organizers included Kathryn DeBone, Commissioner Tony DeBone, and Dan Varcoe. 

Prior to the conference, organizers surveyed the community, and based on the results, the topic chosen for the summit was “Discovering an Economic Strategy to assist existing businesses to thrive and grow.”

Read more...

SCORE is a volunteer, nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small businesses start, grow, and succeed

"SCORE is a volunteer, nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small businesses start, grow, and succeed nationwide.  SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and has been mentoring small business owners for more than forty years.

The Central Oregon SCORE chapter, with eight counselors on staff, provides small business entrepreneurs free and confidential business counseling services throughout the Central Oregon area. Our volunteers have the knowledge and experience to help any small business owner get the help they need.  We also provide resources, templates and tools to assist entrepreneurs in developing tools and plans they need to navigate their way to small business success.

The Central Oregon SCORE chapter also provides free small business counseling at the Bend Library every Tuesday evening, and at the Redmond Library the first and third Monday afternoons of the month. Online workshops are available 24/7. "

http://centraloregon.score.org/node/145905

Forming a Regional Food System Organization – Council or Coalition?

Forming a Regional Food System Organization – Council or Coalition?

FEAST workshops

Encouraging community, savoring results 

February 5, 2014, 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. PST

Click here for more information on upcoming webinars.

"When a community comes together to discuss how it can build a healthier, more sustainable food system, amazing things happen. Relationships with local growers flourish. Backyard gardens and new farmers markets sprout. And neighbors learn that, by working together, they can create a stronger local food system that takes advantage of the resources within their community".

Surviving a Slow Recovery—Three Business Strategies

Check out this great article in the Cascade Business News 

"Surviving a Slow Recovery—Three Business Strategies"

http://www.cascadebusnews.com/news-pages/e-headlines/4857-surviving-a-slow-recoverythree-business-strategies

Pictured: BRAND NEW BUSINESS IN LA PINE ! Advantage Dental Clinic located on Wm. Foss Road.