Panelists:
Zavier Borja, Vámonos Outside and Bend Parks and Recreation Board Member, City of Bend Community Engagement Manager
Dawn Holland, Founder and Executive Director of DAWNS House
Jasmine Wilder, Managing Director at Honeybeast Digital, Chair of the City of Bend Human Rights and Equity Commission, Everychild Central Oregon Board Member, and the Kor Community Land Trust Board Member

Moderator:
Zak Boone, Chief Advancement Officer & Foundation Executive Director-Central Oregon Community College

In a time when the loudest voice or the most explosive statement often grabs attention, there are hundreds of volunteer leaders in our community working to create visions and policies that impact our future. The speakers at our November forum are examples of this hard work. Each approaches involvement from different paths and are inspiring others to engage. Jasmine discussed how opening her own business demonstrated the importance of involvement. Zavi saw the need to bring the skills he was learning back to Central Oregon. And Dawn told the powerful story of turning her lived experience into a non-profit.

Each also discussed how they deal with frustration and turn it into action (click for comments from Zavi, Dawn and Jasmine). These are lessons for all of us dealing with frustration and seeking to make a difference.
Examples of how to get involved to impact change locally:

Serve on a non-profit board or committee
Serve on a city or county committee
Help identify those that should be at the table and engage them
Thank our community volunteers

For example, the City of Redmond is currently seeking a city councilor to replace a resigning member and there are over 20 openings on committees like the Housing and Community Development Committee. During her comments, Dawn asked for members of our community that want to work on homelessness and addiction to join her board. Consider this an invitation to become a part of your community’s future. A full list of civic opportunities is below in the resources section along with a link to Volunteer Central Oregon. As Zavi put it: “If not me then who and if not now then when?”