Sesquicentennial Planning Well UnderwayAfter meeting formally only three times, the Oregon 150 Board has begun planning in earnest for Oregon’s sesquicentennial birthday in 2009. Under the leadership of President Barbara Sidway of Baker City, we have established committees and focused our remarkably talented Board and Ex Officio directors to make the most of their interests, skills, and resources to plan a sesquicentennial reflecting the Board’s mission to “inspire people across the state to remember, experience, and celebrate Oregon and, together, create a robust and sustainable future”.
In tandem with these efforts and understanding the importance of a partnership with the State of Oregon, the Governor has instructed state agency heads to assign a high-level official to represent it in planning Oregon 150th birthday. Each agency is further instructed to identify opportunities to participate in the sesquicentennial, whether it is through welcoming sesquicentennial projects in grant programs or building on existing programs, such as adding Oregon history to interpretive walks in state parks. Additionally, an Oregon 150 Agency Reps listserv has been created through the State Library to keep abreast of the Boards’ ongoing planning efforts. We’ve been pleased to see such state agencies as the Tourism Commission, the Oregon Cultural Trust, and Oregon Parks and Recreation already stepping up to the plate. Oregon 150’s Board of Director’s meet monthly and the general public is invited to attend in person or view via webstream on their computers. Future meeting logistics, as well as minutes of their meetings can be found on our website: www.oregon150.org on the Board of Director’s page. |