ALF Oregon Event Highlights

ALF Senior Fellow Events

Class 25 Welcome Reception (July 15, 2010)

Senior Fellows, guests and friends gathered Thursday, July 15^th at the Regence Woolworth Building to welcome the newest class members of the American Leadership Forum of Oregon Fellows program.  Those in attendance were treated to a delicious buffet, ice cold soda and a no-host bar selling beer and wine.  The atmosphere was casual and relaxed with much conversation.  The highlight of the evening was the ALF Class slideshow that featured a group photo from the “mountain” of every class – I to XXIII!

Mike Alexander, Class 22 and Peggy Maguire, Class 24 (both with the Regence Group) were the designated “hosts” of the event.  Joe Gallegos, Class 17 and Board Chair, offered recollections of his experience as an ALF Fellow and officially welcomed Class 25 members to the organization.   Patricia Martinez-Orozco, Class 19 and Selection Committee Member, had the honor of introducing the newest class members.

The reception was generously sponsored by The Regence Group.

MAXIMIZE Workshop (July 15, 2010)

A group of ALF Senior Fellows and guests joined Greg Ranstrom, ALF Class 25 Program Manager, for an afternoon workshop in downtown Portland on Thursday, July 15th.  Greg describes the workshop as "a hands-on, collaborative experience.  Participants don’t just sit in seats. It's engaging and fast-paced. The action is followed by focused learning conversations to translate the lessons to real-life."

Anne Gill (Class 23) summarized the experience by saying "I really enjoyed the MAXIMIZE workshop because it was experiential.  We were outside, walking, exploring Portland's Waterfront blocks on an absolutely stunning day"

Here are some additional thoughts from Vickie Chamberlain (Class 18 and Program Committee Chair) -- The senior-fellow workshop "MAXIMIZE" was well-attended and much appreciated. The focus of the exercise was to test your collaboration skills, your ability to analyze information under-stress, to work quickly with other leaders all for the good of the group.  Over thirteen people participated in the well-organized event on a beautiful sunny Portland afternoon.  We had a treasure hunt of sorts that resulted in benefits to the whole group. Later, while debriefing, we shared perspectives with each other in both a large and small group setting.

 For the nominal price, it was a great exercise, a good refresher and a reminder of how our ALF skills contribute to wonderful experiences even when we come together with "stranger" senior fellows.  The two hours devoted to the exercise went quickly and delightfully. I encourage anyone who is hesitating to "skip" work for a few hours to consider the upside benefit of rejuvenation and reacquaintance with some solid ALF experiences.