PLEASE NOTE: This page will continue to be updated as we get closer to the Caucus, please continue to check here for questions or details.

Frequently Asked Questions by Category:

• Location
• Dates
• Registration Costs and Scholarships
• Childcare
• Housing
• Transportation, Carpools, and Parking
• Event Accessibility
• Language Accessibility and Interpretation
• Health and Safety Precautions
• Volunteering at the Caucus
• Additional Questions

Location 

Where is the caucus being held this year?

The Caucus will be held in Florence, Oregon. We will share the venue address with registrants a week or two before the event.

Dates

When is the caucus, and how many days will it span?

The 2026 Caucus will be the weekend of April 24-26. We will have dinner available Friday (4/24) evening for folks arriving in from out of town, we will meet all day Saturday (4/25), and conclude Sunday (4/26) around lunch time. More details to come on the weekend schedule!

Registration

Register yourself or your group here!

How much does registration cost?

Registration fees help ROP cover the costs of meals, transportation, scholarships, and more to make the Caucus accessible for as many people as possible! We do not want cost to be a limiting factor for any rural Oregonian who is excited to participate – please reach out if we can support you joining us this year with a scholarship!

• Saturday Registration Individual ROP member: $25.00 per person ($20 for early bird registration)
• Saturday Registration Individual Non-Member: $30.00 per person
• Saturday Registration Group of 3 or more: $20.00 per person ($15 per person for early bird registration)

How do I pay Caucus registration fees?

Option 1: Pay securely online when completing the registration.

Option 2: Mail a check to PO Box 664, Cottage Grove, OR 97424.

How do I request a scholarship?

We want to ensure every rural organizer and small-town leader has the opportunity to join the Caucus! Scholarships are available to cover registration fees, travel costs, and wage replacement for rural participants. Preference for scholarships is given to rural organizers traveling more than 100 miles.

What types of scholarships and support does ROP offer?

Registration Scholarship: Covers the cost of your registration fee. 

Mileage Reimbursement: Reimburses you for travel to and from the Caucus at the federal mileage reimbursement rate.

Wage Replacement Stipend: If you have to miss work to attend the Caucus, we can reimburse you for lost wages. We’ll pay up to 8 hours per day and match your hourly rate up to a maximum of $280 per day. If the stipend goes over $600, we will have to pay you as a contractor and have you fill out a W-9 in advance.

Please select that you’re requesting a scholarship when you register, and we will follow up to see how we can support you in joining the Caucus this year!

Please note: Reimbursements will be handled digitally this year and can be processed before or after the Caucus, but not during the weekend itself.

Please note: Registration costs to attend the Caucus have increased only slightly since our first Caucus in the ’90s. We’re working hard to keep registration affordable so that the Caucus is accessible to all volunteer organizers, but we could use your support to cover the true cost! If you are able to chip in more, we greatly appreciate it. An additional $35 will cover the cost for one rural organizer to register for the Caucus using a scholarship. $100 will cover food for two people over Caucus weekend. $300 will help us cover shared childcare for one day of the Caucus.

Childcare

Will childcare be provided?

Yes, childcare will be available at the Caucus to everyone who requests it during registration! 

To ensure we have enough childcare providers, please register and indicate you need childcare by Wednesday, April 8th, or email office@rop.org.

Housing

ROP is working with local community leaders to secure housing options for anyone who needs a place to stay overnight on Friday and/or Saturday night. When you register, please tell us whether you will need housing and what your needs are.

Where can I stay overnight?

If you signed up for a homestay or have any questions about housing options, please email office@rop.org

Details on the recommended hotels, campgrounds, etc will continue to be updated!

HOTELS
Discounted rates are available at River House Inn and Super 8 in Florence. Just call 541) 997-7131 (Super 8) or (541) 997-3933 (River House Inn) and say you are with the Rural Organizing Project, and they will apply the ROP discount to your booking.

River House Inn https://riverhouseflorence.com/
541-997-3933
1202 Bay Street Florence, OR 97439
Discounted rates include:
River View rooms: $169 + Tax per night
King Beds and Double Queens available
Off River rooms: $139 + Tax per night

Super 8 https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/super-8/florence-oregon/super-8-florence-or/overview
(541) 997-7131
170 US-101, Florence, OR 97439
Discounted rooms are $115 + Tax per night
Kings and Double Queens available!

ROP also recommends the Lighthouse Inn, but there are no discounted rooms available.

Lighthouse Inn https://lighthouseinn-florence.com/
(541) 997-3221
155 US-101, Florence, OR 97439

CAMPGROUNDS:

Harbor Vista Campground is about 4 miles from the Caucus venue. Please note that Harbor Vista Showers and bathrooms are closed until further notice!
87658 Harbor Vista Rd, Florence, OR 97439

• Camping open year-round
• To reserve at this location visit their Reservation Website or contact Parks Email | Phone at 541-682-2000

Alder Dune Campground is about 7 miles from the Caucus venue.
89630 US-101, Florence, OR 97439

• Standard campsite: $35 per night
• Additional vehicle: $12 per vehicle per night
• $31/Night for single unit; $9 day use fee; $10 extra vehicle. All prices are subject to local taxes. (Recreation.gov)

Transportation, Carpools, and Parking

Transportation Tips

How do you get to Florence? And once you’re there, how do you get around? Check out some options here: https://florencechamber.com/plan-your-visit/getting-here

Who can I carpool with?

Carpooling makes the trip more fun! Sign up for a carpool while registering.

Every year, ROP coordinates carpools between Caucus-goers who live near each other or are traveling through to get to the Caucus. Please indicate whether you can give a ride or want a ride when you register! 

If you could use travel support, including a bus ticket or mileage reimbursement, please reach out to office@rop.org!

What is the parking situation at the Caucus?

Coming soon!

Event Accessibility

We will continue to update this section with details as they are finalized!

What does creating an accessible Caucus mean at ROP?

ROP strives to create a safe and welcoming space for everyone. When registering, please tell us about your accessibility needs, including language and sound, physical space and seating, and food sensitivities or allergies.

Fragrance Free: Please be aware that this is a fragrance-free event.

Please refrain from wearing scented products such as perfumes/colognes, hair products, cosmetics, and scented lotions while attending this event, and avoid using scented soaps, shampoos, and detergents prior to the event. These products can trigger serious health issues for those with fragrance allergies and/or chemical sensitivities.

Quiet space: We strive to have a secluded, quiet space available at the Caucus. More information will be included in participant packets on the day of the Caucus.

There will be live music, speakers, crowd participation, and ambient noise from a large crowd. Please consider bringing noise-canceling headphones if that would help you manage noise sensitivity or over-stimulation.

All written materials will be available in English and Spanish, in 14-point fonts. Upon request we can also print in 18-point (or your preferred font size) for those who need it; just include what you need in your registration form 

Schedule: All participants will receive a printed copy of the Caucus agenda. The schedule will include multiple breaks and a long lunch to catch up with friends, new and old!

Food: All meals will have ingredient labels. We will have vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available at all meal and snack times. Please include your dietary restrictions and allergies when you register.

Bathrooms will be gender-neutral, meaning anyone can use them. Gender-neutral bathrooms are more accessible and inclusive for many people, including transgender and queer folks, people who have a caregiver of a different gender, and parents with children of a different gender.

If you have additional questions about accessibility or specific needs not addressed in this FAQ, please contact us at office@rop.org. We’d love to discuss what you need to participate.

Interpretation & Language Accessibility

If you will be requesting Spanish, ASL interpretation, or sound amplification, please let us know when you register or by emailing office@rop.org.

To ensure we can meet your interpretation needs, please register or email us by Wednesday, April 8th!

If you have any other accessibility-related questions or needs, please email office@rop.org.

Navigating the Venue

Details coming soon!

Please let us know if you have specific accessibility needs or questions about the venue! Email us at office@rop.org.

Health Safety Precautions

ROP prioritizes the health and safety of our members and the communities who are sharing the spaces where we gather. We’re asking all Caucus participants to help foster a culture of care and keep one another safe.

Please use common sense and DO NOT travel if you are not feeling well or if you may have been recently exposed to COVID-19 or other contagious illnesses. We encourage everyone to take a COVID-19 test before traveling. 

Masks are not required, but will be provided for anyone who would like one.

What if…?

Q: What if I wake up with symptoms the day I’m supposed to travel to the Caucus?
A: As disappointing as it is, please stay home to keep everyone else safe and healthy. Please let us know as soon as you can, and we will fully refund your registration and plan to connect in the near future!

Q: What if I begin to feel sick at the Caucus?
A: Reach out to an ROP organizer to figure out a plan that works for you and keeps all participants as safe as possible.

Volunteer

How can I volunteer for the caucus?

It takes a village to raise a Caucus! When registering, please indicate that you are interested in volunteering! You can also email us at office@rop.org to let us know when you’re available to volunteer.

Volunteer duties include:
-Kitchen Helpers
-Setup and Clean up Helpers (these positions include options that do not require heavy lifting)
-Carpool Captains
-Homestay hosts

Have other questions about the Caucus?

We would love to chat with you! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at office@rop.org!