May 21, 2026 Dear ROPnet, The dust is starting to settle, but the energy of this year’s Rural Caucus and Strategy Session lives on and will continue to ripple outwards from each of the more than 200 people who made the weekend so transformational. For those of you who were with us, thank you! We […]
Read MoreBuilding Rural Leadership
The United States is turning 250. Let’s talk about it.
March 2, 2026 Dear ROPnet, Oregon Humanities is hosting conversations in communities across the state as part of a project called Beyond 250. Read more below! As the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence approaches in 2026, Oregon Humanities is getting people together to talk about democracy, freedom, and what it means to be […]
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KTA: Register Your Group for the Rural Caucus and Strategy Session!
This month’s Kitchen Table Activity is to decide who will represent your group and your community at the Rural Caucus & Strategy Session on the weekend of April 24-26th in Florence! To kick off 2026, each KTA will be paired with monthly virtual office hours with ROP staff, where you can join other human dignity leaders and organizers […]
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Honoring Marcy Westerling’s Leadership
I became political because of stories. I stay political because of stories. – Marcy Westerling, ROP’s Founding Director January 22, 2026 Dear ROPnet, As we embark on our second year under rising authoritarianism, we have been reflecting on the origins of ROP and revisiting the visionary leadership of Marcy Westerling, ROP’s Founding Director. 2025 marked the 10-year […]
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Save the Date: Caucus 2026!
January 15, 2026 Dear ROPnet, It’s hard to believe we’re only 15 days into 2026, with all that’s happened. One thing that hasn’t changed: we’re going to need each other’s support and guidance to make it through this year. One place you’re sure to get enough of that to lift your spirit and fill your tank […]
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KTA: Rejuvenate: Let’s Hold Our People Close
WHAT IS THIS ACTIVITY? This month’s Kitchen Table Activity is to make a plan with your group for how you are taking time to care for one another and for leaders and organizers in your community who need some extra love and support. To keep our movement strong and healthy for the long haul, we […]
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KTA: Oregon is home, not a military target
WHAT IS THIS ACTIVITY? Join thousands of Oregonians from every part of the state who are jumping into action to tell the Trump Administration: NO TROOPS IN OREGON. There are multiple ways to plug in this month, so keep reading! (P.S. We’re also thinking about how to use this federal abuse of power as a way […]
Read MoreKTA: Elections Don’t Mean Handing Over Our Power
While students are wrapping up the school year, there’s another group in each of our communities that is about to experience their first day and embark on a steep learning curve. The winners of the May special district elections are taking office, some of them for the first time, and they are about to be making […]
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Rural Resilience and Karaoke: 2025 Caucus Reportback
Dear ROPnet, What a joy! Amid so much fear and uncertainty, we sang Karaoke, shared poetry, and our talents together! We built new regional configurations for staying connected and moving together. We danced in the aisles. We talked about all the ways that, as a network, we are already resisting fascism and organizing to build […]
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Recap and What’s Next: Defend Civic Institutions
Dear ROPnet, March’s Meeting the Moment gatherings helped us feel connected to a larger pro-democracy movement. Over 70 of you joined us to build our strategy, skills, and analysis to Defend Civic Institutions in the coming months. Read on for a recap of that Zoom call and for some updates about ROP’s virtual office hours. Recap: March […]
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