It was great to attend the gathering of the five Maine ROCs last Saturday. It’s always good to see old friends, Fay, Linda and Dawn – who attended the Community Leadership Institute last fall in Cincinnati – and to meet many new ROC members.
This was truly a remarkable effort and event. They called it a summer bash and they delivered! Food, music and games were aplenty. I of course loved the band’s special song, “ROCing in the USA”.
I was able to join in on the food and music and socializing but saw the arts and crafts and games going on it they looked like great fun!
The work that Jessica from Cooperative Development Institute is doing with these ROC members is tremendous. The five ROCs are connecting through an association for things like sharing information and resources and driving down their costs by finding vendors that want their collective business. As I explained, it really mirror what we’re trying to do nationally and that’s great and just what is needed.
We’re seeing a similar ROC-to-ROC connection happening in Montana with Green Acres and Buena Vista. The network of TA providers (ROC USA Network) and all of us at ROC USA completely support ROCs getting together and sharing information
and ideas. There are numerous regional events going on – like ROC A PALOOZA in Washington/Oregon this fall – that are entirely about getting ROC members together to share and learn. Of course, myROCUSA.org is playing that role online.
So, thank you Maine leaders for a fun visit and an inspiring first hand glimpse into the many good things happening in Maine. ROC on!
