Rural Community Builder Name: Sarah Altemus-Pope
Community: Oakridge
Role: Director of South Willamette Solutions
What is one word or phrase that describes this person as an RCB: Dedicated
Recognized by: Katie Fields
Tell us a bit about what you appreciate about them as an RCB: Sarah is deeply involved throughout the Oakridge community and works tirelessly to build relationships and trust. She leads South Willamette Solutions (SWS), a community-based organization, with passion and tenacity to help the community thrive socially, economically, and ecologically. SWS grew out of the Southern Willamette Forest Collaborative (SWFC), which Sarah brought together in 2014 to help local voices be involved in national forest decision-making for the landscapes surrounding the community. Sarah leads with a strong emphasis on the value of joint learning so that all parties are working from the same information, and trust is at the core of her work. In addition to the SWFC, Sarah facilitated the City of Oakridge’s recent strategic plan renewal and is a leader for the Oakridge Air program. Her commitment to her community extends beyond the programs of SWS, and her contributions make life in Oakridge better for every resident who lives there.
