COC Associate Ellen Wyoming’s Graduation Speech 2011

As we welcome new COC Associate Ellen Wyoming, we are pleased to share the transcript of the speech she gave at the Portland State University College of Urban and Public Affairs graduation this past June.  Ellen was nominated by her peers and selected by the College to give the one student speech at graduation. Quite and honor. And, quite a speech!  Read on…

“Please take a moment and think of someone that you care about very deeply.  Perhaps you’re thinking of your spouse or partner, a child, friend or grandparent.  Think of them and allow yourself to experience fully what you feel going through your heart, your gut, and your mind when you are in the moment with this person.

How far would you go to keep them safe and secure?  Now let’s think of those who do not have someone to keep their important people safe and secure.

We, the graduates of the College of Urban and Public Affairs, have within our toolkits a great variety of skills and abilities. Each of us chose to come here because we were interested in something greater than ourselves.  Our schools of Government, Community and Public Health, and Urban and Regional Planning are filled with dedicated people who have ideals that walk hand in hand with their hearts.

We have an amazing capacity and we are privileged to be here, to have been well-educated, and to understand the ways in which our unique skills and abilities may be best applied.  It is in using these skills of ours in a way that aligns with our values and what we care for most that will make the difference.  I’m not talking about service with a smile.  I’m talking about using the tools we were born with, those we have cultivated, and using them with mindful intention to do the right thing and to fight for the causes, people, and places that we believe in.  To fight for what others should have but do not have the power to fight for themselves.  Whether we are quiet and diligent or loud and cause a ruckus we have the capacity to do so much and we have a responsibility to do it well for those of us that do not yet have the ability to do so for themselves.

A few years ago when I was a guide in the Grand Canyon I met a woman who at the time was nearing 70 and just had to experience a 2-week white-water raft trip though some of the biggest white water in North America. Despite her slight five-foot frame I looked up to her, and when she spoke, I listened.

She told me something that resonated with me that I want to share with you today, she said that she hoped for me to find that place in my life sooner than later where my passion and talent meet.  Since meeting her I have begun to better understand that if we’re tuned in and listening to ourselves, the values that drive us lead the way to finding that place where indeed our passions and talents meet.

With this, I implore each of you to consider how your talents and passions meet as we leave here today and how you will use those to better your own lives and the lives of those in your communities.

I think about this as a driving force for how we can connect our passions with the tools that we have honed here.

With our raw natural talents and the skills we have cultivated we leave this place to be change-makers, community creators, and people builders. So let’s look to one another and wish each other well as we proudly step from here as masters of our crafts, idealists in our hearts, and passionate activists in our daily lives.”

Congratulations, Ellen!

China learns from Portland…Portland learns from China

Bob Wise and Cogan Owens Cogan helped host a high level delegation from Langfang China led by the Langfang regional Party Secretary Shihong Zhou in a day-long visit to Portland to explore planning and development relationships between the two cities.  Bob is part of an international team that completed the award-winning Eco Smart Master Plan for Langfang (see previous post: http://bit.ly/kzylXk).  Langfang is a city of 700,000 that is expected to grow to over 2.3 million in the next few years.

During the April 20 visit, identified opportunities areas included:

1. Further planning for the central core where the high speed rail station is to be located.
2. Mass transit planning for light rail and streetcar and possible car(s) purchase.
3. Redevelopment of an existing sports complex as a green sports/entertainment project.
4. A sustainability center may be possible in the future.

Cogan Owens Cogan also will be discussing with the Mayor’s office and Party Secretary whether more formal relationship between the two cities is possible.  Mayor Adams endorsed COC’s work and said:  “It is in large part thanks to Bob Wise and Cogan Owens Cogan that the City is where it is with regard to sustainability today”.

Langfang leaders were struck by Portland’s mass transit system, integration of open space, tree canopy, small blocks, the variety of street-level building textures and urban design. They said parts of the city almost feel like a college campus.  They are inspired to make their city more functional, textured, and sustainable.

For more information email Bob at bob.wise@coganowens.com.

COC Staff to Present on Public Engagement and Transportation Planning for WTS on April 13

Nineteen Statewide Planning Goals serve as the foundation of Oregon’s planning program and Goal #1 is Citizen Involvement.  What does this mean for transportation planning in Oregon?  What are the most successful ways to engage the public in transportation planning projects?  Principal Jim Owens and Senior Planner Ellie Fiore of Cogan Owens Cogan, LLC will provide an overview of citizen participation and discuss tools and techniques to help you better engage citizens in your next transportation planning project.

Location: Measseh Engineering Building at PSU, Dean’s Conference Room, 5th Floor.

Date/ Time: April 13th from 5:30 – 7 pm

For more information please visit the WTS Portland website at: http://www.wtsportland.org/.

COC FOUNDING PRINCIPAL HELPS DESIGN COMMUINITY LIVABILITY FORUM MARCH 29

How can Planners, Architects and Landscape Architects meet the “livability challenge” of the 21^st century?  Arnold Cogan, FAICP has been meeting with a group of Fellows of these three disciplines to discuss how they can contribute to the creation of more sustainable communities.  The first in a series of interactive conversations on the subject will be held March 29 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. at the Center for Architecture, 403 NW 11^th in Portland.  All are welcome to attend. See http://bit.ly/fzC6Ei for more information.

The panel discussion, moderated by David Siegel, Fellow, American Institute of Certified Planners (FAICP), will include Oregon Chapter of the American Planning Association President Brian Campbell, FAICP; James Hencke, ASLA, President, Oregon Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects; and Paddy Tillett, FAIA, FAICP for the American Institute of Architects.

A follow up discussion with Arnold on the panel will come in October this year at a joint conference in Portland sponsored by the Oregon and Washington Chapters of the American Association of Planners.

Hope to see you there!