Not Left. Not Right.

“Twenty years ago, as a new Commissioner of Clackamas County, Oregon, I walked into my first NACo meeting. My urban, rural, suburban, frontier county was and still is a microcosm of the whole state of Oregon. It is a county with multiple constituencies, often with competing needs and certainly with vocal, sometimes disparate political philosophies.

My twenty-year involvement with NACo has been critical to maintaining my focus on building and sustaining community. On my nightstand, I still have a worn copy of “Leadership on the Line” by Heifetz & Linsky from the 2006 County Leadership Institute. It helps me ‘stay alive during the dangers of leading.’ Every day I balance when to ‘stay on the balcony and watch the dance, and when to join the dance.’

I value all my NACo colleagues, and I hope you will join me as we all lean into uncertain times. County governments are closest to the challenges of the future. NACo is the catalyst for solutions.” Martha Schrader, County Commissioner.