Hello Southern Oregon ASSP Members,
One of the things I appreciate most about our chapter is the sense of community we’ve built together. We’re more than just a group of professionals—we’re a network of people who share the same goal: sending everyone home safe at the end of the day. Whether we’re learning from an expert speaker, swapping ideas at a monthly meeting, or teaming up on a project, the value comes from the connections we make and the knowledge we share. I can’t think of a place where I have felt more welcomed and appreciated my participation than Southern Oregon ASSP.
This was highlighted at our most recent monthly meeting, which was extra special as it marked our first gathering at our new location, the Ethos Academy in Phoenix, Oregon. This beautiful space provided the perfect backdrop for a lively and educational session. Our featured topic was ergonomics, but not in the typical “posture and lifting” way you might expect. Instead, our speaker shared creative, relatable strategies for protecting our bodies in the workplace and beyond.
One of the most memorable takeaways was the idea that our bodies are a lot like duct tape and jelly donuts. The “duct tape” analogy reminded us that, like tape, we’re strong and versatile—but if we get twisted or bent the wrong way too often, our effectiveness is reduced. The “jelly donut” example illustrated how our spinal discs can be damaged if we’re not careful with our movements—once the “jelly” leaks out, it’s hard to put it back in! These comparisons were not only fun and easy to remember, but they also underscored the importance of awareness and prevention in everyday movements.
We’re also excited to share that we’re making progress toward livestreaming our monthly meetings. We know that not everyone can make it in person due to work schedules, travel distance, or other commitments. By adding a livestream option, we’ll be able to include more members in real-time learning and discussions, no matter where they are. It’s just another way we’re working to make professional development more accessible for all members of our safety community.
Looking ahead, we have a major event on the horizon: the Southern Oregon Safety and Health Conference happening on October 14, 15, and 16 at the Ashland Hills Hotel. This conference is our flagship event, bringing together safety leaders, industry experts, and professionals from across the region for three days of learning, networking, and professional growth.
Here’s what you can expect this year:
I hope you’ll join us for this exciting event. Together, we can continue to raise the bar for safety in Southern Oregon and beyond.
Stay safe, stay engaged, and I’ll see you soon—either at our next monthly meeting or at the conference this October.
Warm regards,
Jeffrey Mook
President – Southern Oregon Chapter ASSP
One of the things I appreciate most about our chapter is the sense of community we’ve built together. We’re more than just a group of professionals—we’re a network of people who share the same goal: sending everyone home safe at the end of the day. Whether we’re learning from an expert speaker, swapping ideas at a monthly meeting, or teaming up on a project, the value comes from the connections we make and the knowledge we share. I can’t think of a place where I have felt more welcomed and appreciated my participation than Southern Oregon ASSP.
This was highlighted at our most recent monthly meeting, which was extra special as it marked our first gathering at our new location, the Ethos Academy in Phoenix, Oregon. This beautiful space provided the perfect backdrop for a lively and educational session. Our featured topic was ergonomics, but not in the typical “posture and lifting” way you might expect. Instead, our speaker shared creative, relatable strategies for protecting our bodies in the workplace and beyond.
One of the most memorable takeaways was the idea that our bodies are a lot like duct tape and jelly donuts. The “duct tape” analogy reminded us that, like tape, we’re strong and versatile—but if we get twisted or bent the wrong way too often, our effectiveness is reduced. The “jelly donut” example illustrated how our spinal discs can be damaged if we’re not careful with our movements—once the “jelly” leaks out, it’s hard to put it back in! These comparisons were not only fun and easy to remember, but they also underscored the importance of awareness and prevention in everyday movements.
We’re also excited to share that we’re making progress toward livestreaming our monthly meetings. We know that not everyone can make it in person due to work schedules, travel distance, or other commitments. By adding a livestream option, we’ll be able to include more members in real-time learning and discussions, no matter where they are. It’s just another way we’re working to make professional development more accessible for all members of our safety community.
Looking ahead, we have a major event on the horizon: the Southern Oregon Safety and Health Conference happening on October 14, 15, and 16 at the Ashland Hills Hotel. This conference is our flagship event, bringing together safety leaders, industry experts, and professionals from across the region for three days of learning, networking, and professional growth.
Here’s what you can expect this year:
- Pre-Conference Class (October 14) – Earn your CPR certification in a hands-on, engaging class that will prepare you to respond in an emergency. This certification is a valuable addition to your professional skill set and could one day help save a life. Be sure to reserve your spot in the class through the conference website.
- All-Day PDC (October 14) – Scott Shumway will lead our professional development course which will focus on “conflict resolution.” This will discuss creating collaborative, solutions-focused dialogue that builds trust, strengthens relationships, and gets results in safety and beyond.
- Two Full Days of Breakout Sessions (October 15 & 16) – Dive deep into focused classes covering topics like general safety, construction safety, industrial hygiene, and HR topics, leadership, and skills development.
- Awards & Recognition – Now is the time to showcase the great work happening in your workplace. Submit your safety committee for the Bertak Award or the Best-of-the-Best Award, both of which highlight excellence in safety leadership and innovation. Be sure to check the conference website for details on these and other award categories. All awards packages are due by August 30.
I hope you’ll join us for this exciting event. Together, we can continue to raise the bar for safety in Southern Oregon and beyond.
Stay safe, stay engaged, and I’ll see you soon—either at our next monthly meeting or at the conference this October.
Warm regards,
Jeffrey Mook
President – Southern Oregon Chapter ASSP
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