WILLAMETTE RIVER ADVOCACY

There’s a lot of talk going on about culture these days. Regardless of your ethnicity you have one! Your culture is who is in your circle - it’s your friends, your family, your co-workers, your neighbors - all these groups individually and together help form the perceptions we hold about things.

It’s time for the culture of our group of HAP members to step forward to help influence our own sub-cultures. Word of mouth is powerful, and clearly if you are reading this, you are an innovator, pioneer, leader, and early adapter. You may not realize it but your friends do care about what you think. They value your opinions and look to you to help shape their ideas about things.  As it turns out, you are an expert on swimming in the Willamette River because so few in our community have done it – YET!  You are a part of the swimming 1%!  

Yes, you have swum in the Willamette River and lived to tell about it. What do you think about the experience? Did you enjoy it, how was the river temperature, what did the current feel like?  

Educate yourself. It doesn’t take long to learn the basics. Sewage overflows in the Willamette River? Hasn’t happened between June and August for years. Water quality Issues? There is no scientific disagreement that the Willamette River is safe for swimming in the summer.

Talk is helpful and a great start, but talk accompanied with action is powerful! Make a commitment to take five new friends to The Big Float or for a more personal outing at one of the HAP recommended places to swim.  

Summer is at our doorstep. Time to make a positive cultural change in our community and have fun. It’s a no-lose proposition. Thanks for being a Willamette River ambassador. Consider yourself a deputized Willamette River evangelist – let's grow our flock!