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Ready for real impact at the Capitol? We’re heading to Salem for a tight, practical training designed to help you tell your housing story so lawmakers listen—and act. With guidance from Oregon Law Center leaders John Van Landingham and Sybil Hebb, we break down how to craft a concise narrative, make a specific ask, and follow up in a way that builds trust and momentum. It’s a fast 30 minutes in House Conference Room H278, but you’ll leave with a repeatable framework and the confidence to step into legislative conversations with purpose.

We share why interim legislative days are a strategic window: fewer floor votes, more time for relationship building. HB 3054 showed that organized tenants can overcome long odds when we show up, write, and call together. Now we’re doubling down on visibility so manufactured and floating homeowners remain top of mind through 2027. From meeting at the State Street entrance to pairing first-timers with seasoned advocates, we detail the small habits that turn one visit into an ongoing dialogue with decision-makers.

To keep the learning going statewide, we preview a hybrid OLLI class through Southern Oregon University that acts as a boot camp for park leaders and engaged tenants. Expect practical skills—agenda planning, stakeholder mapping, simple data tracking, and Zoom coordination—so you can organize your park and plug into a broader network. We also share carpool tips, parking realities, and how to multiply our reach by sharing the update and subscribing. Show up, speak clearly, and stay visible. That’s how we turn personal stories into policy wins.

If this resonates, share the episode with neighbors, bring a carpool to Salem, and hit subscribe so more people find the movement. Your voice matters—ready to use it?

Special Wednesday Gathering
Wednesday, January 14
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
House Conference Room H-278 (2nd Floor)

RSVP for Wednesday’s 11:00 a.m. meeting:
jannin@oregontenants.com

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Email: bbateman@oregontenants.com

Copyright OSTA2045,2025 Not for rebroadcast w/o express written permission. Please share and download for educational purposes with attribution.

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The clock is ticking on Oregon’s 35‑day short session, and that compressed timeline can either sideline renters or sharpen our influence. We take you inside a practical game plan for making the most of limited days and limited bills, with a laser focus on enforcing existing rental laws, boosting agency responsiveness, and proving—again—that we’re organized, present, and paying attention.

We break down two timely proposals that illustrate what targeted policy can do: low‑interest energy efficiency loans from investor‑owned utilities that reduce monthly costs for tenants and seniors, and stronger lobby transparency so every voter can see who is backing or fighting each bill. Along the way, we connect these ideas to everyday stakes—heat bills, healthy homes, and trust in the process—so you can speak to lawmakers in plain terms that move votes.

Organization is our force multiplier this month. We’re hosting regional Zoom meetings from Portland to Ashland to surface local priorities while building statewide momentum. Not everyone has a computer, so we lay out simple steps for park-and-rec room watch parties, along with why it’s crucial to document attendance and send names. That proof of turnout earns credibility with committees and staff, and it keeps our issues on the agenda. We also cover clean membership data—why your email and phone number matter for action alerts—and the digital steps that expand our reach: subscribe on YouTube, hit thumbs up, and share this episode so we can unlock live tools and mobilize faster.

If you care about rental code enforcement, transparent lobbying, and practical relief like energy upgrades that cut bills, this conversation is your roadmap for the weeks ahead. Join a regional session, invite a neighbor, and help us keep the pressure smart, local, and sustained. Subscribe, share with one person today, and tell us: what’s your top question for your legislator this month?

OSTA Membership Link

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A holiday greeting turns into a blueprint for real-world change. We start with gratitude, a few comfort-movie picks, and a fruitcake story that somehow survived 14 years, then follow the thread to where community joy becomes community power. When neighbors talk over dinner or on a winter walk, patterns emerge: pressure to stop organizing, invasive surveillance proposals, and confusion about what rights actually exist. Naming those patterns together is the first step toward fixing them.

We share why HB 3054—our rent stabilization effort that critics said would never happen—passed into law, and what that win means for residents across parks. Then we get practical about the next phase: stronger enforcement, cleaner processes, and local chapters that help tenants document issues and act fast. You’ll hear how seniors, who make up a quarter of our county and vote at high rates, can shape outcomes in low-turnout elections by writing letters, showing up, and supporting lawmakers willing to put protections into practice. It’s a strategy built on steady civic habits layered over a base of trust and humor.

The throughline is simple: rest fuels resolve. We celebrate small traditions—ugly sweaters, a roadside cookout with hot dogs and chili by the Rogue River—because time to breathe makes room for courage. As we thank the legislators and volunteers helping move good policy forward, we also invite you to connect with neighbors, start a chapter, and keep the momentum going. If this message resonates, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help more listeners find the show. Your voice and your vote are gifts the whole community can use.

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Email: bbateman@oregontenants.com

Copyright OSTA2045,2025 Not for rebroadcast w/o express written permission. Please share and download for educational purposes with attribution.

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Hungry neighbors and holiday budgets collide long before the lights come down, so we set out to answer a hard question: what actually helps right now? We walk through the rising need created by SNAP cuts and share a counterintuitive lesson from our own park—don’t start a new food bank just because it feels proactive. Strengthen the ones that already exist. We break down the unseen work of food banks, from collection logistics to storage safety and security, and show how green bag programs and needs-based donations deliver more rice, beans, and shelf-stable proteins to the people who need them most.

Community care also looks like a shared table. We talk about potlucks that turn leftovers into a steady stream of meals and connection. Two turkey carcasses became broth, pulled meat, and enough soup to serve multiple households, with a pan of tetrazini for variety. These small acts stretch budgets, reduce waste, and invite neighbors to swap recipes and ideas that travel farther than any single drop-off.

Then we shift from food to tenant power. Many manufactured home parks struggle with inconsistent rule enforcement and corporate indifference. We outline a volunteer-led course we’ve proposed through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute to help residents start an OSTA chapter, organize effectively, and document issues in ways that lead to action. From first meetings and roles to escalation paths and engaging the attorney general for enforcement, the focus is practical, repeatable tools any park can use.

If OLLI approves the course, you’ll be able to join us there; if not, we’ll host it through OSTA with video modules and written guides. Either way, the goal is the same: support your local food banks with intention, turn leftovers into community, and build the structures that protect your park year-round. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a neighbor, and leave a quick review to help more residents find these resources. What’s the first action you’ll take this week?

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Copyright OSTA2045,2025 Not for rebroadcast w/o express written permission. Please share and download for educational purposes with attribution.

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The room was standing-room only, and the energy was unmistakable: tenants came ready to learn, share, and act. We walked through the biggest wins from our first OSTA conference in five years, from HB 3054 momentum to the practical tools that help residents challenge misinformation with confidence. You’ll hear how a simple workshop turned into Monday-morning action, with neighbors launching a park newsletter backed by the right ORS 900 citations—and why that kind of clear, lawful organizing changes the conversation with managers and owners.

We open with thanks to the people who made it happen—Representative Pam Marsh for setting the tone, Senator Jeff Golden for his video support, and experts like Samantha Sheehan from the Oregon Law Center for bringing sharp legal guidance. Even when the tech got fussy, we adapted and kept the knowledge flowing—because hearing the message mattered more than perfect slides. Along the way, we spotlight the tools that make a difference: ORS 90 guidebooks, templates for tenant communications, and simple steps for forming and sustaining park associations that actually get results.

Looking ahead, we’re already planning a longer, smarter event with deeper tracks on organizing, rent rules, habitability, mediation, and advocacy. Membership is growing, resources are available online through December, and the focus is clear: equip every resident with the language of the law and a supportive community. If you want practical takeaways, real stories, and a roadmap for action, this recap brings it together in one place.

If this conversation helps you or your neighbors, subscribe, share it with your community, and leave a review. Then tell us what you want on next year’s agenda—we’re building it with you.

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Email: bbateman@oregontenants.com

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The clock is ticking as tickets for the Oregon State Tenants Association conference are vanishing fast – already 75-80% sold with no door sales available. This gathering promises to be a landmark event for manufactured and floating home residents seeking to understand their rights and build stronger communities.

Set your calendar for this information-packed day featuring an impressive roster of speakers. Representative Pam Marsh, the driving force behind HB 3054, will share insights on tenant protection legislation. You'll hear from Rita Loberger, a passionate activist and former OSTA president, and gain critical legal knowledge from Samantha Sheehan of the Oregon Law Center about eviction defense resources created through SB 586. With Fire Safety Week approaching, Eugene's Deputy Chief Fire Marshal Travis Worthington will deliver potentially life-saving information specifically for manufactured home communities.

The conference offers workshops on creating community newsletters, understanding tenant rights, community empowerment, and effective outreach strategies. A highlight will be the expert mediation panel featuring seasoned professionals including Ken Pryor from MMCRC and Angela Garvin, who brings valuable perspective from tenant-landlord negotiations. Attorney Matthew Johnson will address your pressing legal questions in a structured Q&A session. Beyond education, you'll have networking opportunities, an awards ceremony, and chances to win valuable prizes including fire safety kits and community organizer packages worth $250.

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with resources and fellow community members dedicated to tenant advocacy. With the event nearly sold out, secure your spot now through the OSTA website before it's too late. Join us for a day that promises to be the first step in "empowering you to make good decisions" with information that will benefit you and your community for years to come.

Purchase Tickets Here

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Navigating Oregon's tenant protection laws just got easier with this essential update from Bill Bateman and the Oregon State Tenants Association (OSTA) team. We tackle the two questions flooding our inbox: Yes, the OSTA conference is definitely happening, and yes, tickets are still available—though we're already 50% sold out!

Mark your calendars for this information-packed event featuring Representative Pam Marsh as our opening speaker, followed by expert-led workshops designed specifically for manufactured home and marina residents. Doors open at 10:30 AM with coffee and cookies, and the program kicks off at 11:00 AM. We've carefully structured our Q&A session to ensure everyone's most pressing questions get answered, not just those from the loudest voices in the room.

The heart of today's update addresses widespread confusion about HB 3054 and its impact on rent increases. We break down exactly when the new 6% rent cap takes effect (January 2026 for parks with 30+ spaces), while smaller communities maintain their 7% plus CPI cap with a 10% maximum. Through a real-world example from a Salem-area park, we illustrate why landlords cannot issue notices now for 10% increases effective January 2026—and what penalties they might face for trying. We also share a crucial warning about automatic rent payments that could leave you fighting to recover funds if your landlord attempts to collect an illegal increase.

Don't miss this opportunity to get informed about your rights! Secure your conference ticket through our website today, review the full text of these regulations, and join us as we continue advocating for fair housing practices across Oregon. Remember: understanding your rights is the first step toward protecting them.

Link to Buy Tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/osta-conference--2025

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Copyright OSTA2045,2025 Not for rebroadcast w/o express written permission. Please share and download for educational purposes with attribution.

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Ready to take control of your mobile home community? The upcoming OSTA Conference might be your first step toward that reality. Scheduled for October 4th at the Hilton Garden Inn in Springfield, tickets are already half sold at just $25 per person – the same price as our pre-pandemic gathering. We're particularly excited to offer a special incentive: bring a neighbor from your park, and they'll receive a free OSTA membership with their ticket purchase!

One conference highlight will be our workshop on creating effective community newsletters. After visiting parks across Oregon, we've heard repeatedly how residents want to develop their own communication channels independent of management. I'll be sharing practical tips from my experience producing a newsletter for my 70-resident community, where about half the residents aren't computer users. Discover how to seamlessly integrate digital distribution with traditional printed copies, making sure everyone stays informed, regardless of their tech comfort level.

The most transformative topic we'll explore is how residents can purchase their own parks – something that's happened successfully in places like Glenwood, Colorado, but remains challenging in Oregon. We'll discuss the complex procedures involved and examine what might be possible over the next five years. Meanwhile, we've made significant organizational improvements, securing our nonprofit postal permit (thanks to VP Rochelle's tireless efforts) and establishing a new mailing address that's already streamlined our operations. Join us at the conference to discuss these developments and other pressing issues facing mobile home residents across Oregon. Want to shape the future of manufactured housing communities? This is your opportunity to connect with others sharing the same vision.

NEW OSTA Mailing address

105 W. Bolz Rd. #1587
Phoenix, OR 97535

Join OSTA Link
Comments or Questions for the Podcast
Email: bbateman@oregontenants.com

Copyright OSTA2045,2025 Not for rebroadcast w/o express written permission. Please share and download for educational purposes with attribution.

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Format: Music
Title: Make An Impact (Stinger Intro) - Upbeat Corporate Inspirational Uplifting
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Stock Music provided by inspiringaudio, from Pond5
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