Deadline is Nov. 1

PATEROS – Contributors have less than 30 days to submit wildfire survival stories for the upcoming IRIS  Success Summit to be held in Pateros in mid-November.

IRIS, the Initiative for Rural Innovation and Stewardship, wants to showcase success stories for Pateros Strong, its ninth annual North Central Washington Community Success Summit at the Pateros school gym from 9 a.m. to 3 pm. Thursday, Nov. 15.

“Summit planners aim to highlight some of the stories that brought Pateros together after the Carlton Complex Fire in 2014 as well as those from other parts of the region,” an IRIS media release said.

“IRIS is gathering success stories that contribute to the kind of community we want to live in – one that maintains diverse, healthy ecosystems, fosters a high quality of life for all, and bridges cultural and political divides.”

Stories are wanted from residents in those parts of Okanogan, Douglas, Chelan, and Grant counties affected by the fire.

Contributors can visit www.irisncw.org to download the Success Story Exchange form.

“We’re thrilled to work with Pateros to host the Summit this year,” said IRIS Board President Brooklyn Holton. “and to learn more about how they have strengthened their whole community that stretches south to Wells Dam and west to Carlton.”

Pateros Mayor Carlene Anders welcomes the summit as an avenue to keep people in the community connected as time and technology cause them to lose touch.

“We can sit together at the summit and hear those stories of success that can improve our communities and are important from an economic, environmental, and even spiritual perspective,” Anders said.

IRIS is working with the Pateros School District and an advisory committee to plan elements of the summit and organizers expect as many as 200 people from Pateros and surrounding areas to attend this year.

Summit sponsors include the city of Pateros and its school district, the Economic Alliance, Molina Healthcare, Okanogan Conservation District, Craft3, Regional Innovation District Coalition and North Central Regional Library.

Sweet River Bakery in Pateros will cater the event that will include live music and sponsor displays.

Information about sponsorships, contributions and scholarship fund is available from IRIS at 509-888-7374 or email irisncw@gmail.com. For registration and agenda information visit www.irisncw.org/summit/ online.