Happy New Year!

The Office of Community Involvement is kicking off 2018 with a new quarterly newsletter, where we plan to provide you with regular updates on the work of the our office and the Community Involvement Committee, advisory committee openings, and upcoming opportunities to engage with county commissioners and staff.

Here at the office, our year is off to a busy start! The Community Involvement Committee recently welcomed two new members - check out a profile on one of our new appointees, Francisco Rodriguez, below. And our Budget Advisory Committees are in full swing, working with county staff to review plans for the county's fiscal year 2019 budget. We look forward to sharing their recommendations in the spring.

Read on for information on how you can start your year by getting involved!

Sincerely,

Dani Bernstein, Executive Director

Brenda Morgan, Program Manager for Community Engagement

Are you looking for an opportunity to learn more about local government, help Multnomah County improve its programs and services, and ensure community input in county decision-making?

The Multnomah County Office of Community Involvement is currently accepting applications for a vacancy on the Community Involvement Committee (CIC). The CIC is a group of 15 volunteers from throughout Multnomah County who advise the county on timely, equitable and inclusive civic participation in county policy, and facilitate communication between the public and county government. The committee makes recommendations to the Board of Commissioners and county departments on opportunities for community engagement and removing barriers to participation.  Read more about the CIC.

Eligibility

There is currently an opening for an at large member - at large members must be residents of Multnomah County and be nominated by an incorporated community organization.

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted no later than 5pm on February 5, 2018 to meet the first review deadline.

Following the deadline, we will continue to review applications on a rolling basis until the vacancy is filled. Please share this opportunity with your networks!

Those interested in joining the MCCED can apply online here. For more information, call 503-988-8109 or e-mail: [email protected] and learn how to get involved and make a difference by lending your voice to people experiencing poverty in Multnomah County.

Save the Date

Mark your calendars for the three public hearings on the fiscal year 2019 county budget - all hearings will be held in the evening.

Public Hearing #1: Wednesday, May 2nd at IRCO

Public Hearing #2: Wednesday, May 9th at the Multnomah Building

Public Hearing #3: Wednesday, May 16th in East County

Why did you want to join the CIC?

I do a lot of work in the community and I was always seeing changes in our community without having a say. When I started showing up to meetings to voice my concerns, I was always told I was showing up to the table at the last minute and was asked where I was years ago when these conversations started. So this is me coming to the table and being there when the conversations start, and what better table to show up to than the Community Involvement Committee.

Outside of the CIC, where else do you volunteer?

Last summer, I helped run summer sports camps for the kids in the homeless shelter at no cost, giving them the chance to step into a different setting other than the shelter. I also help run a food pantry for low income families in our community. I'm currently testifying out at Gresham City Council to push for renters protections and anti-displacement measures to protect our residents who are being evicted and pushed out of our communities. All the volunteer work I do is mostly in East Portland and Gresham area, where I have lived for more than 20 years.

What are you most excited about for the coming year?

I'm really excited about all the new things I will learn from the CIC and being able to be part of a group that serves to benefit our communities and help facilitate communication between communities and the County - working together to better serve the needs of our residents. I know we have a lot of work to do, but we have great people who are all here for the same reason so I know we'll have a successful year.

What do you like most about the Pacific Northwest?

I've grown up in the Pacific Northwest all my life - it's the only thing I know and it's honestly just amazing. Being able to go out into the gorge and go on hikes and explore nature or head west out to the beach and explore that. So many things to do - and to be able to enjoy all the different seasons year round. Snow, rain, sun - you name it, we got it, sometimes all three in one day! 

Last year brought some big changes to the Office of Community Involvement, including the hiring of a new Executive Director and recruiting 12 new members to the Community Involvement Committee. Read about these highlights and more in our 2016-2017 Annual Report:

Thank you for all you do to make our community a better place!