Office of Community Involvement team (L-R) Amara, KA, and Gabriela meet to plan programming.

About the Office of Community Involvement (OCI)

OCI was established in 1984 to support County-wide engagement through a multifaceted approach. OCI collaborates with departments and staff to strengthen program-based engagement. We advise on engagement policies and procedures and develop engagement trainings and resources for county staff and community members. We serve as a community portal to departmental engagement opportunities and directly support civic advisory committees to amplify public feedback in County engagement and budget resource allocation.

Through the county’s advisory bodies, community members are able to share feedback and provide recommendations for the improvement of services and programs. In addition, community members participate in the function, review, and improvement of Multnomah County's programs, policies, and services through a wide variety of volunteer and intern opportunities.

We welcome everyone who lives, works, plays, and worships in Multnomah County to participate in shaping our county policies, budgets, and programs. Here are some opportunities for community members to engage:

College to County Internships

Due April 15th!

The College to County Program applications are open till April 15th, 2025! Only a few days left to spread the word to any and all currently enrolled undergraduate college students (going into Sophomore year, Junior, Senior, or one year removed from graduation) who will live in Oregon or Washington this summer!

This is a great opportunity for students and recent graduates to experience working at the County. We in the OCI are especially recruiting a Community Engagement Intern!

Learn more and share the opportunities!

Apply to join the Library Advisory Board

Library Advisory Board members provide a community lens to advise library leadership on library policies and the annual budget.

Find out more and apply here!

Applications are due by May 15

Have questions or want to chat? Contact the LAB at libraryadvisoryboard@multcolib.org or 503-988-5403 and we'll follow up to schedule a time to talk.

Interested in other volunteer opportunities at the Multnomah County Library? Teen councils, bilingual tech coaching, adult literacy coaches, and more volunteers needed! Explore opportunities and apply today!

Train to volunteer at Disaster Resource Centers

During dangerous weather emergencies, Multnomah County opens life-saving Disaster Resource Centers (DRCs) across our community that offer people shelter, safety, resources and connection — especially those who are at greatest risk of harm. Community volunteers can fill critical roles in these emergencies!

Visit the Emergency Management Volunteer Site for details about upcoming virtual Disaster Resource Center info sessions and General Staff trainings where you can learn how to be prepared.

Upcoming trainings:

• May 6th, 1-1:45pm, DRC Info Session No RSVP needed, join the google meet at 1pm
• May 6th, 2-4pm, DRC Staff Training & Refresher RSVP here 
• May 14th, 10am-12pm, Trauma-informed & De-escalation Tips in DRCs RSVP here

Share feedback on the draft Climate Justice Plan

Multnomah County is excited to share the draft of our first-ever Climate Justice Plan for public comment! The plan tackles the root causes of the climate crisis, focusing on environmental justice and ensuring our community's needs are met. Your input is crucial in shaping its final form!

The Multnomah County Climate Justice Plan outlines 12 key goals and strategies to benefit our communities. We are particularly interested in your feedback on potential negative impacts or barriers to these actions and how we can work together to address them.

Public Comment Period (Open until May 11, 2025):

• Review the Draft Plan 
• Submit Feedback Online
• Email or Audio Feedback: sustainability@multco.us 
• Provide Feedback via Mail: Sustainability, 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland OR, 97214

Earth Day Webinar: Shaping Multnomah County's Climate Justice Plan 

Tuesday, April 22, 2025, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Join us for a virtual webinar to learn more about the draft plan and provide your valuable input. This is a vital opportunity to ensure our climate action is equitable and just.

• Learn: Understand the proposed strategies and their impact on vulnerable communities.
• Engage: Ask questions and share your perspectives.
• Influence: Help shape the final plan by providing feedback.
• Connect: Hear about community priorities regarding climate justice.

Register for the Webinar at the link here.

Engage with the County Budget

The Community Budget Advisory Boards (CBACs) have released their letters advising on departmental budgets. These letters are informed by meetings with department and fiscal staff, and will also be shared in budget work sessions.

Next step: the County Chair will release a balanced budget on Thursday, April 24th. This will be followed by a Board vote and opportunities for the community to share input. Community members are welcome to attend public work sessions as well as public hearings on the budget in the coming weeks and months.

Save the date: Public Budget Hearings

• May 14th, 6-8pm, Multnomah Building (501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland)
• May 21st, 6-8pm, East County location to be determined
• May 28th, 6-8pm, Virtual

To learn more about the budget process, find information about events, and learn about other engagement opportunities, visit the Chair's budget website.