Engage Multnomah County

April 2026

Pictured Above: Community members sign up for engagement opportunities

Office of Community Involvement April 2026 Newsletter

About the Office of

Community Involvement (OCI):

The OCI was established in 1984 to support multi-faceted engagement county-wide. OCI collaborates with departments and staff to strengthen program-based engagement, and advises on engagement policies and procedures and develops engagement trainings and resources for county staff and community members. We also serve as a community portal to departmental engagement opportunities and directly support community 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, worships, and otherwise is invested in Multnomah County to participate in shaping our county policies, budgets, and programs. Continue reading to find opportunities to engage!

Check out the OCI Website for general information!

Engage with the County Budget:

Share Your Budget Priorities!

The budget process is at "Propose" - County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson released her proposed budget today!

You're Invited to share your perspectives and opinions on the Multnomah County operating and capital budgets in the Public Budget Hearings:

April 29 - Public Hearing (Hybrid) - 6:00 - 8:00 pm (Multnomah Building boardroom on 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214)
May 13 - Public Hearing - 6:00 - 8:00 pm (Mt. Hood Community College, Town and Gown Ballroom, Main Academic Center, 26000 SE Stark St, Gresham, OR 97030)
May 20 - Public Hearing - 6:00 - 8:00 pm (Virtual - more details coming soon)

The Community Budget Advisory Committees (CBACs) have published their letters of recommendation on the upcoming budget cycle. Some CBACs may publish additional letters in the future and share more thoughts in work sessions - read the current and past CBAC letters.

Learn more ways to participate in the budget process

Involvement Opportunities:

Pictured Above: 2025-2026 Multnomah Youth Commission Members

Multnomah Youth Commission

Accepting Applications

The Multnomah Youth Commission (MYC) is the official youth policy body for both Multnomah County and the City of Portland. It is made up of young people ages 13-21 who live, work, or go to school in Multnomah County and strive to provide a voice for youth in local governance. We are looking for youth who represent the cross-section of demographics, identities, and experiences of ALL young people in our community. No special skills or experience required; just a passion for making our community a better place. Youth interested in policy, activism, or community organizing are encouraged to apply.

Youth can apply at www.ourcommission.org by April 19th, 2026.

Learn more and apply here!

Youth Bill of Rights Survey

Accepting Responses

Twenty years ago, nearly 3,000 young people across our region helped create the nation's first Youth Bill of Rights, which was endorsed by Multnomah County and the City of Portland.

Now it's time to update it, and the Multnomah Youth Commission is asking youth in the region to shape what comes next by completing this survey. Youth can share their views on what still resonates, what's missing, and what should change by completing this survey.

Youth who complete this survey can enter to win raffle prizes!

Take the survey now!

Pictured Above: Board members working together around a table

Library Advisory Board

Accepting Applications

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

The Library Advisory Board is prioritizing youth applicants and folks from communities of color, as well as those living in East Portland (east of 82nd Ave). Our monthly meetings are on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Participation support is available, including monetary stipends, and help with transportation and technology access.

Have questions or want to chat?

and we'll schedule a time to talk.

Applications are due by May 1st, 2026.

Learn more and Apply to the Library Advisory Board!

Pictured Above: Community Involvement Committee members present

to the Board of County Commissioners

Community Involvement Committee

Rolling Applications

Do you want to help reduce barriers to civic participation? Do you enjoy working with a diverse group to recommend improvements to engagement? If so, the County's Community Involvement Committee (CIC) may be a great committee for you!

The Community Involvement Committee is extending their recruitment until July 1st! Advising the Office of Community Involvement and sharing recommendations with the Board of County Commissioners, members share experience and knowledge to improve community engagement at Multnomah County. Apply today online with Better Impact!

Learn more and apply here!

Pictured Above: The Better Impact logo and a sign welcoming

guests to an emergency shelter.

Emergency Management

Make an Account to Volunteer!

Effective this summer, Multnomah County will move away from using SignUp Genius to manage shelter volunteer registration, to its new platform, Better Impact.

Better Impact will be the sole platform for County staff and community volunteers to sign up for emergency shelter support shifts during severe weather events. Whether you are a current volunteer or are interested in volunteering for the first time, you must have a Better Impact account to sign-up as a shelter volunteer or any role supporting emergency activations. You will not be able to volunteer during an emergency activation without a Better Impact account. Click here to register for an account with Better Impact.

Already have a Better Impact account? You can sign up for volunteer

shifts using your existing log in by merging profiles.

Learn more about volunteering at Disaster Resource Centers

Coming Soon: Charter Review!

2027 - 2028 Multnomah County

Charter Review Updates

Opportunity: CRC Program Coordinator

Multnomah County is seeking a dedicated Charter Review Committee (CRC) Program Coordinator to lead the upcoming 2027-28 review of the County Home Rule Charter. Serving as the primary liaison between the Office of Community Involvement and the CRC, this 2-year position is responsible for the end-to-end management of the review process,

from initial committee recruitment to final recommendations.

Learn more and apply by May 1st!

Next up: Public Education & Recruitment

Recruitment for Charter Review Committee members will begin in summer 2026! Take time now to review the website information, check out the current charter, and get folks you know excited about this opportunity

to impact county governance!

Learn more about the Charter Review Committee

Community Involvement Committee members map out their connections to each district in the annual retreat held September 28, 2025

Get involved with Multnomah County!

Volunteer opportunities are available across Multnomah County!

General Volunteer Opportunities: members of the public can always find

a list of volunteer opportunities on the OCI website, under

"Volunteer and Intern with Multnomah County."

Advisory Boards are also listed on the Advisory Groups page and you

can learn more by visiting their specific sites.

Share this newsletter and view past newsletters by accessing the links

on the Engage Multnomah County webpage.

Want support finding the right opportunity for you?

Contact OCI at community.involvement@multco.us

To talk with someone about these opportunities or receive assistance completing an application, call the Office of Community Involvement at

503-988-3450 or email us at community.involvement@multco.us.

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