Volunteer honorees and Multnomah County Board members on September 30

Office of Community Involvement September 2025 Newsletter

About the Office of

Community Involvement (OCI):

The 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. Continue reading to find opportunities to engage!

Check out the OCI Website for general information!

Volunteer Awards 2025

“People help each other just because that’s what people do”

 - Mark Meininger, Emergency Shelter volunteer 

The Multnomah County Volunteer Awards were presented at the September 30th Board of County Commissioners briefing (recording here). Over one hundred remarkable volunteers were recognized by their program staff for their dedication, patience, humor, persistence, and creativity. More than fifty volunteers from most county departments showed up in person to be recognized by the Board of County Commissioners and assembled family, friends, and county staff. 

OCI Director Amara Pérez shared, “Volunteerism…is one of the most important ways that we ensure local government best uses its resources to deliver essential public services, implement meaningful policies, respond to the needs of its community, and maintain a commitment to be good stewards for the people.” Take a moment to read all the amazing ways volunteers support the work of the county on the Multnomah County Volunteer Awards website! 

The Volunteer Awards ceremony was followed by the Community Involvement Committee’s presentation of their recommendations to the Board. CIC leaders shared recommendations on how the Office of Community Involvement and the county as a whole can develop infrastructure for community engagement and engage with communities impacted by addiction. It was a full morning of community engagement!

Thank you to all who joined us!

Community Involvement Committee Members present their recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners

Join the Salary Commission

Are you an HR professional with compensation experience? Want to contribute that expertise in a meaningful way to your county? Apply to join the Multnomah County Salary Commission by November 14!

The Multnomah County Auditor is seeking 2 Salary Commissioners. The five-person Salary Commission sets the salaries for the County Chair, Commissioners, and Sheriff, as well as the DA’s County-paid supplemental salary. Salary Commissioners need to be qualified HR professionals with compensation experience and can work in the private or public sector. 

Learn More and Apply Here!

Join the Multnomah County

Planning Commission

The Multnomah County's Land Use Planning Division is seeking three Multnomah County residents to serve as volunteer members on the Multnomah County Planning Commission.

The Planning Commission addresses land use planning for unincorporated areas of the county in order to meet state planning requirements and policies set forth by state law and the Multnomah County ordinance. The successful candidate will have the ability to thoughtfully consider information regarding proposed changes to land use policies and regulations, consider competing points of view, and make sound recommendations. The expectation is that Planning Commissioners arrive at meetings prepared by reviewing materials before meetings, attend meetings regularly, engage during deliberation, communicate clearly and respectfully, and participate in identifying equitable, cost effective and creative regulatory solutions.

Application accepted October 20th - November 3rd, 2025

Learn more and apply here starting October 20th!

Join the Animal Services Advisory Committee

Multnomah County Animal Services is seeking community members who live or work in Multnomah County to fill 8 vacancies on its volunteer Animal Services Advisory Committee.

Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS) is the county’s sole public animal shelter and control agency. The mission of MCAS is to protect the health, safety and welfare of people and pets throughout Multnomah County. 

Learn more and apply here!

Participate in the Climate Justice Plan Forums!

You're invited to participate in the Climate Justice Plan Forums to help refine the draft strategies and metrics for the 12 universal goals of the DRAFT Multnomah County Climate Justice Plan (CJP).

Your participation is crucial in this phase. Building on the co-creation process, the goal of these forums is to strengthen the CJP by bringing together community partners, industry groups, and county staff. This collaboration will help us focus the county's specific commitments on actions with the highest impact on equity, justice, and carbon reduction. The result will be a plan that serves as both a government action plan and a community toolkit.

Forum Details

• When: Tuesdays and Thursdays (Check the link for specific dates/times)
• Where: Available in-person at the Multnomah Building (501 SE Hawthorne Blvd) and virtually (Zoom details provided upon registration)

Learn more and register for forums here:

multco.us/info/climate-justice-plan-community-forum

Coming Soon: Join the Advisory Committee on Sustainability and Innovation (ACSI)

The Advisory Committee on Sustainability & Innovation provides advice and advocacy to Multnomah County on sustainability issues affecting our community, the environment, and the economy. They will be recruiting for 4-5 new members in the coming months!

Learn more here and apply in November!

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

More Volunteer Opportunities!

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.

Want support finding the right opportunity for you? Contact OCI at community.involvement@multco.us

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