Coming Soon: Cascade Chapter Survey Results
Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our member survey! We’re grateful for your thoughtful feedback and the insight you shared about what you're navigating and what you need from the Cascade Chapter right now.
We’re currently reviewing the results and look forward to sharing what we heard. Keep an eye out for a special update next month with survey highlights, what they mean for Chapter programming in the year ahead, and the announcement of our gift card winners!
| | Featured P2 Professional Development | | | |
IAP2 In-Person Trainings (Portland)
Only 1 spot left!
We’re just a few weeks out from the first two of our in-person IAP2 training sessions this June (with the final session taking place in September). If you’ve been thinking about registering, now’s the time! IAP2 in-person training sessions don’t come around often. It’s a great opportunity to build your skills and connect with others in the P2 community. Take all three courses to receive IAP2 USA's Certificate in Public Participation!
Training Dates:
-
June 1 - Fundamentals of Public Participation
-
June 2 & 3 - Designing + Leading Public Participation (Note: Fundamentals is a prerequisite)
-
September 1 & 2 - Applying Methods for Public Participation (Note: Fundamentals is a prerequisite)
Register Here
| | | Featured Events & Opportunities | | | |
State of the County
Tuesday, May 19, 4:30 - 6 p.m.
New East County Library, 475 NW Division St, Gresham
Join Multnomah County and City Club for the 2026 State of the County Event. Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson will deliver her last State of the County address before her term ends in December, after serving nearly ten years on the Board of County Commissioners. The program will include a moderated discussion with Rukaiyah Adams, President and CEO of 1803 Fund, followed by a public reception on the new library’s beautiful rooftop terrace.
Learn more and register.
| | | | |
Burnside Bridge Turns 100!
Saturday, May 30, 12 - 5 p.m.
Burnside Bridge
The Burnside Bridge is turning 100 years old this year! Join Multnomah County for the Burnside Bridge Centennial Celebration, a free community event honoring one of Portland and Oregon’s most iconic landmarks. The entire bridge will be closed to vehicles and opened up for people walking and rolling from noon to 5 p.m. It will be a family friendly "birthday party" with kid focused activities, interactive exhibits, and storytelling that spans the bridge’s opening in 1926 all the way to the future Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge Project.
The theme of the event is building community, and will be highlighting the people and organizations around the bridge that have made Portland such an amazing place for the last 100 years.
Get all the party details at burnsideturns100.com.
| | | | |
Portland 2026 Tree Code Update
Portland is updating its Tree Code! This once-in-a-decade update helps guide how Portland protects and grows the city's urban forest—ensuring all Portlanders benefit from clean air, cool streets, and healthy, safe neighborhoods.
Tune in to the Portland Urban Forest Commission meeting on May 21.
Learn more and share your feedback online.
| | | | |
IAP2 USA Podcast
Public Participation Amplified - Episode 2 Out!
Episode 2: Engagement in an AI World
IAP2 USA's second episode examines how artificial intelligence is redefining information access, transparency expectations, and narrative construction. While organizations test AI-driven engagement platforms, grassroots groups are already leveraging these technologies for mobilization and advocacy. Join on LinkedIn live next Monday, May 18th at 10 a.m. PST (recording will be available on the same page).
Missed Episode 1? Watch it here.
| | | Have a upcoming event or engagement opportunity you'd like us to feature? Send us your requests at IAP2Cascade@gmail.com. | | Featured IAP2 Trainings & Events | | |
Lunch & Learn Webinar: Facilitating Engaging Virtual Meetings
June 10 from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. (PST)
Join the IAP2 Puget Sound Chapter for a virtual conversation on what it takes to facilitate engaging, inclusive, and collaborative online meetings. Jenny Thacker, Associate Director of Facilitation at PRR, will share lessons learned from six years of virtual and hybrid facilitation, including strategies for overcoming distractions, navigating power dynamics, and managing challenging moments.
Register
| |  | |
Navigating Adaptive Challenges in Public Engagement
June 11 from 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (PST)
Not every engagement challenge has a clear solution. This interactive course helps you navigate complex, high-stakes situations with confidence using adaptive leadership and practical, real-world tools. Learn how to spot early signs of escalation, manage tension, and choose the right approach when emotions, uncertainty, and competing interests are at play.
Register
| | |
Community Engagement Manager
City of Bend
Salary Range: $106,421 - $135,824 annually
The Community Engagement Manager, which is a new position, will help the City build and sustain strong relationships with the community by ensuring community members have meaningful opportunities to have their voices heard and shape City decisions. This role works across City departments to integrate inclusive, equitable community engagement into planning, programs, and public projects, especially for communities that are disproportionately impacted or who have been historically underrepresented.
This position supports and trains City staff on best practices for community engagement, helps design and facilitate public meetings and events, and works closely with community partners to listen, learn, and build trust. The Community Engagement Manager also supervises engagement staff, tracks outcomes, and uses community insights to continuously improve how the City listens, communicates, and responds to the public.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a people-centered communicator who knows how to build trust and bring diverse voices into public decision-making. They’re comfortable leading conversations, facilitating meetings, and helping others communicate clearly and inclusively.
Someone who is organized, collaborative, and motivated by public service will be well-suited for this role, able to juggle multiple projects, coach staff, and represent the City with professionalism. Most of all, they care about equity, community connection, and making government more accessible and responsive.
Highly-qualified candidates will have strong working knowledge from their professional and lived experience in: best practices for public participation; familiarity with, or strategy for building awareness of, City of Bend communities; and demonstrated success bridging policy and planning efforts with community engagement.
| | |
Programs and Community Engagement Lead
The Royal Rose Foundation
(Part-time, contract)
The Programs & Community Engagement Lead supports the coordination and implementation of youth programming, outreach efforts, community engagement activities, and community-based events connected to The Royal Rose Foundation’s Rose Response initiative. This role is heavily community-facing and requires active participation in events, outreach activations, workshops, and public engagement efforts throughout the Portland Metro area.
This position is expected to help lead and support community events, represent The Royal Rose Foundation in public spaces, assist with outreach and tabling efforts, and maintain strong engagement with youth, volunteers, and community members.
Estimated Timeline
Estimated start date: June 2026
Estimated end date: June 2027, dependent on grant timelines, organizational needs, contractor performance, and funding availability.
Estimated Commitment
Approximately 15 hours per week on average throughout the grant period. Hours may fluctuate depending on programming schedules, events, outreach activities, and organizational needs. Evening and weekend availability will regularly be required due to community events, workshops, and outreach programming.
Compensation Structure
This role is structured as a part-time independent contractor position. Contractors are compensated based on actual approved hours worked and must submit timesheets/invoices according to organizational procedures. This is not a salaried or guaranteed-hour position.
Compensation is estimated at approximately $23 per hour equivalent based on grant-supported funding and workload expectations.
| | | | |
