2020 Community & Civic Engagement Small Grants Program
For more information visit SWNI.org/Grants
For more information visit SWNI.org/Grants
Exploring Power & Privilege with Courage, Creativity & Compassion
Monday, December 2nd
7:00 - 8:00 pm
Multnomah Arts Center, Room 30
7688 SW Capitol Hwy
Portland, OR 97219
As individuals and groups, we experience varying levels of privilege and power. Recognizing our relationship to institutionalized oppression can bring feelings of defensiveness, guilt, shame, rage, terror, and grief, among other emotions. How can we craft transformative pathways for these feelings to unfold in ways that deepen our collective healing, rather than taking away from it? What do we, as individuals and communities, need in order to heal and thrive in a beautiful and broken world?
Conversation Leader Ridhi D'Cruz is a place-making sociocultural anthropologist, and permaculture educator living in Portland. They work to foster place-based empowerment within diverse communities, including people facing housing insecurity and governmental agencies, by drawing on diversity, equity, and inclusion, cultural sustainability, social permaculture, and asset-based community development. They also enthusiastically participate in life affirming practices involving urban wildcrafting, plant medicine, natural building, and participatory technology. Ridhi is currently a co-executive director of City Repair Project, a grassroots placemaking nonprofit organization in Portland.
Registration is voluntary and not required. Knowing how many people will attend, helps us prepare meeting materials and make room accommodations.
Childcare: If would like to attend the conversation but need assistance with paying for childcare, you may visit Politisit at www.politisit.org. Politisit is a non-profit that reimburses parents for childcare costs while they attend civic events and meetings. In order to ensure institutions, government entities, and elected officials are serving our communities well, we encourage families to engage in civic meetings and legislative discourse.
City Code Chapter 3.96 creates a framework by which the people of the City of Portland may effectively participate in civic affairs and work to improve the livability and character of their Neighborhoods and the City. This Chapter sets out the basis for City recognition of Neighborhood Associations and District Coalition offices. An audit of the bureau highlighted the need to update Bureau practices and City Code to ensure Portlanders have equal access to City decision-making.
1. "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the November 2020 Council hearing, presented by Civic Life and informed by the multi-bureau work group, will include recommendations for the timing and additional public processes required, if any, for updating Portland City Code Chapter 3.96";
and
2. "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Civic Life shall bring forth an ordinance to request Council authorization for a three-year extension for the Neighborhood District Coalition contracts, which will currently expire in June 2020".
The resolution can be found at https://www.portlandoregon.
Consider calling or writing to Portland City Council regarding your thoughts about the proposed Code Change 3.96.
Options for Communicating with City Council (pdf)
Council Member Name | Phone | |
---|---|---|
Mayor Wheeler | 503 823-4120 | mayorwheeler@portlandoregon.gov |
Commissioner Eudaly | 503 823-4682 | Chloe@portlandoregon.gov |
Commissioner Fish | 503 823-3589 | Nick@portlandoregon.gov |
Commissioner Hardesty | 503 823-4151 | joann@portlandoregon.gov |
Commissioner Fritz | 503 823-3008 | Amanda@portlandoregon.gov |
"Conclusion (page 19) - Portland has dedicated volunteers in neighborhoods, business districts, Diversity and Civic Leadership organizations, and many other community groups. These volunteers give significant time and effort on projects ranging from advocating for improved City services to responding to land use proposals to hosting movie nights in local parks. Improving accountability and updating the code and funding models would help ensure their work leads to meaningful results and that the City’s funding is well spent."
"NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Bureau shall convene a Code Change Committee that will recommend changes to Chapter 3.96 that reflect: a unified set of culturally-responsive practices for engaging a diverse range of community partners; an updated description of the Bureau's responsibilities; and a set of voluntary guidelines that represent best practices for civic engagement. These recommendations shall be presented to Council by July 2019."
Listen to OPB Think Out Loud program (July 18, 2019)
Big Changes for Portland Neighborhood Associations
Watch on YouTube: City Club of Portland Friday Forum (July 12, 2019)
The Changing Landscape of Civic Engagement
Portland's Neighborhood System: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCn_jqO4HwM
The ladder is a guide to seeing who has power when important decisions are being made. It has survived for so long because people continue to confront processes that refuse to consider anything beyond the bottom rungs. (From citizenshandbook.org).