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| Diversity and Civic Leadership Program
The Office of Neighborhood Involvement has several new programs intended to expand opportunities for civic governance for underrepresented communities with the City of Portland and Neighborhood Associations.
Diversity and Civic Leadership Organizing Project Diversity and Civic Leadership Academy Neighborhood and Community Engagement Initiative Neighborhood Accessibility Fund Diversity and Civic Leadership Advisory Committee
These new initiatives were largely developed and advocated for by the Diversity and Civic Leadership Committee (DCLC) , a grass-roots community-based effort that included representatives from under-represented organizations, neighborhood District Coalitions, and Neighborhood Associations. In addition the ONI Bureau Advisory Committee initiated several of these ideas and advocated for all of them in the City budget process. City Council, with the leadership of Mayor Tom Potter, have approved funding for these new programs in the past two fiscal years.
DCLC Principles and Objectives
The Diversity and Civic Leadership Committee (DCLC) developed these commonly-held principles to help guide the implementation of these initiatives:
Diversity and Civic Leadership Organizing Project
This is a capacity building program for underrepresented community-based organizations in order to increase constituent participation in the civic governance of the City. It has been funded as a pilot project by Council for fiscal year 2007-08. We are currently seeking competitive proposals through Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007, 4 PM, for $200,000 that will be divided more or less evenly between three community organizations. This project was formerly called the Cultural Organizing Project while being conceptualized in the last year.
The goals of the project are to develop culturally appropriate means to build community identity, understanding of existing City governance structures, and skills to analyze City power dynamics. Goals continued at... click here for more info.
Diversity and Civic Leadership Academy
This is a training program for emerging leaders in communities of color, immigrant, and refugee communities to expand civic involvement in the City of Portland. This project was funded by Council in fiscal year 2006-07. A contract for $70,000 was awarded to Latino Network, partnering with the Center for Intercultural Organizing and Oregon Action. The training program began in the summer of 2007. A minimum of 30 participants will participate in eight trainings and two celebration events.
The goal of the academy is to expand the range of community leaders of color who engage in the civic life of the City for the advancement of policies to achieve economic and social equity based on the wisdom, voice, and experience of their constituencies. For more information click here.
Neighborhood and Community Engagement Initiative
This is a capacity building project for neighborhood District Coalitions providing opportunities for Neighborhood Association leaders to engage and build relationships with under-represented communities and organizations. Council provided $45,000 beginning with fiscal year 2006-07 to fund several collaborations between District Coalitions and other community-based organizations. Currently three grants have been awarded. For more info click here.
Neighborhood Accessibility Fund
This is a fund that will help build capacity for Portland Neighborhood Associations to make their activities and meetings more accessible for those for whom child care, language, transportation or accessibility are a barrier to participation. This is a new pilot project funded with $30,000 by Council for fiscal year 2007-08. It will provide limited funding to neighborhood associations for language translation and interpretation, child care, accessibility and transportation services. ONI is currently working with its Bureau Advisory Committee to develop the criteria and procedures for neighborhood associations to access these funds. The title of this fund is a tentative name. More information coming soon.
Diversity and Civic Leadership Advisory Committee
This committee evolved from the original community-based Diversity and Civic Leadership Committee that developed and advocated for several of these program ideas. In an advisory role this group will review and advise ONI on programs related to diversity outreach and engagement to underrepresented communities. For more information click here.
For more information contact: Jeri Williams Neighborhood Program Coordinator Office of Neighborhood Involvement 503-823-5827
jeri.williams@ci.portland.or.us
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