Most people would think that the government should ask their opinion before acting on a policy.
But the Portland region has 1.5 million people with 1.5 million unique stories – people who speak scores of languages, represent nearly every ethnicity on Earth and lead busy lives.
Engaging such a diverse population in meaningfully shaping policy requires a lot of careful planning and prioritization, not to mention a good dose of creativity. And it requires getting help to figure out what approaches work best for members of each of the region's unique communities.
At Metro, such efforts are informed by the Public Engagement Review Committee. Mandated by the Metro Charter, the committee sets a unique table for conversation. It brings public staff, community organization representatives and members of the public together to review and shape public engagement priorities and methods at every level of Metro.
With several seats on the committee now vacant, Metro has begun an open recruitment effort for PERC.
Anyone can apply by submitting a short application by 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015.
The committee is one of many at Metro that include members of the public in efforts to shape policy, but PERC is the only one that focuses specifically on public engagement.
Applicants will be considered based on criteria including a demonstrated commitment to community involvement, experience in public engagement and how well they help the committee represent the full geographic and demographic diversity of the region. Committee staff are particularly looking for people with experience working with underrepresented communities.
The Equity Strategy Advisory Committee is also looking for more members to help with Metro's efforts to advance equity in the region. Established in 2013, the Equity Strategy Advisory Committee provides recommendations to Metro’s chief operating officer on development of an agency-specific strategic plan to advance equity. Applications are being taken to fill the remainder of existing terms on the committee through June 2016.
To learn more about the experience of serving on PERC and what it does for Metro, we spoke with three current members of the committee.
Donita Sue Fry
Donita Sue Fry
Donita Sue Fry represents the Coalition of Communities of Color on the committee. The coordinator of the Portland Youth and Elders Council at the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA), she has over a decade's experience in community organizing in the Portland region.
Why is PERC important?
We have this wonderful opportunity right now. Metro is lifting up equity, and I've heard this really candid language [from Metro staff] that 'we want to do it right and we're not going to be able to unless we ask the people we serve.'
They're putting forward a genuine opportunity to engage with a variety of folks and embrace the diversity of our region. And I admire that. It's a step in the right direction and I feel as a community organizer it's our responsibility to step up and help in that process.
The main goal for me is that Metro develops a real inclusive public engagement policy that honors people for their time and values, and insists that they help guide the process. And that Metro's leadership understands that they can't work in silos.
Who should apply to serve on PERC?
Apply if you really care about the place we live in. It's about place and it's about the future. I'm from the Native community and traditionally we think about seven generations, behind and ahead of us. We have a responsibility right now: everything we do is about those future generations.
We've had the discussion that we're missing the youth voice, so if you have connections with youth that would benefit our work tremendously. I'd also like to see more people from the disability community at the table.
What do you like about serving on PERC?
I really appreciate the participation of people in PERC. We have brilliant people around the table. Everyone leans in and is thoughtful in their consideration.
In my work doing community organizing for over a decade here in Portland, I've learned that we don't work well across jurisdictions. PERC is helping us open up that opportunity. The folks that are serving on it are from across the jurisdictions. It's helping us weave a tighter basket.
Greg Greenway
Greg Greenway works as a public involvement consultant, helping governments develop strategies to engage the public in decision-making. In addition to serving on PERC, he sits on the city of Portland's Public Involvement Advisory Council. He moved to Portland in 2010.
Why join PERC?
I wanted to learn more about how government works here. For me serving on PERC is a way to get a window on government and how it works.
The PERC is also where I feel I can contribute something, since it's a very close fit to what I do professionally.
What are you proud of?
It's got to be a fair trade. When you're asking people to give their time, it's really important to respect that time. At least you get to know the results of that work will turn into something.
I'm a big believer that policy makes a difference, and a good public participation plan helps the community hold the government accountable. So a good public participation plan is very important for Metro.
The thing I really like about PERC is you have government officials, elected officials, staff and representatives of the community at the table. When you have that kind of balance it keeps things real.
PERC elevates the status of public participation. It's a formal acknowledgment that it needs attention and resources. And to do public engagement well, you need to consult the community about how.
Who should apply to PERC?
If you have a certain preconception about Metro and its ways of approaching the community in the past – it might be refreshing to find that there are a lot of people working within Metro to try to improve things, and do a good job of working with the community and improve the community's capacity to work with Metro. Someone who wants to support those efforts would be helpful for moving forward.
Luis Nava
Luis Nava
A Hillsboro resident, small business owner and Peruvian native, Luis Nava works and volunteers in a variety of capacities to advocate for residents of Washington County. In addition to serving on PERC, he is a community representative on the Metro Policy Advisory Committee and a board member of the Oregon Latino Agenda for Action and the Human Rights Council of Washington County.
Why did you get involved with PERC?
When I learned about the possibility to represent the citizens of Washington County at Metro it was exciting for me, because I can bring the voice of Washington County about our needs and what we think about the government. At the same I wanted to know what's going on at Metro and the different areas of work they do.
What I learned is that civic participation is at very low levels and it's because we aren't educated enough about the real purposes and meanings of organizations like Metro. People know very little about their own city's government and it's worse for Metro. People don't even know what Metro is for.
We need to start thinking in different ways to approach to the community. We can't use the traditional ways only, we need to be more creative and reinvent the way we try to get to the community and listen to the community. It's very important because the reason Metro exists because of the people.
Who do you think should apply to serve on PERC?
Number one: they need to be somebody who already has some experience in the community. That's the key element. Number two: I'm pushing to engage more youth and Millennials. We as are always planning for the future – and the future is the Milennials. We are planning and making decisions for them and they are not yet at the table.
It's not only giving your time to do something, I'm getting back a lot -- three or four times what I'm giving. What I'm gaining from Metro is learning more about our government. On the other hand I get the opportunity to network with people from other parts of our region. I learned from that.
This story has been updated to reflect an extended application deadline to serve on PERC.