Volunteer (Non-Paid) Position -- New Portlanders Policy Commission (Ongoing)

The Position

The New Portlanders Policy Commission (NPPC) works to integrate immigrant and refugee communities’ voices into the City of Portland's policies and decision-making. NPPC members are immigrants, refugees, community advocates, and live, work, play, or pray in the City of Portland.

The NPPC supports the City by:

• Reviewing and updating recommendations on immigrant and refugee policies and practices;
• Developing policy recommendations for improving immigrant and refugee integration;
• Providing expert support and technical advice to City Council and City bureaus; and
• Giving support and technical advice to partnering schools, local governments, state, and federal agencies in creating immigrant and refugee policies and practices.

The Office of Community & Civic Life provides staff support to NPPC members so they can advance their priorities. Civic Life staff also provides the council with guidance on how to best connect with City Council and other City bureaus.
Policy Commission Members are expected to:

• Receive training on ethical and effective official service to the residents and to the City of Portland, and then maintain these standards of conduct.
• Advocate for the positive integration of all immigrant and refugee Portlanders in addition to their own communities of nurture.
• Prepare and actively participate in bi-monthly commission meetings (once every two months). Contribute their expertise to at least one working committee. Committees generally meet once a month.
• Represent the New Portlanders Policy Commission before City Council.

Time Commitment

• Commission members serve renewable three year terms and may not exceed eight years of total continuous service.
• We have been meeting bi-monthly or at a minimum quarterly. Meetings can change at times convenient to the commission, and members may meet more than often, and as otherwise necessary to conduct its business. Meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the operating procedures of the group.

Total Number of Seats: 25
Vacancies: Up to 8

To Qualify

To be eligible to serve on a City of Portland advisory body, members must live, play, worship, go to school, work or do business in the City of Portland .

What We Look For
We want people from every part of Portland here to share their voice on this committee, especially people who have not been involved before. We want you if you are an advocate for racial equity: you want positive and long-lasting outcomes for racial and ethnic communities with the intersection of disabilities who have been left out before. This is your opportunity to get involved, serve your community and to help government make better choices. The attributes listed below are what will guide our selection process.

Required Availability to attend meetings and events. Able and willing to keep regular communications through e-mail, text and phone in a reasonable and timely fashion. Ability to prepare for meetings on their own time. The amount of preparation time may vary depending on the issues the Commission is considering. Applicants should expect to spend extra time outside the meetings on Commission business. Representation from immigrant and/or refugee communities and have an understanding of their struggles, priorities, and culture. Possess leadership and collaborative skills, able to work in a team setting. Willing to learn about the NPPC mission and purpose and serve as an ambassador for the commission. Willing to work with a diversity of people, in terms of age, ethnic background, sexual orientation, gender, disability, culture, religious preference, etc.
Volunteer Ethics

People who join this committee will become what we call “Public Officials,” which means that while you serve you must behave fair and ethically. We will provide training on this once you are accepted. Part of following Public Officials Ethics laws means you must tell the group when you or a relative may financially benefit (or avoid fees) by your recommendations. This is called a “Conflict of Interest.” If you tell us about potential Conflicts of Interest that does not mean you cannot serve, in fact, many committees have potential members with Conflicts of Interest. We appreciate your ethical inclusion of possible Conflicts of Interest on the form included in the application.
We Remove Barriers
Let us know if there are barriers to your participation.

The Recruitment Process

Applications are due by 11:59pm on Sunday, January 5, 2025
To talk with someone about this opportunity or to receive assistance completing the application, please contact Ocean Eale at ocean.eale@portlandoregon.gov.

Voluntary & Confidential Demographic Information

The City is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity. Completing the demographic information on the application is voluntary, but we encourage you to provide that information. The City uses this information to help ensure that advisory body appointments represent a broad cross-section of community. Your information will not be used during the recruitment nor the selection process. State and federal law prohibit use of this information to discriminate against you. Questions about this may be sent to AdvisoryBodies@Portlandoregon.gov

General Questions

For general questions about the Advisory Bodies program, the volunteer recruitment process, or other upcoming advisory body opportunities please email AdvisoryBodies@Portlandoregon.gov .

We Encourage You to Apply

We welcome you to browse our website to learn more: https://www.portland.gov/civic/immigrants/npcc

Do you have questions or need more information? Email ocean.eale@portlandoregon.gov .

Additional Information

Meeting Location

Currently, many advisory bodies are meeting remotely due to COVID-19. In the future, meetings could: 1) be conducted fully remotely, or 2) be conducted remotely and in person (hybrid model). As the situation evolves, the exact meeting location may change based upon leadership direction and approval.

Terms
As the City of Portland shifts to a new government structure, advisory bodies may undergo updates and changes. If applying for a vacant position on this advisory group, please note that the term may be shorter than what is listed elsewhere in this recruitment post.

City of Portland volunteers are unpaid; therefore, employment benefits are not available.

Closing Date/Time: 1/5/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of Portland

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