[Read all of the articles in our Portland Fun Guide HERE! Looking for a print copy? Look at this handy-dandy map!—eds.]

For many, Donald Trump’s second term in office has been a dizzying descent into chaos. The unraveling of our federal government, and disregard for the Constitution is unconscionable. It’s also been a stark reminder of the importance of political literacy, civic engagement, and building community.

That’s easier said than done. Year after year, polling by the Annenberg Public Policy Center suggests most Americans don’t know which rights are protected under the US Constitution, and the latest polling data found less than 66 percent of the roughly 1,600 respondents could name all three branches of government. In 2018, a Johns Hopkins University survey found a third of the 1,500 people surveyed couldn’t name their state’s governor.

Even 2020, which yielded the highest voter turnout rate in the US in over two decades, saw less than 67 percent of eligible voters cast a ballot. Those are frightening statistics, especially given the Trump administration’s attempt to erode voting rights, including an effort to do away with Oregon’s vote-by-mail elections. 

We can do better. We may not be able to thwart the authoritarian agenda coming from the White House, but we can try to insulate ourselves from the effects of bad governance. When our government fails to serve us and protect our civil rights, the least we can do is protect each other. 

It starts at the local level. 

Tapping into Portland city government: a how-to

Reshaping systems starts with knowing how they work. Portland has a new governing structure that gives voters more representation in city government than ever before. There are a dozen people serving on Portland City Council–three of which represent you. The new system also provides greater access to the city’s elected officials.

How does it work? 

The new City Council is more akin to a state legislature or Congress. Councilors can introduce legislation to one of eight policy committees. If the committee supports a policy proposal, they will vote to send it to the full Council for review and a final vote. All committee and City Council meetings are open to the public. Anyone can attend in person at Portland City Hall, or watch live online via the city’s YouTube channel (search for “e-gov PDX”).

How do I decide which meetings to check out?

Portland City Council meets in regular session on the first and third Wednesday of each month, with additional meetings scheduled the following day, if needed. Policy committees meet Monday through Thursday during weeks when Council isn’t in session. Meeting agendas are posted on Portland.gov under “council agenda.”

A proposed ordinance on an upcoming agenda sounds crappy. What can I do?

Tell your councilors. Government is supposed to be driven by our needs. You can submit written comments for a committee or the City Council to review, or you can sign up to give testimony during a meeting. Links for public testimony are included on the agenda web page.

Is there an issue in your neighborhood that needs attention? A lack of services? Maybe you’ve run into a problem with a city bureau, or just have an idea that would improve your community. You can also reach out to councilors individually. Find their contact info at portland.gov/council.

What if I have a complaint or concern about city government?

The Portland Ombudsman is an independent office that investigates complaints from residents regarding city agencies. To file a complaint or learn more, visit portland.gov/auditor/ombudsman.

Ready to take your civic engagement to the next level?

Apply to help out in one of the city’s volunteer programs. The city relies on volunteers for an array of services and amenities like tree planting and upkeep, gardening, emergency communications and coordination, and more. 

Peak public servant status: unlocked

Do you find local government fascinating? Are you a real life Leslie Knope? Are you also a decent person who can work collaboratively with others? Consider applying for one of several volunteer, citizen-led committees.

Committees at the city level function as advisory bodies that help develop recommendations and/or policy to guide core city functions and initiatives. They’re highly influential. These groups meet regularly, and often work closely with Portland bureaus. There are plenty of options, depending on your interests and priorities.

Concerned about police oversight, accountability, and the public’s relationship with Portland’s Police Bureau? The Portland Committee for Community Engaged Policing (PCCEP) might be a good fit. The city’s Focused Intervention Team Community Oversight Group (FITCOG), which works with city leaders and police to provide oversight and recommendations for reducing gun violence in Portland, is also recruiting members. Are parks your passion? The Portland Parks Board and Parks Levy Oversight Committee are both recruiting volunteer members.

Other advisory committees tackle everything from transportation, to permitting and development, and city budget-related issues. Portland’s website has a list of available volunteer gigs and open advisory body positions at portland.gov/engage/volunteer.

The helpers are going to need our help

Not every solution calls for government intervention. In fact, Portland is teeming with nonprofit organizations and mutual aid groups, many of which work quietly, but diligently to help fill gaps in social services. 

Those gaps are worsening under the Trump administration. Critical food assistance programs are feeling the sting of mass layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services, which provides funds to organizations like Meals on Wheels. 

The meal delivery service–which caters to homebound seniors and adults facing food insecurity–relies on government funding for its operations, but none of it could happen without a massive network of volunteers. Portland-based Meals on Wheels People says it relied on 2,033 volunteers to deliver nearly 1.5 million meals last year.

“Our volunteers are really the heart of what we do. They’re out there every day making sure older adults in our community feel seen, supported, and cared for,” says Suzanne Washington, CEO of Meals on Wheels People. “The need is only growing, and we truly need more folks to step in and help. We honestly couldn’t do this without them.” 

The same is true for PDX Saints Love, a smaller-scale Portland nonprofit primarily serving the unhoused population. PDX Saints Love operates a day shelter, as well as a weekly wellness fair where food, water, and basic supplies are handed out. The group uses a holistic and equity-centered approach to community care, with a mission to “advance love by building bridges of compassion.”

“We focus on addressing social determinants of health in underserved communities, especially those living unsheltered or housing insecure,” Alexis Bolin, a case manager and program director at PDX Saints Love, tells the Mercury. Bolin says just like other aid-based groups, volunteers “play a critical role” in the organization. 

“While we do have a small paid staff, the heart of our events and programs relies significantly on the support, energy, and dedication of our volunteers and community,” she says. “Their contributions greatly expand our impact and enable us to serve the Portland community effectively.”

Ready to roll up your sleeves?

There are a bajillion groups working to make Portland a better place. Here’s a hyper-condensed list of organizations with easily-accessible volunteer information, based on service types.

Homelessness and shelters

Blanchet House- Social services organization providing food, clothing and supportive housing (Volunteers appreciated to help serve meals in onsite cafe and sort clothing and produce)

PDX Saints Love - Nonprofit that operates a day shelter and regular wellness fairs. Also connects people with housing, training, and recovery services (seeking limited volunteers for day shelter and Friday events at Lents Park)

Rose Haven- Day shelter and community center serving women, children and non-binary residents experiencing abuse, loss of home, and other challenges (Accepts donations and volunteers, with restrictions)

Environment

350 PDX- Climate justice organization empowering Portlanders to educate each other and fight for climate-centered public policy

Friends of Trees- nonprofit that plants trees to improve local ecology, and respond to the climate crisis.

SOLVE Oregon is the most prominent litter removal and clean-up organization in the region. (Frequent, recurring volunteer opportunities; also accommodates court-ordered service)

Willamette Riverkeeper is an environmental advocacy and stewardship nonprofit. (Restoration and river clean-up opportunities available)

Food assistance/meals

Meals on Wheels People- A network that prepares and delivers nutritious meals to seniors and other food-insecure residents, straight to their door.

Potluck in the Park- volunteer-run group serving a free hot meal to anyone in need, every Sunday

Social/racial justice and community support

Apano- Grassroots advocacy organization that unites and empowers Asians to build political power and agency 

Basic Rights Oregon- An LGBTQ+ organization advocating for equal rights via state legislative and policy work

CASA For Children- Court-Appointed Special Advocates are volunteer protectors and advocates for children abused and neglected in the foster care system. CASAs often visit a child regularly, and do extensive outreach to a child's caretakers (schools, parents, therapists, etc...) to get the full set of facts about that child's circumstances and help advocate for their best interests in court.

Coalition of Communities of Color- Portland-based alliance of organizations working toward racial justice using a cross-cultural approach

Don’t Shoot Portland- Arts and education organization that promotes social justice and civic participation, with a focus on advocating for Portlanders who’ve faced racism and discrimination.

IRCO- Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization- Nonprofit providing a wide array of culturally-specific services that help immigrants, refugees, and other diverse community members

Latino Network- Latine-led organization providing culturally-specific services to youth and families

Marie Equi Center- Center providing a range of services to Portland's queer community. Health resources, recovery networks, housing support specialists, and programs for trans, queer, intersex and gender-diverse people are offered.

Next Up- Advocacy-based action fund working to empower young leaders to become politically engaged

PDX Books Through Bars- volunteer-run group sending free books to adults in custody

Pride Northwest- produces annual Portland Pride Waterfront Festival and Pride Parade; also hosts or sponsors other LGBTQ+ events in the region