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City launches advisory‑bodies alignment project to streamline volunteer boards
Summary
The governance committee heard a presentation from the city’s new chief engagement officer about a project to align, clarify and modernize Portland’s advisory bodies. The committee gave staff direction to proceed and asked for periodic updates.
Amanda Garcia Snell, the city’s chief engagement officer, briefed the Governance Committee on a project to align and modernize Portland’s advisory bodies to fit the city’s new government structure.
Garcia Snell described a phased project that would focus initially on 53 advisory bodies appointed by elected officials, with the remaining bodies addressed later. Goals for the project include clarifying appointment and authority language, improving the volunteer experience, increasing transparency and equity in recruitment and onboarding, reducing duplication and streamlining processes.
The project plan presented to the committee proposed three phases: (1) guidance and scoping, (2) policy and equity practice development, and (3) final recommendations and reporting by late summer. Garcia Snell said the work will build on an inventory completed in December and will convene internal and external stakeholder work groups.
Committee members generally endorsed the work. Councilor Clark urged reducing the number of advisory bodies, adding district balance, and emphasizing outcome-driven committees. Councilor Dunphy said recruitment patterns show uneven geographic participation and urged consideration of stipends or honoraria to reduce barriers to participation. Councilor Ryan asked the project to prioritize connecting advisory bodies to on-the-ground operations so volunteer advice leads to implementable outcomes.
The committee signaled broad support for the project and requested periodic updates; members asked Garcia Snell to return with progress reports and to identify specific items on which the committee could offer guidance. Several members emphasized closing the loop with volunteers so people who give time receive timely feedback and can see how the city used their input.
The committee did not take a formal vote on a policy change; members indicated a general “thumbs up” for staff to proceed with the timeline and asked staff to return with interim updates and any needed amendments.
