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About Us | Project Manager Biographies
Oregon Solutions grew out of the State of Oregon's Sustainability Act of 2001. First inside the executive branch of state government, then since January of 2002 as a program of the National Policy Consensus Center at Portland State University, Oregon Solutions has promoted a new style of community governance, one based on the principles of collaboration, integration, and sustainability.
In its short tenure, Oregon Solutions has fostered the development of 37 local projects around the state. Many of those projects are still underway, striving to achieve some combination of the state's Sustainable Community Objectives. Oregon Solutions is constantly assessing and initiating new projects. If you would like more information about one of our projects, or if you would like to propose a new project, please contact us.
Download our Oregon Solutions brochure  [pdf]
Download our Projects brochure [pdf]
Oregon Solutions projects are implemented using the Community Governance System. The projects grow out of the collaborative efforts of government, businesses, and non-profits and support the sustainable community objectives. There are five elements of the Community Governance System:
- A problem or opportunity defined by the community that addresses at least one sustainable community objective.
- A neutral community convener from the local community, appointed by the Governor, who can lead a team to address the challenge.
- An Oregon Solutions Team of federal, state, local, and other government entities, businesses, non-profits, and citizens who are needed, or can contribute to a solution.
- An integrated solution that leverages the resources of the Solution Team to meet the challenge at hand and sustainability objectives.
- A declaration of cooperation that team members sign that commits their resources and time in an integrated action plan.
The Oregon State Legislature signed these objectives into law during the 2001 Legislative Session. Oregon Solutions projects must address at least one sustainable community objective and attempt to address multiple objectives. Those objectives are:
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- A resilient economy that provides a diversity of good economic opportunities for all citizens.
- Workers whose knowledge and skills are globally competitive, and supported by life-long education.
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- Independent and productive citizens.
- Youth who are fully supported by strong families and communities.
- Downtowns and mainstreets that are vital and active.
- Efficient development that saves infrastructure investments and natural resources.
- Available and quality affordable housing.
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- Healthy urban and rural watersheds and species abundance and diversity.
- Clean and sufficient water for human and natural use.
- Efficient use and reuse of resources, and elimination of harmful toxins in the environment.
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True to its mission of promoting collaboration, Oregon Solutions operates through a combination of partnerships with other organizations.
Transitioning out of state government, Oregon Solutions found a natural home with the National Policy Consensus Center. The Center assists public leaders and state dispute resolution programs in establishing and strengthening the use of collaborative practice to address difficult public policy issues. The Center is a partnership between the Policy Consensus Initiative (PCI), a national non-profit, and Portland State University's College of Urban and Public Affairs. It serves as the applied research and development arm of PCI.
Oregon Solutions frequently partners with the State of Oregon Governor’s Economic Revitalization Team. The Governor’s Economic Revitalization Team helps bring state and local government officials to the table on local Oregon Solutions projects.
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