Attention! Oregon Metro is looking for Oversight Committee Members! We would like to share this opportunity from Portland Metro parks and nature with our members who are off road cycling enthusiasts.
Information from Oregon Metro Parks and Nature:
Independent community oversight has been essential to Metro’s transparency, accountability and delivery on promises made to voters in each of its funding measures. Applications are now open for the Parks and Nature oversight committee until Nov. 16, 2020. This independent committee will keep Metro accountable and transparent in its use of the $475 million from the 2019 parks and nature bond measure and the capital funds from the parks and natural areas levy, which raises about $16 million a year. Committee members will be appointed by the Metro Council.
Metro is looking for individuals who love parks and natural spaces and have a deep commitment to advancing racial equity as well as knowledge in areas such as finance, conservation, environmental law, tribal sovereignty, and other topics to serve on an independent committee to provide oversight of Parks and Nature’s capital investments.
- The oversight committee will: Review progress of the bond measure’s goals and projects.
- Ensure that the refinement and implementation of the parks and nature bond measure is protecting water quality and habitat and connecting people to nature.
- Ensure projects fulfill the criteria of racial equity, community engagement and climate resilience.
- Provide oversight on investments from the parks and natural areas local-option levy.
- Work with staff to develop a set of outcomes that will evaluate bond performance.
Membership
The Metro Council will appoint 13 to 17 committee members who reflect a broad range of personal and professional experience. The committee will also reflect the diversity of the region.
- The Council seeks a mix of representatives who collectively demonstrate:A commitment to racial equity, social and environmental justice, diversity and inclusion
- Experience, skills and knowledge in finance, land acquisition, conservation, construction, environmental law, working lands and tribal sovereignty
- Personal, lived experience with how Metro decisions impact people of color, the disability community, and the urban Indigenous community
- The ability to work collaboratively with people of diverse perspectives and experiences
- Connections with historically marginalized communities in greater Portland
- Understanding of the geographic and demographic diversity of the region
Committee member commitments
- Four times a year, attend two- to three-hour meetings online or in-person when it’s safe to gather.
- Spend an additional one to two hours preparing for meetings.
- Serve a one- or two-year term.
Resources
Stipends, as well as childcare, technical assistance, interpretation, accessibility assistance and other supports for participation will be provided for committee members upon request.
Please use this link to find the application form online and a fact sheet with more information about the opportunity. The deadline for submitting applications is midnight Monday, November 16, 2020. If you would like to request a paper copy of an application, please email [email protected].