Neighborhood Partnerships

Neighborhood Partnerships is excited to announce that we will launch a mini Advocate’s College in Corvallis on Tuesday, March 20 and Monday, April 23. This is a shorter, less intensive version, but the same topics will be covered. Neighborhood Partnerships will offer this unique training opportunity to up to fifteen participants. We have several goals for this work.

• First and foremost, our goal is to support established leaders and communications professionals who are working to create an Oregon which offers its diversity of residents opportunities to thrive, pathways out of poverty and disenfranchisement and adequately supported public systems and structures as shared tools for these goals.
• Second, we want to train and support an emerging cadre of leaders and communicators as they work on issues and in cross-issue coalitions to develop messages and materials that resonate and move an advocacy agenda. We will select participants who have a clear issue focus and advocacy or campaign plan, a commitment to strategic communications, and a recognition that building public support for governmental action and resources is an underlying priority.

Participants will be selected based on their (and their organizations’) commitment to:

• advancing defined policy changes through a deliberate communication strategy
• block off time for this training and for development of communications materials
• grass roots or direct engagement in Oregon communities and in coalition efforts, and
• commitment to development of / use of a strong shared theme which reinforces the need for effective public structures and adequate and reasonable revenues

To apply, please fill out the application. It is due at Neighborhood Partnerships on or before March 1, 2012, and applications will be accepted until all spots are filled. Our application and pre training questionnaire are designed to help us select the cohort most able to put these skills into use and to tailor our sessions to support their progress.

If you have any questions about the application process, please email Janet.

On January 11th, Neighborhood Partnerships continued our work with Patrick Bresette of the Public Works Project (link: http://sites.google.com/site/demospublicworks/). He spoke about the role of the Occupy movement, and how it’s changed the national debate around inequality. He also shared research and insights from working across the country in support of efforts to build and maintain strong communities that meet the needs of all residents. While in Oregon, Patrick also spent another day with us during the second session of the Advocate’s College.

You can download the presentation from that evening here. You can also visit the Public Works website where you can download other presentations, research, or view webinars, including the most recent “From Occupation to Reclamation”.

Thanks are also due to NW Natural for their generous donation of the space and their assistance in hosting a small reception following the event. Stay tuned to our blog or newsletter for more opportunities as we move this work forward.

Take a look at some photos from the event on our Facebook page.

The role of government, public spending, and taxes will be at the heart of policy and budget debates both nationally and at the state level in the coming year.

Join us as Patrick Bresette of Public Works shares research and insights from working across the country in support of efforts to build and maintain strong communities that meet the needs of all residents. Learn how this work is being carried forward in Oregon, and how you can add your voice to those calling for adequate revenues and public systems that address the deep needs in our communities.

NW Natural
220 NW Second Avenue
Fourth Floor Hospitality Suite
Portland, Oregon 97209

Wednesday, January 11th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

To get to the meeting, you can take the MAX to the Old Town / Chinatown stop, or you can find parking options here.

Please RSVP to Haley, at 503-226-3001 ext 100, or hcloyd@neighborhoodpartnerships.org.

Patrick Bresette
Associate Program Director, Public Works
Patrick is responsible for taking the work of the program out to the states and partner organizations and seeking ways to imbed the lessons learned and strategies developed into the everyday work of the many stakeholders for an effective public sector. Patrick comes to the project after thirteen years as Associate Director of the Center for Public Policy Priorities and before that as a legislative aide in the Texas House of Representatives. He brings with him a broad understanding of how to work with and within the public sector for positive social change. His years of work leading the policy team at CPPP, spearheading the organization’s legislative initiatives, and leading diverse coalitions of partner organizations situate him well for his outreach and partnership development efforts with this initiative. Patrick has an MPA from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin and a BFA in Sculpture from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University

On Friday, September 23, Neighborhood Partnerships held an open house to welcome partners to our new offices at 310 SW Fourth Avenue, Suite 715. Thank you to those of you who stopped by to see the new office space and say hello! For those of you unable to join us, our door is always open.

We also celebrated one of our staff members, Michael Fuss. Michael has been at Neighborhood Partnerships, (then Neighborhood Partnership Fund) since January 2000, and is retiring in October. As our Financial Director, Michael has led NP’s finance department, and as such oversees a multitude of programs, contracts, grants and other funds. Michael has been a CPA for over 35 years. His experience includes public accounting, private industry for-profit businesses, and non-profit organizations. Neighborhood Partnerships has appreciated his watchful eye on the bottom line and is grateful for the comfort that his expertise and diligence affords us all. Michael’s oft repeated phrase in the office was “How many months of operating reserves do we have now?”

Now moving on to retired, but not quiet life, Michael and his wife are moving to a farm in Washington State. Having already acquired several chickens and a tractor, NP staff are wondering how quickly they will acquire bees, goats, cows and other farm accessories. We will miss Michael’s cheerful presence and good natured teasing in the office, as well as his raised eyebrows at our spreadsheets and proposed budgets. We wish him well in his new life as a “retiree”.

Neighborhood Partnerships is pleased to announce that applications are now available for the second round of our Advocates College, thanks to the commitment of our lead trainer, Patrick Bresette of Demos, and the generosity of our funders. The first Advocate’s College was a huge success, and has had immediate benefits for participants. We’ve written about the first round of the Advocate’s College on our blog here, here and here—read all about it! Round Two of the Advocate’s College will:

• First and foremost, our goal is to support established leaders and communications professionals who are working to create an Oregon which offers its diversity of residents opportunities to thrive, pathways out of poverty and disenfranchisement and adequately supported public systems and structures as shared tools for these goals.
• Second, we want to train and support an emerging cadre of leaders and communicators as they work on issues and in cross-issue coalitions to develop messages and materials that resonate and move an advocacy agenda. We will select participants who have a clear issue focus and advocacy or campaign plan, a commitment to strategic communications, and a recognition that building public support for governmental action and resources is an underlying priority. This session of the advocates’ college will prioritize individuals who are doing grass roots organizing or voter engagement.
• And third, we intend to improve communications across issue silos. We want to build our ability to advance a broadly shared view of what it takes to build a state and communities where opportunity is real, asset building is a priority and citizens are engaged in creating the future. We hope to support one another’s efforts to address critical needs, and together address the underlying resource and public will challenges that hamper all of our success.

Dates:
Sessions will be held in Portland from 10 am to 4 pm on four dates:

• Thursday October 27, 2011
• Thursday December 8, 2011
• Thursday January 12, 2012
• Thursday March 15, 2012

Patrick Bresette of Demos will be our lead trainer, assisted by Dr. Liana Winett of Portland State University and Janet Byrd of Neighborhood Partnerships.

Selection Criteria:
Download the full description of the Advocate’s College. The application is now available, and is due at Neighborhood Partnerships by September 9, 2011. Our application and pre-training questionnaire are designed to help us select the cohort most able to put these skills into use, and to tailor our sessions to support their progress.

Questions about the Advocate’s College, the application process or anything else? Email Alison or read more about it.

Save the Date for Rebuilding the Path of Opportunity: An Oregon Asset Builders’ Conference.

The conference will take place at the Oregon Garden on November 9 and 10, 2011.

Early bird registration – for just $90 per person – will open on August 1.  Starting August 1, check http://ida.neighborhoodpartnerships.org for registration information and additional details about the conference.

We look forward to seeing you in November!

Yesterday, Oregon Thrives held a General Meeting in Salem.  Oregon Thrives members and partners met to hear updates on the Oregon Thrives Legislative Agenda, get an inside line on happenings at the Legislative session, and learn from Patrick Bresette of Demos.

Patrick gave an overview of some of his latest research on how we can talk effectively about the vision we have for our state and our communities, and use language to help us move our states back into alignment with our hopes and visions for the kind of community we want to be.  He also talked about some of the work groups in other states are engaged in around their budgets and public structures.  You can download his presentation here.

We also presented advocates with language to use when talking about the budgets as well as a call to action!  Check it out below and use it today.

Oregon can make choices that will help us Thrive…

Oregon has a history of being a vibrant and prosperous state because of our solid and stable middle class.  We know this didn’t happen by accident.  Generations of public investments created a solid infrastructure for business to grow, an education system to offer opportunity, public systems that underpin community life and a set of public services available when people lose work, become disabled or need assistance to get back on their feet.  We know that these foundations of our middle class have been shaken by the recent recession and the resulting state budget cuts, but we know this is a problem we have the tools to solve.

The recent state revenue report, by projecting additional revenue, casts a few rays of light on an otherwise dark outlook for that foundation.  We applaud the Governor and Legislature for their plan to commit those new dollars to fill the holes in the DHS and Public Safety budgets.  At the same time, we see that current plans would still leave our public systems in shambles and put tremendous strain on the very families who are already most affected by the on-going economic recession.

We have better options. We can continue to find efficiencies in how our state does business.  We can use our reserves to prevent our state from falling further behind.  We can find new ways to pay for maintaining and rebuilding our communities.  We can create communities of opportunity so that no one is left behind.

Oregon has tremendous resources at its disposal – hard working people, ingenuity and financial tools that can all be brought to bear to build a more prosperous future for Oregon.  The decisions we will make in the next few weeks reflect our commitment to making that future a reality.

TAKE ACTION for a thriving Oregon!

As we near the end of the Legislative Session, we need to raise our voices and take a stand for the state we want Oregon to be.  The deepest recession in decades is still hurting our communities.  We can act now to make life better for those who have borne the brunt of the economic recession.

We must make it our priority to re-build a strong middle class in Oregon.  At pivotal moments in our state’s history we have chosen to build a brighter future for ourselves and our children.  The May 12th Revenue Forecast gives us that opportunity, and presents us with the information we need to make wise decisions.  Let’s be sure that we make decisions and choices that will move us forward together as a state, reflect the priorities of Oregonians, and position us for a future that offers opportunity for all Oregonians.

Invest General Fund and Reserves to Meet Immediate Needs:

We can keep the foundations of our economy sound and pave the way to future prosperity.  The job growth that is pulling us out of the recession won’t continue if we don’t maintain the health and stability of our public systems.  Whether it is education, infrastructure, or the many services that keep our communities strong, it’s these investments in ourselves that fuel a good business climate and sustain a strong middle class.

Invest in Department of Human Services Core Programs including TANF

Maintain Oregon Youth Authority Beds

Preserve Key Services for Seniors and Disabled

Increase the Emergency Housing Account to prevent homelessness

Increase  the General Fund Food Program

Allocate Rainy Day and newly projected funds to meet additional Human Services needs – HB 3642

Allocate Education Stability Funds to keep schools open – HB 3641

Use public resources in the most efficient ways possible:

Support Access to education for Oregon Students – SB 742 would make sure Oregon High School graduates pay in-state tuition whether or not they are documented residents.  Call your Representative today to urge action on SB 742!  Let’s help hardworking Oregon students get access to a college education and a brighter future.

Increase Resources Available for Priorities:

Impose a higher tax on Tobacco products

What you can do:

What you can do:

1. Call your Legislator Today:

   To find your legislator’s contact information, look here:
   http://www.leg.state.or.us/index.html

   Not sure who your legislator is? Look it up here:
   http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/

2. Write a Letter to the Editor:

   A few hints:

   Keep it short: 3 to 4 paragraphs (150-250 words; check requirements)

   Respond quickly

   Mention the reason for the letter in the first sentence

   Limit the contents to 1 or 2 key points

   Say why it matters (Values), specify what needs to be done (Policy), and ask those with the power to make it happen to act (Responsibility)

   Use framed messages, social math, and simplifying models

   Include your name, address, & phone number

TALKING POINTS: Use one of these to help you get started when you phone or write.  Don’t forget to ask for a specific policy solution or step to be taken.

We can keep the foundations of our economy sound and pave the way to future prosperity.  The job growth that is pulling us out of the recession won’t continue if we don’t maintain the health and stability of our public systems.

We can act now to make life better for those who have borne the brunt of the economic recession.

Our state has tremendous resources at its disposal – hard working people, ingenuity and financial tools that can all be brought to bear to build a more prosperous future for Oregon.  The decisions we will make in the next few weeks reflect our commitment to making that future a reality.

We must make it our priority to re-build a strong middle class in Oregon.  At pivotal moments in our state’s history we have chosen to build a brighter future for ourselves and our children.  The May 12th Revenue Forecast gives us that opportunity, and presents us with the information we need to make wise decisions.  Let’s be sure that we make decisions and choices that will move us forward as a state, reflect the priorities of Oregonians, and position us for a future that offers opportunity for all Oregonians.

Please Join Us!
Oregon Thrives General Meeting

Please join us on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem Church at 5090 Center Street NE, Salem, OR 97317 from 2 – 4 pm for the Oregon Thrives General Meeting.

Oregon Thrives is a coalition of organizations and agencies working together to create healthy and prosperous communities where everyone has access to jobs, education, nutritious food, stable homes and services that protect and promote health and wellness.  We all have a stake in addressing the challenges our communities and neighbors are facing as a result of the recession.

Oregon Thrives, along with many of our partners are pleased to bring Patrick Bresette of Demos to Oregon.  Please join us as we hear more about the work of Demos and learn from their research about communications.   We will talk specifically about the budget and what advocates have done in other states to move forward in these tough times, and what messages, values and themes resonate with voters and Legislators. We’ll even send you out with talking points about the budget and protecting those most impacted by the economic downturn.

We will also hear an update on the Oregon Thrives legislative agenda and hear updates on the political landscape.  We’ll have time for discussion, so please come prepared to share more about your work this legislative session.

On the agenda:

Welcome and Introductions

Overview of Oregon Thrives and Update on the Oregon Thrives Legislative Agenda

Oregon Legislature & Budget Update

Wisdom and Sources of Optimism, Patrick Bresette of Demos

Questions and Discussion

RSVP today to Gail!  gail@caporegon.org or 503-316-3951

On Monday, February 14, one hundred and fifty advocates and partners from all parts of the state gathered in Salem at the State Capitol to celebrate Valentine’s Day and the State’s Birthday.  Oregon Thrives and its partners joined together to thank legislators for their service to Oregonians and delivered valentines.  We met individually with nearly three quarters of our State Legislators, and shared our vision of Oregon.

Oregon Thrives’ main message was that a variety of issues impact our communities, and these issues are interconnected and interwoven. This message in particular seemed to resonate with legislators who are grappling with a budget shortfall of over $3.5 Billion for this biennium.  We spread the message that Oregon Thrives envisions an Oregon with healthy and prosperous communities in which everyone has access to family wage jobs, quality education, nutritious food, stable homes and services that promote health and wellness.  Oregon Thrives believes that in the coming legislative session, we must deal with the state budget in a way that protects those most affected by the economic downturn while building jobs and pathways out of poverty to help families that are struggling. By thinking strategically about critical public investments that can be made to help families meet their basic expenses and build opportunities for their future, Oregon Thrives believes that we can improve economic stability for our families, our communities and our state.

Over lunch, attendees were joined by Senators Diane Rosenbaum and Frank Morse and by Representatives Dennis Richardson and Peter Buckley.  Senators Rosenbaum and Morse spoke about human services funding in this biennium. Representatives Buckley and Richardson talked about budget realities.

Have a Heart Day was a huge success, and we were so happy to partner with Oregon Thrives for this great event.  To learn more, you can listen to a radio show about the day, or check out the Oregon Thrives agenda.  The agenda is broad and includes a wide variety of items which are critical to the future of our state.  Agenda items range from issues impacting housing and homeownership to education to food security to community accountability.  Oregon Thrives members include Community Action Partnership of Oregon, Neighborhood Partnerships, the Oregon Food Bank, Partners for a Hunger Free Oregon, and others.

February 14, 2011 is Valentine’s Day and Oregon’s birthday! Demonstrate your love for Oregon by joining the Oregon Housing Alliance and Oregon Thrives for “Have a Heart Day” in Salem.  We all have a stake in addressing the problems our communities and neighbors are facing as a result of the recession. Please join us to speak to our legislators about the problems we face and how the prolonged recession has left our neighbors at risk of foreclosure or even homelessness.

We’re joining with Oregon Thrives and will meet in Salem at the State Capitol to thank and support our legislators for continuing to “Have a Heart.”  We all understand that housing gives people an opportunity to build better lives and this is our chance to talk to those who represent us in Salem that share these values, but may need a little encouragement.

We’ll convene at 8 am for coffee and rolls, pick up legislative materials, and fill out valentines. We’ll begin promptly at 8:30 for a brief welcome, and a review of legislative materials for meetings. Then we’ll receive expert advice on how to express ourselves effectively in the meetings, and we’ll practice our message of the day to make sure we’re heard loud and clear.

For the rest of the morning and the afternoon, we’ll be sharing our values and vision for Oregon with our state legislators.  We’ll have a room open during the visits for check-in, reports, filling out thank you cards, or to just catch your breath.

Come join the Oregon Housing Alliance and Oregon Thrives for Have a Heart Day on February 14, 2011.

RSVP today to Alison, amcintosh@neighborhoodpartnerships.org, or 503.226.3001 x107.  Need a ride to Salem? Let us know.