Letter from Our Director: Moving Oregon Toward Authentic Community Engagement

_As a former public servant, I know firsthand the challenges that Oregon policymakers face. Too often, daily pressures can drive even the most well-intentioned among us to make decisions hastily, unilaterally, or based on flawed assumptions about what communities need.

At best, we might conduct a survey; reach out to a handful of leaders we know; hold a public hearing with no room for dialogue; or convene a ‘representative’ task force that must somehow speak for whole communities despite insufficient information and impossible timelines.

We know this is not what real, authentic engagement looks like. And we must recognize how traditional ‘engagement’ can exclude, marginalize, and even traumatize our fellow Oregonians. Policymaking has to welcome all people, no matter their race, ethnicity, language, age, gender identity, disability status, immigration status, socioeconomic status, or zip code.

So what exactly does authentic community engagement mean? Why does it matter? And how do we—as individuals and as a state—begin to do it better? 

Solving complex problems requires true partnership with communities most impacted by inequity and injustice. That’s why, at Foundations for a Better Oregon (FBO), we believe advancing inclusive and participatory decision-making is critical to becoming a state where every child can learn, grow, and thrive.

And while Oregon has a long way to go, we see reason for hope: According to a new FBO research brief, the Student Success Act is helping Oregon learn the transformative power of authentic community engagement. And in the Legislature, state budget drafters have committed to a more open and inclusive process, affirming that “there is no such thing as overcommunication.” 

These are promising steps forward. They’re the result of bold leadership and tireless advocacy over the years. And they’re only the beginning.