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Collective Action

Oregon Solutions

Together Communities Prosper

Oregon Solutions works with communities around the state to build collaborative efforts that implement solutions to local and statewide challenges.

We want to hear from you!

Who we are

Oregon Solutions is Oregon’s state program for collaborative problem solving. We are a team of process experts, skilled in bringing multiple groups together to solve problems collaboratively.

Meet Our Team

What we do

We create a space where people can connect with one another, get to the heart of the issue, and contribute to sustainable solutions that support the state as a whole and local communities in Oregon.

We facilitate collaborative governance, a process that invites groups from multiple sectors—government, business, nonprofit, community organizations—to come together and agree upon actions to solve a problem or improve a situation. We support these groups to work together to define the problem, brainstorm solutions, and decide on next steps. Each group commits to provide services, financial resources, or other actions, and we document these commitments in an action plan signed by all.

How it works

A project champion such as a state senator, city council member, or community leader contacts Oregon Solutions to recommend a project. Oregon Solutions does research to assess the project’s suitability.

Oregon Solutions interviews key parties that have influence or are impacted by the issue. An assessment report is developed that identifies high level themes and recommendations for next steps.

If Oregon Solutions determines that a project is suitable, and the governor approves the project, the governor issues a formal letter of designation and appoints a convener to serve as a an impartial chair of the project team. Oregon Solutions provides a project manager.

Oregon Solutions and the convener bring together a group of stakeholders and other entities. They jointly problem solve. Meetings are chaired by the convener and facilitated by the Oregon Solutions project manager.

Once the group reaches consensus about what to do and how to do it, they sign a Declaration of Cooperation that identifies the specific contributions (of money or action) that each party will make in order to implement the project. The community completes the project based on the commitments that team members have made.

Sample Oregon Solutions Projects

For over 23 years, Oregon Solutions has helped communities all across Oregon implement more than 150 projects addressing education, the economy, natural resources, health care, transportation, energy, and more.

Increasing Early Literacy in Tribal Communities

The Klamath Tribes/Chiloquin Community Early Literacy Project addressed poverty long-term by uniting parents and the community to ensure that local children are ready to read when they enter school.

Sustainably Managing Water in Eastern Oregon

The Columbia River-Umatilla Solutions Taskforce identified ways in which water withdrawals from the Columbia River could benefit fish, farms, and economic development in Eastern Oregon.

Improving Financial Sustainability for Oregon’s Five Technical and Regional Universities

The TRU+ Universities Financial Sustainability project created proof-of-concept investments that would improve their financial sustainability in the face of declining student enrollments and other pressures.

Increasing Workforce and Business Opportunities in Technology

The Regional Accelerator Innovation Network provided a plan for uniting business, communities, government, and higher education to increase technology businesses and jobs in the South Willamette Valley.

Modernizing Levees for Flood Prevention

Levee Ready Columbia identified improvements for modernization and accreditation of the levees.

Developing a Forest Restoration Plan

The Umatilla Forest Collaborative Group developed an implementation plan for a 30,000-acre forest restoration project in the Heppner Ranger District.

Supporting School Recovery After a Flood

Government and community leaders collaborated to secure a site and funding to rebuild Vernonia’s school after a devastating flood.

Find out more

Learn more about how Oregon Solutions collective action works, and read about more projects by visiting the Oregon Solutions website or contacting us at npccdesk@pdx.edu.

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