Strengthening partnership between community and government 

Resulting in the best decisions for all of Portland

The Public Involvement Best Practices Program is a Citywide program that provides strategic advisement and consulting to bureaus in the conceptualization, development, evaluation, and improvement of public involvement processes, policies, and practices. It's built upon the principles of participatory democracy and self-determination; those most impacted by something should be at the table shaping decisions about it. It's focused on shifting the culture and practice of City government by building capacity for and institutionalizing best practices. It's committed to the inclusion of communities of color and immigrant and refugee communities in these conversations and processes. When evaluating a project or initiative, success is measured in terms of change or outcomes achieved, a deeper understanding of and commitment to public involvement.

The Public Involvement Best Practices Program provides staffing support to the Public Involvement Advisory Council (PIAC), an official City Board/Commission comprised of City bureau staff and diverse community leaders. PIAC was established in 2008 to advise on and develop tools to help bureau staff engage with the public in meaningful and effective ways. The Public Involvement Best Practices Program also supports the Citywide Public Involvement Network (CPIN), a group of public involvement professionals who convene to address shared issues, discuss strategies and examples of success, and move the work forward.