CIC Traveling Education and Recruitment Campaign

About the Program

Category: Volunteers (Best in Category)

Year: 2013

The Multnomah County Citizen Involvement Committee (CIC) is composed of 15 volunteers who seek to enhance opportunities for citizen participation in county decision-making. The CIC assigned support staff from the County’s Office of Citizen Involvement (OCI) to create and facilitate a countywide “traveling education and recruitment campaign”. The campaign involves staff (and CIC members) at non-traditional events throughout Multnomah County. Non-traditional events provide an avenue to reach residents who are not already involved with county affairs. Event attendees frequently don’t know the county exists or what programs and services the county provides, much less how to engage with county government. Campaign participants talk with people about what the county does, answer questions and provide information about county services and volunteer opportunities. Since the program began staff has engaged in discussions with over 600 people at 32 events. In addition, over 270 people have requested additional information about county programs and volunteer opportunities. New members for various advisory committees have also been recruited. Beyond staff time, the costs are minimal. Volunteers enrich this program—from committee members who attend events to talk about their engagement to event managers who voluntarily provide table space at no charge.