Member Profile: Adam Davis

Photo by Cheryl Juetten

“Seeing the beta-version of City Club’s dynamic and user-friendly new website was extremely rewarding. It will  increasingly be the Club’s face to the membership and the rest of the world.”

Adam first joined City Club as a high-school student, when a teacher sponsored him for membership.

How do you participate in City Club?
I feel engaged simply by being a member and knowing that my annual membership fee and Leadership Circle donation help support an institution critical to Portland’s civic health. I’ve served on committees and the Board of Governors, but it’s knowing that I’m helping in a small way with my money to increase public awareness, knowledge and participation in the future of our City that is most important to me.

Why do you volunteer your time and talents to this organization?
My work partners — Tim Hibbitts and Su Midghall — and I continue to see a decreasing level of awareness and knowledge about the ABC’s of government and how the public sector contributes to the quality of life we enjoy in this city. Young people are not getting the information at home, at school or through the media. Organizations like City Club are needed to fight against this.

How has your perspective/opinion changed due to your participation in City Club?
For me it is seeing the young people becoming involved in City Club and demonstrating smarts and leadership. In my business — doing public opinion surveys and focus groups — you can get discouraged, even cynical, about government, politics and the future of our society. What I’m seeing on the Board and in committees from young members gives me optimism and a sense of hope that this City will be in good hands moving forward into this new century.