What We Do

City Club of Portland aims to inform and engage its members and the community about civic affairs.  Through weekly Friday Forums, citizen-based research reports and other programs the Club examines issues of importance to the Portland metropolitan region, the state and society as a whole.

From Crisis to Opportunity: Exploring Solutions to Oregon’s Fiscal Challenges

On March 4, Governor John Kitzhaber kicked off City Club’s Premier Issue series, From Crisis to Opportunity: Exploring Solutions to Oregon’s Fiscal Challenges. This series challenged conventional political wisdom and explored genuinely innovative and long-term solutions to Oregon’s fiscal crisis. This series was part of City Club’s larger strategic planning efforts, which involved coordinating programs to enhance the Club’s impact on local and state policy issues.

This spring, a Research study committee published a report on Oregon’s Public Employee Retirement System, and each of City Club’s event committees addressed fiscal issues through a variety of programs.
 
Friday Forums included:
 
• April 8: Driving the Oregon Economy
• May 6: Ensuring Stable and Adequate Revenue
• May 20: Reimagining Public Services Delivery in Oregon

Click on the links above to watch the Forums online.
 
The Agora committee hosted panel discussions on ways to improve public service delivery in three key areas:
 
• April 26 - Oregon Fiscal Health and the Health of Oregonians
• May 4 - Public Education in Oregon: Achieving Our Goals
• May 18 - Public Safety Spending in Oregon: Tough Questions, Tougher Choices
 
New Leaders Council offered two interactive programs:
 
• March 29 - Can YOU Balance the Oregon Budget?
• May 14 - Lents Neighborhood Tour: Economic Development Successes and Challenge