Volunteer (Non-Paid) Position - Cully Community Leadership Committee

The Committee’s purpose is to advise City staff, the directors of Prosper Portland and the Portland Housing Bureau, the Portland City Council, and the Prosper Portland Board of Commissioners on the implementation of the Cully TIF District Plan by providing essential guidance, public recommendations, and oversight of the City’s implementation of the TIF Plan. State statute and city code define those who serve on City advisory bodies as public officials, which means members must serve fairly and ethically.

The goals of the Cully TIF District are to:

1. Prevent the displacement of vulnerable people, communities, businesses, and community-based institutions from Cully.
2. Preserve existing opportunities for affordable housing and economic prosperity activities and create new opportunities for vulnerable people and communities, especially Priority Communities* to live, work and thrive in Cully, including those previously displaced.
3. Ensure that current residents benefit from investments and neighborhood change, and that opportunities for housing and economic prosperity activities will be preserved and expanded for future generations.
4. Ensure that Priority Communities play lead roles in decisions about investments and policies that affect them and their communities.
5. Develop and inspire a new model for the creation of future TIF districts in Portland and beyond.

It is important for people who are interested in serving on the Committee to understand and support these goals.

*Priority Communities refers to the intended beneficiaries of the Cully TIF District, which are those who are vulnerable to exclusion from Cully due to gentrification and displacement. We recognize that historically those who suffered displacement have primarily been African American and Black persons; Indigenous and Native American persons; Hispanic and Latinx persons; persons of color; immigrants and refugees of any legal status; renters; mobile home residents; persons with disabilities; low-income people; and houseless people. Nevertheless, TIF investments will be made in compliance with all applicable federal civil rights and nondiscrimination laws. All funding decisions will be made without regard or preference based on protected class status.

Role of the Cully Community Leadership Committee

The Committee will work with City staff, leadership, and other partners in a model of co-creation. Co-creation includes collaborative idea generation as well as equitable participation in discussion. It requires sharing a deep understanding and respect for each other’s positions, power and expertise as proposals and guidance are being developed. Co-creation relies on transparency, technical support, and open communication among all parties.

Committee activities include:

1. Collaboration with City staff to create recommended Cully Five-Year Action Plans, which will guide district investments. Action Plans are essentially the menu of investments and projects that are to be prioritized during the subsequent five-year period.
2. Collaboration with City staff on existing and potential new program offerings for the District, ensuring that all decisions made about use of TIF funds meet the principles outlined in the TIF Plan. TIF funds are usually distributed as part of programs, meaning the Committee will be involved in deciding what those opportunities are. The committee may also review and provide guidance on larger funding opportunities that are not associated with programs, often called funding solicitations.
3. The Committee will provide oversight of the Cully TIF District Plan by advising, providing essential guidance, and making public recommendations regarding implementation of the TIF Plan and Action Plans to City staff, Bureau Directors, City Council, and Prosper Portland Board of Commissioners.
4. Presenting an annual report to City Council regarding the implementation of the District.

Total number of advisory seats: 13

Number of seats available: 7

All Committee members must either live, work, worship, have children enrolled in school, or have been displaced from within the Cully TIF District boundary. 

All committee members are expected to represent the interests of community members vulnerable to displacement within the Cully TIF District boundaries, both current and future generations, rather than their own personal or organizational interests.  

What We Look For

We want people from every part of the Cully TIF District area to share their voice on this committee, especially people who have not been involved before. If you want to serve your community and to help government make better choices, then we want to see your application. The attributes listed below are what will guide our selection process. It is helpful if you are specific in your answers. We do not expect you to be or have everything listed. 

Committee members should be trusted community members who are committed to engagement and communication within the neighborhood.  Awareness of and/or willingness to learn how oppression, economic factors, and environmental factors (pollution, excessive heat or cold, etc.) contribute to displacement is important to the success of the anti-displacement goals of the Cully TIF District.

Committee members should have a range of experience and knowledge to inform implementation of the TIF Plan, drawing from life experiences, community connections and leadership, education, and professional experience. 

Knowledge, and/or experience (lived or professional) in the following areas will be particularly helpful for the work of the committee: affordable housing; environmental sustainability; small business; workforce development; community engagement; real estate development; banking and/or access to capital; cultural institutions; community organizing and advocacy; or education and training.

Time Commitment

We Remove Barriers

Let us know if there are barriers to your participation. Dinner will be provided at evening meetings. Public transportation or parking passes will be available if you need those to fully participate.

Volunteer Ethics

People who join this committee will become what we call “Public Officials,” which means that while you serve you must behave fair and ethically. We will provide training on this once you are accepted. Part of following Public Officials Ethics laws means you must tell the group when you or a relative may financially benefit (or avoid fees) by your recommendations. This is called a “Conflict of Interest.” If you tell us about potential Conflicts of Interest that does not mean you cannot serve, in fact, many committees have potential members with Conflicts of Interest. We appreciate your ethical inclusion of possible Conflicts of Interest on the form included in the application.

To talk with someone about this opportunity or to receive assistance completing the application, please contact Kathryn Hartinger (she/her) at Prosper Portland, [email protected] or Angela Nguyen-Ta at Prosper Portland, [email protected]

Voluntary & Confidential Demographic Information

The City is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity. Completing the demographic information on the application is voluntary, but we encourage you to provide that information. Your information will not be used during the recruitment nor the selection process. State and federal law prohibit use of this information to discriminate against you. Questions about this may be sent to [email protected]

General Questions

For general questions about the City of Portland's Advisory Bodies program, the recruitment process, or other upcoming advisory body opportunities, please email [email protected]. 

We Encourage You to Apply

This is a joint advisory body of both the Portland Housing Bureau and Prosper Portland. We welcome you to browse our websites to learn more about us.