The last six months have been excruciating. As we battle a pandemic, white supremacy, an increasingly divided political environment, and wildfires, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. When things feel out of control, it can make a big difference to focus on the things you can control. Here are some things you can do:
Voting is one of the most important things you will do in 2020. The local and national elections this November will have a huge impact on the future of Multnomah County and the nation. Voting is an important way to hold our elected officials accountable. It is a privilege our ancestors fought and died for. It is a privilege Black, Indigenous, and People of Color and women worked especially hard to get. Your vote is powerful, and it matters. Please don’t waste that power by not voting.
Especially because registering is quick and easy! You can register to vote if you are a U.S. citizen, are 18 or older, and live in Oregon. (Though you don’t need a permanent address in order to vote.)
Helpful Voter Registration Links
November 2020 Election Important Dates
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9/21 Absentee ballots available in the Elections Office
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10/13 Voter registration deadline
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10/14 Ballots begin to be mailed
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10/27 Last day to safely mail your ballot
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11/3 Ballots due at drop-off sites by 8pm
Read on to meet our interns, learn about auditing police data, and how you can apply to serve on the new Auditor’s Community Advisory Committee.
Best,
Jennifer
New Committee: Multnomah County Auditor’s Community Advisory Committee
I’m seeking five community members to serve on a new Community Advisory Committee. The Community Advisory Committee provides guidance directly to the County Auditor; it is not a decision-making body. Community Advisory Committee members are considered to be public officials. (Training on being a public official will be included as part of the on-boarding process of new committee members.)
The Auditor’s Community Advisory Committee is a purely advisory body that will be responsible for:
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Learning about the County Auditor’s roles, as established in County Charter, including learning about the opportunities and challenges the Auditor faces in fulfilling these roles;
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Providing suggestions and comments on the annual audit plan prior to the Auditor finalizing the audit plan;
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Providing suggestions and guidance for the community engagement aspects of performance audits;
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Providing suggestions and guidance to the Auditor on the office’s work to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion concepts into audits.
Qualifications:
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Members of the Auditor’s Community Advisory Committee must reside in Multnomah County.
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Knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion best practices is desired.
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Knowledge of community engagement best practices is desired.
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Knowledge of government performance auditing is desired, but not required.
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Multnomah County employees or employees of any organization providing or bidding upon audit contract services are not eligible for membership on the Committee.
Meetings will be held quarterly. Committee members will be paid a small stipend. Children are welcome at committee meetings and I’ll be providing parking/TriMet pass reimbursement.
Deadline to apply:
All applications must be submitted by 11:59pm on Monday, November 30, 2020.
Apply to serve on the Auditor's Community Advisory Committee
Using Data to End Police Violence
Auditors love data. Data provides us with the verifiable evidence needed to shine a light on what is and is not working in governments and institutions. Data helps auditors contribute to increasing accountability and transparency as it relates to racial justice in our communities. This month members of my staff and I participated in a training led by Samuel Sinyangwe and hosted by the Association of Local Government Auditors on using data to end police violence. Data can help us answer questions such as, how often are residents killed by police? Where are the number of deaths increasing or decreasing? This training will help my staff and me to use controls and accountability measures in our audits that ultimately help reduce law enforcement violence.
Meet our Interns
During this past fiscal year, my office launched an internship program for students seeking to fulfill college internship requirements. Our interns are earning college credit, as well as small stipends. In return, we have been benefiting from their research and analysis. We love to host students who have personal, professional and/or lived experience with communities typically underrepresented in government leadership, who bring a commitment to transparency, accountability, and working across difference; and who have a sincere interest in public service.
