About the Charter Review Committee
Multnomah County’s Charter requires that a Charter Review Committee (CRC) made up of community members be convened every six years to perform a comprehensive study of the charter. The CRC’s goal is to assess whether there are changes to the charter it thinks would better align it with those values and needs. If the CRC believes changes are needed, it can propose Charter amendments that the Board will submit to the voters of Multnomah County to decide via ballot.
The ultimate goal of the Charter Review Committee (CRC) is to comprehensively study the charter and to draft a final report to the people of Multnomah County and the Board of County Commissioners with their findings, conclusions, and recommendations, including any amendments they propose to the charter at least 95 days before the primary of general election of 2028. The study of the charter could include consulting subject-matter experts and the public. The CRC evaluates their findings to identify any potential improvements or changes. The CRC will report to the people and the Board their findings, conclusions, and recommendations at least 95 days before the primary or general election of 2028. While Multnomah County offers small stipends for reimbursements associated with participation, the Charter Review Committee member role is voluntary and unpaid.
Time Commitment
Serving on the Charter Review Committee (CRC) is a significant commitment. Membership involves about 18 months of service with the meeting schedule and frequency determined by the CRC members. In the past, the CRC has typically met once or twice a month for two hours in the evening, and included additional time participating in subcommittee meetings. In addition, there is an expectation that CRC members will likely spend five to 12 hours a month outside of meetings to read reports, study the current county charter, engage the public, and prepare draft recommendations.
The CRC will kick off in February 2027 with a weekend orientation and onboarding retreat, and convene its first general meeting in March 2027. The CRC will present its findings and proposed amendments to the Board of County Commissioners in the spring or fall of 2028. Proposed changes will appear on the 2028 primary and/or general election ballot.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Attend Meetings: Attendance is required for regular monthly committee meetings and subcommittee meetings. Meetings are often held on weekday evenings.
- Conduct Research: Significant time is spent outside of meetings reading reports, studying materials including the current county charter, as well as preparing draft observations, findings, and questions.
- Public Input: Members are expected to consult subject matter experts and the public through activities like: open hearings, community meetings, focus groups, interviews, and other civic inquiry methods to expand their understanding of issues and inform their decisions.
- Representation: CRC members are expected to engage with the broader community and listen to diverse perspectives. CRC members also accept that this is a public facing role and may attract public and media attention.
- Ethics: Once appointed, CRC members are public officials for purposes of state ethics law and must comply with those laws, including disclosing any potential or actual conflicts of interest.
- Collaboration: Appointed community members are expected to work collaboratively throughout the Charter Review process. This includes being open minded, active listening, problem solving, participating in discussions, and supporting the engagement of other CRC members.
Eligibility and Member Selection
Only electors of Multnomah County are eligible to serve on the Charter Review Committee (CRC). Electors are qualified to vote in Multnomah County elections. Learn more about eligibility to vote in Oregon.
Applicants must be residents of a Multnomah County district. Four committee members and one alternate will be selected from each district. Districts can be determined by searching an address in this interactive map.
The following persons are not eligible for appointment to the committee: state senators and state representatives who represent districts located in Multnomah County, the Chair and members of the Board of County Commissioners serving at the time of appointment, people younger than 18, and people who are not citizens. State, County and other local government employees are eligible.
Ideal Candidates
Multnomah County is looking for applicants that reflect the contributions.
- Knowledge of Multnomah County: knowledge of governance including roles of County officials; function of County programs and services, and relationship to other jurisdictions
- Understanding of charter review process: understanding scope of work and charter review process, approach to process (study and inquiry), participant expectations (commitment and responsibilities), comfort with high-profile projects (media and public)
- History of community involvement: participation in formal/informal community groups, experience working with others on local community issues and across differences, demonstrated history of collaboration
- Communities served: lived and learned experience with communities most impacted by Multnomah County’s programs and services
- Mission and values: alignment with County values like accountability, social and environmental justice, equity and inclusion, safety and wellbeing as foundational to Multnomah County's mission to provide accessible, high-quality, and innovative public services that create stability, enhance opportunities, and reduce disparities
- Civic inquiry oriented: interest, comfort, and experience with community-led inquiry (qualitative and participatory): commitment to hearing other perspectives, working with others to examine multi-issue problems, identifying pressing community needs, and determining what may be addressed through charter reform
How to Apply
To complete an application in English log into Better Impact and either create a new account or start the CRC application in your existing account. Applications in Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, and large print English will be available as PDF documents to download. Contact the Office of Community Involvement for additional translations. Applications will be accepted online through Better Impact as well as over email, postal mail, and in person.
Click here to apply using Better Impact (preferred)
Translations in Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Simplified Chinese coming soon. Additional languages available upon request.
About the Application
Applications are due by 11:59pm on October 1st, 2026.
There are two parts of the application. Both parts of the application must be submitted in order to be considered for the CRC committee.
If you apply using a paper application (above) the document includes both parts in one document. If you apply using a Better Impact account there are two parts to the application.
- Part 1: Submit general information in the portal.
- Part 2: Once submitted, you will receive an email link to a survey form (only works with a Better Impact account) to complete short essay questions. The survey form does not save your work - we recommend drafting your answers in a document and copy-pasting your answers into the form when you are ready.
Essay Questions (part 2): Suggested word counts do not reflect the importance of answers; all questions are weighed evenly.
- Genuine interest in the project goals are important to the committee's success. Tell us about your interest - why do you want to serve on the 2027-2028 Charter Review Committee? (50 WORDS)
- Knowledge of Multnomah County provides a foundational entry point into evaluating complex charter topics regarding governance, role of elected officials, county functions, programs, services, and the county’s relationship to other jurisdictions. From your perspective, what are the current challenges facing Multnomah County and what does the county do well? (100 WORDS)
- A general understanding of the charter review process, scope of work, and role of committee ensures CRC members can effectively manage project demands, expectations, and responsibilities. Describe a time you maintained a personal high-level, long-term commitment (1–2+ years) to a complex project or volunteer role and how that experience prepares you for the charter review process. (150 WORDS)
- Serving on the CRC requires members to learn new and complex charter topics. Imagine investigating a topic you don’t know much about. What feels like the biggest hurdle and what would you look forward to? (100 WORDS)
- Community involvement plays an essential role in the charter review process. Prior experience participating in formal / informal groups, working with others on local community issues, and collaborating across differences ensures CRC members can successfully support an inclusive committee process. Share about time you organized with your community/ies on a local problem - what issue(s) did you address, how did you work across differences, and what key lessons did you learn. (200 WORDS)
- Lived and learned experience with communities most impacted by Multnomah County’s programs and services ensures CRC members can produce equitable and effective charter recommendations. Share about your lived and learned experience of social and economic inequalities including how your background (personal, professional, familial) informs your worldview and the perspective you would bring to the county charter review process. (200 WORDS)
- County values like accountability, social and environmental justice, equity and inclusion, and safety and wellbeing - are foundational to Multnomah County's mission to provide accessible, high-quality, and innovative public services that create stability, enhance opportunities, and reduce disparities. Grounding the charter review process in county values ensures CRC efforts contribute to an accountable government that addresses inequities and provides essential services to all residents. How do you envision incorporating county values into your work as a CRC member? (100 WORDS)
- Civic inquiry is a fundamental approach to this project. Interest and comfort with community-led inquiry ensures CRC members can successfully work together to examine multi-issue problems, identify pressing community needs, and determine what may be addressed through charter reform. As a CRC member, how would you balance your own personal perspectives with the findings from public input? In addition, if there are conflicting opinions on the committee, how would you work with other CRC members to achieve the committees’ purpose of producing recommended amendments for charter reform. (150 WORDS)
Get Support
Learn more and get help completing your application in person and at virtual information sessions starting August 2026. Please contact the Office of Community Involvement at least 48 hours in advance to arrange interpretation.
Details including locations and times coming soon!
If you have questions or would like assistance with the application, please email community.involvement@multco.us or leave a voicemail at 503-988-3450 (ext. 83450)