Responsible Business Practices at Multnomah County are driven by the Triple Bottom Line of Sustainability. The Triple Bottom Line of Sustainability is defined as are practices that are environmentally friendly, socially equitable, and have positive economic impacts for our community. Our vendors are an integral part of the societies and communities in which they operate. Their influence extends to the employees they depend upon, the environment from which they draw their resources and the marketplace in which they participate. Multnomah County seeks to conduct business with vendors who demonstrate responsible business practices through sustainable innovations. We are focused on the triple bottom line of sustainability; environmental considerations, and social equity and economic impact. The Triple Bottom Line provides a framework for all of us to work together to create a stronger community with the goods and services we oversee.
We are providing guidance for proposers and the public to understand what we are looking for economic impacts. Economic impact is defined as The pursuit to create full and equal access to opportunities for all people that enable them to attain their full potential. We pay particular attention to the development of income and wealth for communities most affected by inequities.To address economic impact we want to see how you share your economic opportunities with our community. We want to hear about how your organization takes care of its employees and ensures that service delivery positively impacts the community. We want to see how your organization creates jobs, has diverse employee recruitment, hiring, and retention, and other explain aspects of delivery of services in a culturally responsive manner.
If you are an organization that produces or purchases goods or provides services there are ways to have positive economic impact for our community. As you are evaluating or developing your businesses potential for economic impact we recommend you start with the questions we have provided for you below. If you need further assistance please contact the Sustainable Purchasing Coordinator who can recommend additional resources.
- What economic impact sustainable innovations that are culturally responsive can your agency integrate into the delivery of goods and/or services? We are looking for businesses to demonstrate how they promote local community economically in the areas where they delivery services.
- Please describe the economic impacts does your organization have to offer in the delivery of this service? We are looking to see how service delivery will help the client and community have positive economic impacts. This may include developing a workforce that internally that is from the community, providing services that aid in obtaining job skills, and assisting in building a business community where services are delivered.
- Please include details of job creation and length of the positions (permanent & temporary), skills training, and goods and services purchases locally for a positive impact on economy. We are looking to see if organizations help their employees, clients, and community have a positive impact through job creation, skills training with an emphasis on long term positions. Details on mentorships and internship programs are encouraged.
- Please describe how your service delivery has positive economic impacts for the communities you are serving? We are looking to see how service delivery will help the client and community have positive economic impacts.
- How does your agency improve economic impact by incorporating equity values, manage diversity and systematically involve consumers, families and communities in all aspects of policy and service delivery? We are looking for businesses to demonstrate how equity means providing assistance for individuals in the community they are providing service even on a limited duration. We want to see how community is involved with decisions on how a project moves forward or how flexible a project can be if an issue arises.
- Workplace Improvement through policy and procedure review, updating, and creation. Please describe how employee are part of Quality Improvement of business practices. Please describe how you have an open and collaborative workplace culture which improves economic impacts.
- Do you encourage a healthy workplace with healthy eating, anti-tobacco policies and resources, exercise, flexible work schedules, and compensation that includes professional development opportunities? Wellness initiatives may include, but are not limited to the promotion of healthy eating, exercise, and rest. We are particularly interested in how you positively encourage better behaviors and offer ways to all employees to participate.
You may think you are just providing raw materials or putting up drywall at the County, but how you conduct and develop your business can be the foundation for positive economic impacts in our community.
Here are some additional tools.