Events Archives

Education Innovations Panel

Portland Public Schools Superintendent Guerrero visits with students

Join us September 16!

Come learn about “Innovations in Public Education,” in Portland area schools. On Monday, September 16, we’ll hear from an exciting group of dedicated educators, who have found innovative ways to foster learning and equity for students. The panel discussion will be 7 – 8:30 PM on Monday September 16, at the Multnomah County Boardroom, 501 SE Hawthorne Boulevard, Portland. (See map.)

The panel will include:

Guadalupe Guerrero, Superintendent of Portland Public Schools, the largest and most diverse school district in Oregon. Guerrero was a leader in large urban school systems in San Francisco and Boston.
Matthew Utterback, Superintendent of North Clackamas School District, who was recognized nationally as Superintendent of the Year in 2017
Kevin Bacon, Director of “3 to PhD,” who leads an innovative collaboration between Concordia University and Faubion Public School
Lisa Collins, a consultant at Education Through Engagement, LLC, with expertise on equitable practices for students and educators

The Portland League’s Education Interest Group has helped organize this panel and plan the program.

Director Kevin Bacon explains the Faubion School to the LWVPDX Education Interest Group

Free and open to the public

The League of Women Voters Civic Education programs are free and open to the public. Programs are designed to inform our community about current issues. Please join us for this program and the next program in October on local ballot measures for the November 5, 2019 Special Election.

Parking is available on the street. The Multnomah County Board Room at 501 SE Hawthorne Boulevard also is easily accessed by public transportation. TriMet options include bus lines 4, 6, 10, 14, 15, and the Portland Streetcar.

MetroEast Community Media records these programs for rebroadcast and online streaming from www.lwvpdx.org. The Carol & Velma Saling Foundation has provided funding for the recordings.

Campaign Finance Reform Forums

Are you worried about the influence of BIG money on politics? The League is! Come weigh in on next steps for campaign finance reform in Oregon.

Representative Dan Rayfield, who helped lead the charge for campaign finance reform in the 2019 Legislature, is hosting a series of forums around Oregon.

PORTLAND AREA FORUMS

Tuesday, September 10th, from 7:00-8:30pm
Clackamas Community College, Harmony Community Room–7738 SE Harmony Rd, Milwaukie, OR 97222;
OR Wednesday, September 11th, from 6:00-7:45pm
Midland Library –805 SE 122nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97233

What will be covered

Each forum will include:

a 20-minute presentation on the history and politics of campaign finance reform in Oregon
a 20-minute discussion of the recently passed campaign finance reform legislation
a 40-minute community discussion on various campaign finance limit goals and proposals

Oregon is one of five states without campaign contribution limits.

“We believe this statewide tour will help drive a local conversation about campaign finance reform and keep pressure on the legislature to pass a campaign contribution limits,” said Rebecca Gladstone, President of the League of Women Voters of Oregon.

“We made real progress on campaign finance reform during the session, but it’s not enough,” said Rayfield.“We need to do more in 2020 and I want to hear directly from Oregonians on what they want their campaign finance system to look like.”

see what the League is doing

The League of Women Voters of Portland and the Oregon LWV have filed a “Friend of the Court” brief in the Oregon Supreme Court. It supports the campaign contribution limits passed by voters in Multnomah County. See our earlier post here.

More Events

See the list of Upcoming Events in our sidebar to the right.

August 26 on the Portland Police Association contract
September 16 on Innovations in Education

Vote for US – Book Talk – July 1

Professor Joshua Douglas spoke about his new book on improving voting rights at Powell’s Books on Monday July 1, 7:30 pm.

The Book Talk was co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Portland and the League of Women Voters of Oregon.

About the Book

Told through the stories of those working on voting rights reforms, this book includes chapters on expanding voter eligibility, easing voter registration rules, making voting more convenient, giving redistricting back to the voters, pushing back on big money through local and state efforts, making the system more accountable, and improving civics education.

Thoroughly researched, this book gives anyone fed up with our current politics the ideas and tools necessary to affect change in their own communities.

About the Author

Joshua A. Douglas is a professor at the University of Kentucky College of Law. His most recent work focuses on the constitutional right to vote. He has also written extensively on election law procedure.

June 4, 1:30 PM! Hearing on Climate Change #AllEyesOnJuliana👀

ninth Circuit hearing on climate

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Portland, Oregon heard the constitutional youth climate lawsuit, Juliana v. United States, on June 4, 2019. Counsel for youth plaintiffs, Julia Olson, argued on their behalf and an attorney from the Department of Justice argued on behalf of the federal government. The League of Women Voters supports the young people in their climate lawsuit against the US Government. You can view a recording of the hearing here.

What It’s about

In 2015, 21 young Americans filed a lawsuit ( Juliana v. United States) against the federal government for knowingly contributing to climate change and violating their constitutional rights. The Juliana v. US lawsuit established that young people have a constitutional right to “a climate system capable of sustaining human life.” That right is being violated.

the Portland Rally!

Hundreds of people rallied in Portand and watched a livestream of oral arguments at Director Park in downtown Portland. There was a press conference with the young plaintiffs following the hearing. In March 2019, Multnomah County, OR, filed a brief supporting the plaintiffs. Chair Kafoury and Multnomah Commissioners attended the rally.

The YouTube video of the hearing had 4,890 views by the evening of June 4.

Highlights Video on Working Women’s Rights

Click the arrow to view these Highlights from our March 2019 program on the rights of working women and the challenges they face achieving equity in employment and advancement in their work.

Four women from Oregon organizations discuss barriers and challenges for achieving equity for women in the workplace and what can done to help women thrive at work.