LWVPDX Interest Groups

Interest Groups are groups of members who get together to learn more about a particular topic of concern. The topic may already be part of the League’s portfolio. However, it also may be in an area of interest that could lead to a new study or review. Interest Groups must be approved by the LWVPDX Board, in order to do their work in the name of the League. The primary purpose is learning together. These groups are more informal than League study committees. Currently, the League has interest groups on Education, Housing, and Justice. With board approval, Interest Groups may work with the Action Committee to propose topics for advocacy.  Interest Groups report regularly to the LWVPDX Board and membership about their activities.

Current LWV of Portland Interest Groups

Behavioral Health Interest Group: The interest group identifies itself as the Behavioral Health Interest Group (BHIG) because “behavioral health” is now used as the umbrella term for mental
health issues and substance abuse disorders. The idea for the BHIG originated in one of the LWVPDX’s Program Planning sessions in January, 2024. During the next few months, participants discussed why they were interested in this topic; reviewed unmet needs; checked what the local and national positions stated and whether they could be used, or (alternatively) were there other positions to concur with; and identified other states’ positions to look at. No one state had a position that was thought appropriate for concurrence, so the group identified some major issues with local systems that they could look at. The continuing question was whether a study might be done. The group was officially approved by the Board in mid-2024.

The BHIG exists to identify gaps in the existing services in Multnomah County for children, adolescents and adults with behavioral and mental health problems and substance use disorders, and to determine if there are gaps in LWVPDX’s advocacy positions which might warrant doing a study. The group is currently focused on identifying gaps in services to adolescents and in studying programs or curricula that may be useful in filling those service gaps. The group may identify other programs they wish to present information to League members in an effort to reveal potential areas for advocating for more services.

Education Interest Group (EIG): This interest group has started up again after a pause during the pandemic. In the past, the group visited schools and interviewed school administrators. The group organized a program on Innovations in Education with administrators from three districts for a LWVPDX public Community Education event.  During 2023-24 the EIG presented a Community Education Program related to challenges for Portland Public Schools due to declining funding, changes in leadership, behavioral health, and student absenteeism.

Currently the group is involved in data analysis regarding school funding and student performance.  Attention is being paid to the upcoming state legislature’s education funding bills and the implementation of the new Oregon law on civics education. Members continue to plan for Community Education events about topics such as the University of Oregon’s program for PPS and other districts at the Balmer Institute which is focused on child and adolescent mental health at its new north Portland campus. Other topics include school safety, curriculum decisions and staffing decisions made by PPS in the past or in the coming year..

Housing Interest Group (HIG): The Housing Interest Group has been listening to speakers about increasing the availability of affordable housing in Portland. They also are considering possible solutions to homelessness.

At a recent 2023 meeting, Marc Jolin spoke about his life-long work to reduce homelessness.  Marc resigned recently as head of the Portland Joint Office of Homeless Services. 

International Relations Interest Group (IRIG): The IRIG focuses on education related to current topics exploring the LWVUS position “to promote peace in an interdependent world, working cooperatively with other nations and international bodies.” By learning more, members may advocate as individuals more effectively with elected officials.

IRIG was created in 2024 when members suggested in a Program Planning meeting that it would be a good idea to learn more about international issues facing the country. In 2024-25, participants read The Road to Unfreedom by Timothy Snyder, held a forum about international immigration, learned about the LWVUS & the UN Commission on the Status of Women, heard about labor rights and international trade, learned about Green Empowerment (a Portland-based 501c3), and hosted a Community Education panel about “Humanitarian Impacts of National Immigration Policy.”

Topics for 2025-26 include US international policies, discussion about Autocracy Inc by Anne Applebaum, diplomacy in Southeast Asia, marine issues, reproductive justice, and population growth & decline topics. All members are welcome to join our monthly zoom meetings.

Justice Interest Group: The Justice Interest Group previously worked with the LWV of Oregon Action Committee to advocate for improvements in juvenile justice. The group proposed the recent study of Portland Police Bureau: Oversight and Accountability. Some members of the group were members of the study committee. Now, this Interest Group is working with the LWVPDX Action Committee.  Using our new advocacy position, they propose testimony about improving public safety and police interactions with the community.

At a recent meeting, the Justice Interest Group heard from Mike Myers, the City of Portland’s first community safety transition director.  Mila Mimica, communication aide, also attended this meeting. Mike has been working alongside Council offices, community leaders, Portland Fire & Rescue, the Portland Police Bureau, the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management, and the Bureau of Emergency Communications to co-create a community safety strategic plan.

Portland City Government Transition Interest Group (PGIG): In 2023 and 2024, the LWVPDX Know Your New Government (KYNG) team ran a community education program about our radically transformed City government. We explained that we now have 12 councilors, elected in districts, who no longer run city bureaus; that the council now elects its own presiding officers; that the mayor and his appointed city administrator have exclusive executive authority for running the city’s day to day operations; and much, much more.

Now that the new government is up and running, we’re looking at how well it is advancing the goals set out in the Charter Amendment adopted in 2023, and in reaching the desired outcomes LWVPDX set out in its 2019 Restudy of Portland’s City Government, “The City that Works: Preparing Portland for the Future.”

We have spent 100s of hours watching the council and its committees in action. When appropriate, we share our thoughts, in the form of League advocacy, with our elected and appointed officials.

Two more LWVPDX Interest Groups are currently dormant, if you have interest in restarting them reach out to info@lwvpdx.org:

• Education Interest Group
• Housing Interest Group