New Public Policy Placement Program begins March 2008
The National Policy Consensus Center (NPCC) will kick off a new internship program March 28 with a three day training in public policy collaborative processes.  University students who complete the course will be placed in public policy projects of NPCC's Oregon Solutions and the Oregon Consensus Program (OCP), where they will be mentored by experienced mediators and facilitators. Development of the placement program is being funded through gifts from the Lezak Legacy Project, the Northwest Institute for Conflict Resolution and the University of Oregon School of Law.  The initial stage of the project is accepting only students from the University of Oregon School of Law, the Portland State University Masters in Conflict Resolution Program and the University of Oregon Masters in Conflict Resolution Program.

OCP facts and figures
At the request of OCP's network of private conflict resolution specialists, OCP has published a list of all OCP projects completed or underway since OCP's inception in 2003 through December 31, 2007. The list details funding received per project, expenditures for contracted mediation and facilitation services, and names of contracted service providers or OCP Program Managers assigned to the case. In 23% of all cases during that time period, OCP employed outside providers of conflict resolution services. (Note that half of OCP Program Manager salaries are funded out of OCP fees for services.) Click here for the OCP Funding and Service Provider Report (pdf). We would appreciate your feedback about whether the information is useful to you and whether you would like additional information. Contact OCP.

OCP prospective RFP for mediators and facilitators
OCP's network of private conflict resolution specialists has provided valuable input on how OCP might develop a process to pre-contract with mediators and facilitators who serve on OCP projects. OCP has slowed development of a Request for Proposal (RFP) to allow for more contracting experience, and to accommodate OCP staff changes and program development.  The RFP is targeted for completion in fall 2008. Keep in touch, and keep sending your ideas for a process that will work well for service providers!

Project news

West Eugene Collaborative
The West Eugene Collaborative (WEC) is composed of roughly 30 civic leaders—community and neighborhood members, government agency representatives, business leaders, and environmental leaders—who   have gathered over the last 15 months, with support from the City of Eugene, to discuss transportation and land use in West Eugene and nearby communities. OCP is providing technical assistance to the WEC and neutral facilitation services through The Osprey Group.

West Eugene has a history of transportation problems. However, a cohesive vision for West Eugene has never been developed, as illustrated by the history of the West Eugene Parkway project. More than two decades ago, development of the West Eugene Parkway was proposed to relieve congestion from through traffic on West 11th Street and to provide better freight access to Eugene industrial areas. The parkway project languished in the development stage for more than 20 years. Though approved by public vote twice, the project faced a roller coaster of support and opposition from elected officials. In July 2006, the Oregon Department of Transportation suspended all work on the parkway due to lack of local political support for the project.

The objective of the WEC is to develop an integrated land use and transportation solution supported by a broad coalition of diverse stakeholders that will facilitate movement of people and commerce in and through West Eugene while enhancing community, business and the environment. With funding from individuals, organizations and local government, and in-kind professional support, WEC has made significant progress toward accomplishing this objective, including:

• Developing broad membership, a purpose statement and budget
• Gathering background information
• Creating operating agreements, goals, principles and evaluation measures
• Securing funding for initial consensus decision making
• Galvanizing historically strained relationships between members

The WEC is poised to move forward in spring 2008 to identify and evaluate alternatives, and will publish recommendations in December 2008. For more information see West Eugene Collaborative or contact Gail McEwen, OCP Community Development Program Manager at mceweng@pdx.edu

OCP staff news

OCP Director retiring. OCP Director Elaine Hallmark has announced plans to retire partially in June 2008 or when her replacement is found. OCP is actively recruiting for a new director.  Elaine will continue to work part time directing the NPCC Public Policy Placement Program.  "It has been a wonderful time for me to help get the Oregon Consensus Program going at Portland State University, and I look forward to another exciting experience training and mentoring newcomers into this field," said Elaine.

New OCP Program Coordinator. OCP Coordinator Heather Binns moved into a newly-created position as Contracts and Budget Coordinator for the National Policy Consensus Center last fall.  Heather continues to coordinate OCP contracts, so many of you will continue to work with her. Cat McGinnis began as the OCP Program Coordinator in January.  Cat has considerable experience managing and coordinating programs and projects, writing and editing materials and doing public outreach.  Cat has jumped right in to be a valuable member of our team.

New Natural Resources Program Manager. Turner Odell joined OCP on a temporary basis in 2007 to assist in identifying and assessing natural resource projects.  Turner was so successful in launching new projects that OCP created a full-time Natural Resources Program Manager position. Turner successfully competed for and has been appointed to the new position. Turner is an attorney and mediator with more than 15 years experience in environmental and natural resource law and regulation.  His prior experience includes litigation, administrative practice, agency negotiations, as well as mediation of complex, multiparty environmental issues.

Community Development and Human Services moving forward. Community Development Program Manager Gail McEwen and Human Services Program Manager Laurel Singer continue to serve OCP part time. Both are making great strides at developing projects and building relationships in their program areas.

Oregon Consensus News is published quarterly by the Oregon Consensus Program in the National Policy Consensus Center, Mark O. Hatfield School of Government, Portland State University • Post Office Box 751 • 506 SW Mill Street • Room 780G • Portland • Oregon • 97207-0751 • Phone (503) 725-9070 • Fax (503) 725-9099 • E-mail consensus@pdx.edu • www.orconsensus.pdx.edu •