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Background | Statutory Responsibilities | Staff | Funding | Partnerships | OC Statement on Impartiality
Background
In 2003 the Oregon Legislature transferred to the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government at Portland State University the functions of the former Oregon Dispute Resolution Commission (ODRC) relating to assisting public agencies to incorporate alternative dispute resolution practices. The Hatfield School established Oregon Consensus (OC) within the National Policy Consensus Center (NPCC) to carry out these functions.
The ODRC was created by statute in 1989 and had initiated a Public Policy Dispute Resolution Program (PPDRP) shortly after it was formed with the assistance of a grant from the National Institute for Dispute Resolution. From 1990 to 2003 the PPDRP helped resolve hundreds of complex and difficult public policy controversies.
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Statutory Responsibilities for Oregon Consensus (as the designated program for the Hatfield School of Government)
Operate a program to provide mediation and other ADR services to public bodies and their constituents
ORS 36.179 provides: “The Mark O. Hatfield School of Government shall establish and operate a program to provide mediation and other alternative dispute resolution services to public bodies, as defined by ORS 174.109, and to persons who have disputes with public bodies, as defined by ORS 174.109.”
Consult with State Agencies and Department of Justice on the use of ADR
ORS 183.502 (2) provides for state agencies to inform and consult with the Hatfield School (OC) (and others) on developing a policy or program for implementation of alternative means of dispute resolution; section (3) provides for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to consult with OC on developing for agencies model rules for implementation of alternative means of dispute resolution; and, section (6) provides for OC, DOJ and the Department of Administrative Services to work cooperatively in designing the OC program, to enter into an interagency agreement, and for OC to notify DOJ of any specific proposal to provide dispute resolution services to a state agency.
Collaborate to increase the use of alternative dispute resolution to resolve disputes involving the State of Oregon
ORS 183.502 (5) requires OC, the Department of Justice, the Department of Administrative Services and the Governor to collaborate to increase the use of alternative dispute resolution to resolve disputes involving the State of Oregon.
Consult on rules relating to mediation and arbitration of disputes over archaeological permits and disposition of human skeletal remains or burial goods.
Pursuant to ORS 390.240, OC consults with the State Parks and Recreation Commission and the governing bodies of the Oregon Indian Tribes on rules related to mediation and arbitration of such disputes.
Consult with Agriculture Department on Farm Mediation
The Department of Agriculture is required under ORS 21.480(5) to consult with OC in establishing and operating mediation programs funded under that statute, which do not include individual farm credit mediations.
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Staff
Click here for Staff Profiles
Oregon Consensus is staffed by NPCC's Deputy Director of Oregon Programs (including Oregon Consensus and Oregon Solutions), Steve Greenwood, Program Coordinator Cat McGinnis and several Program Managers. Former Oregon Consensus Director Elaine Hallmark currently serves as Senior Associate of Oregon Consensus.
Oregon Consensus is a program of the National Policy Consensus Center (NPCC), NPCC Director, Greg Wolf.
Oregon Consensus uses private neutrals to carry out the bulk of the services it provides. These neutrals are experienced and trained in the particular fields being addressed, meet certain standards and have developed an agreement to work with the program for purposes of quality control and case evaluation. For more on the Oregon Consensus roster of mediators click here.
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Funding
Oregon Consensus is partially funded by the Oregon State Legislature. Additional funding comes from fees for services, agreements with agencies, foundation grants, and contributions from parties involved in various processes.
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Partnerships
Oregon Consensus works in partnership with others to increase the use and effectiveness of collaborative approaches to public issues. Some of our partners have included:
National Policy Consensus Center - to develop and pilot collaborative models that may be used in other states. The NPCC has an agreement with the US Council on Environmental Quality to assist in bringing Federal parties to the table in collaborative processes and with the Governors of Oregon and Washington to assist in bringing state agencies into collaborative processes.
US Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution - to initiate collaborative processes in Oregon around environmental issues that involve both state and federal agencies, tribal governments and Oregon citizens or other interest groups.
Oregon Solutions - to assess the potential for collaborative approaches to sustainable projects in communities.
Institute for Natural Resources at Oregon State University - to make effective use of neutral science or other technical information in collaborative processes around difficult natural resource and environmental issues.
Eastern Oregon University - to create a virtual Rural/Urban Solutions Center that will address problems across the "divide". More
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OC Statement on Impartiality
Our mission requires us to assist all parties in resolving disputes around public issues or public decisions in a non-adversarial, collaborative process. We are therefore, committed to being impartial and fair to each party engaged in the conflict, regardless of who has requested or initiated our services. We are non-partisan and maintain the Program's independence from external influences that might bear on the professional judgment and performance of our staff and qualified contractors. We fully disclose any potential conflicts of interest, prohibit any improper influence and protect the confidentiality of the parties with whom we are working.
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