Translate
In this episode of ClackCo Works, Donna Hockey explains how Advisory Boards and Commissions (ABCs) give Clackamas County residents a direct way to shape local government decisions. She shares real examples of how these volunteer groups have improved policies on parks, senior services, veterans, and homelessness. Donna highlights the positive changes made by groups like the Aging Services Advisory Council and the Solid Waste Commission. Listeners will discover how easy it is to get involved and why every voice matters. Tune in to learn how you can make a real difference in your community through Clackamas County’s ABCs.
Transcript
Dylan: Welcome to ClackCo Works, where we talk about what Clackamas County has going on and to interesting people like yourself. I’m happy to introduce Donna Hockey today. She is a community relations specialist with Clackamas County Public and Government Affairs, where I work. Thanks so much for coming on. I really appreciate it.
Donna: Thank you for having me.
Dylan: Today we’re going to talk about ABCs—advisory boards and commissions—within the county. So, first question: What is an ABC and what do they do?
Donna: An ABC is part of our community engagement program. We have a lot of different pieces to that. There’s community engagement going on all over the county. The basic philosophy is that people should have a say in the policies that affect them. ABCs are groups of volunteers who get together around different topics, such as public health, the budget, or mental illness and addictions. They discuss those topics and give their feedback.
Dylan: That’s great. Can you give an example of one ABC and what it does?
Donna: Sure. We have the Parks Advisory Board, which advises on policy management and gives recommendations for our county parks. They can give feedback on the fee structure, naming, or even how many visitors are allowed at a campsite.
Dylan: Would they also give recommendations on amenities, like if there should be kids’ playgrounds?
Donna: Yes, they could give feedback on community needs for county parks.
Dylan: I think we have about 15 parks, not including North Clackamas parks. So, why are ABCs important?
Donna: They’re really important. They are a bridge between the community and local government. These groups give their unique perspectives on policies and planning, and sharing those opinions leads to better decision making for the county.
Dylan: How many people are usually in an ABC?
Donna: It could be anywhere from 5 to 19, depending on the group.
Dylan: How often do they meet?
Donna: It varies. Some meet monthly, some bimonthly, and some as needed. For example, the Planning Commission meets when there are things to vote on or plan.
Dylan: How many total ABCs does Clackamas County have?
Donna: There are over 40 ABCs, covering a variety of topics.
Dylan: That’s a lot of people doing a lot of different things.
Donna: Yes, a lot of people giving valuable feedback. There is something for everyone to get involved in, something they can be passionate about.
Dylan: Can you share an example of an ABC that has made a difference?
Donna: The Aging Services Advisory Council has made a difference recently. They advise social services within Health, Housing, and Human Services. Recently, they presented their area plan, a four-year strategic plan, to the Board of County Commissioners. This advisory board makes recommendations on issues affecting Clackamas County seniors. They were involved from the beginning, getting feedback from seniors in the county, helping with survey questions, and identifying gaps and opportunities. For example, they identified the need for support around social isolation in seniors and are working on solutions. They also do quality control, visiting seniors during meal deliveries to get feedback on the food and services, and bring other issues back to social services. Members must be 55 or older, so they are really in touch with what’s going on.
Dylan: Are ABCs only for residents of Clackamas County, or can other stakeholders join?
Donna: It’s mostly residents who are 18 and over, although some ABCs have spots for high school students. For example, the Traffic Safety ABC has two slots for high school students to give feedback on educational programs like DUI prevention or traffic safety.
Dylan: I think a lot of people have heard of the Planning Commission and the Budget Committee. What are some other interesting ABCs?
Donna: We have a Veterans Advisory Council made up of veterans. They promote veterans’ services and hold an annual expo to connect vets with providers. Another is the Solid Waste Commission, which reviews and discusses staff recommendations and gives advice to the Board of County Commissioners on garbage and recycling. In the last two years, they gave recommendations on collection fees, which were approved by the board.
Dylan: I know there’s a new ABC being formed, the Community Homelessness Advisory Board. How and why did that happen?
Donna: Homelessness is a huge topic in Clackamas County and a big priority. It takes a variety of departments and providers to address it, since it’s not just about housing but also substance abuse, mental illness, economics, and chronic health conditions. In 2023, the county adopted a recovery-oriented system of care resolution, acknowledging the need to address many issues. The new board brings together people from different industries and backgrounds—behavioral health, business, community, mental health, education, law enforcement, and people with lived experience—to give recommendations and feedback on the county’s homelessness response.
Dylan: Where are we in the process of developing that group?
Donna: It’s been approved, and we’re running recruitment right now and looking at bylaws as well.
Dylan: Are all ABC members approved by the Board of County Commissioners?
Donna: Yes, they are appointed by the board, but there’s an interview process and recommendations from the volunteer group and staff liaisons.
Dylan: How can people get involved if they’re interested?
Donna: There are a lot of ABCs and topics, so there’s something for everyone. Everyone’s voice is valuable, and just a couple of hours a month can make a huge impact. You can learn more at clackamas.us/community/abc or search “Clackamas County ABCs.” You can also subscribe to the newsletter, ClackCo Monthly, which we advertise at the bottom of every web page where it says “get email updates.”
Dylan: Meetings are open to the public, right?
Donna: Yes, meetings are open to the public. We would love to have people come down and check it out. We really want perspectives from everyone in all the communities within Clackamas County.
Dylan: Donna, thanks for being here. Always lovely to talk to you.
Donna: Thank you. Nice to see you.