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Portland Business Alliance
Portland Business Alliance - Public Service Training Program

Public Service Training

Public Service Training is designed for established and emerging leaders who have a desire to deepen their connection to our community through service on government boards and commissions or pursuit of elected office.   
Participants in this six-month program take part in engaging, interactive class sessions and have the opportunity to learn from business and community leaders including elected officials. 
 
Alliance membership is not required, and program participants are eligible for a membership discount.  
 
For questions, please contact:  
Amy Rathfelder, Director, Government Affairs, [email protected]

About the program

TIME COMMITMENT

Public Service Training consists of a series of six half-day class sessions hosted at the Portland Business Alliance office downtown. These meet on the following Friday mornings from October 2021 through March 2022. Participants should plan to join all six sessions. 

  • October 1 
  • November 5 
  • December 3 
  • January 7 
  • February 4 
  • March 4   

 
Program Fee: $250

Contact Amy Rathfelder if you have any questions about the application or review process, or if you need technical assistance. 

Thanks to our generous sponsors, we have a limited number of scholarships available each year. If the program fee is a barrier to your participation, reach out to Hillary Patterson to learn more.  Preference is given to members of underrepresented groups. 

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES 

  • Expanded skills in seeking appointment or election to public service bodies  
  • Exposure to a network of community leaders  
  • Interaction with experts in the policy, political and fundraising fields  
  • Increased awareness of how to promote economic growth and job creation through community service  


PARTICIPANT BENEFITS 

  • Expanded skills in seeking appointment or election to public service bodies 
  • Exposure to a network of community leaders 
  • Interaction with experts in the policy, political and fundraising fields 
  • Increased awareness of how to promote economic growth and job creation through community service 

PROGRAM TOPICS 

  • Portland economic and political landscape  
  • Public policy issues and analysis  
  • Leadership and decision-making skills  
  • Media training  
  • Campaigns, fundraising and strategy  
  • Opportunities to serve our region, and how to get involved  

PAST SPEAKERS 

Commissioner Lori Stegmann, Multnomah County   
Commissioner Carmen Rubio, City of Portland  
Commissioner Mingus Mapps, City of Portland  
Commissioner Nafisa Fai, Washington County  
Senate Majority Leader Rob Wagner  
Representative Rob Nosse  
Representative Janell Bynum  
See Eun Kim, Office of Governor Kate Brown  
Amy Ruiz, Strategies 360  
Paige Richardson, Springwater Partners  
Mari Watanabe, Executive Director, Partners in Diversity  
Chris Warner, Director, Portland Bureau of Transportation  
Therese Bottomly, Editor, The Oregonian/Oregonlive  
John Tapogna, ECONorthwest  
John Horvick, DHM Research 
​​​​​​​Kari Chisholm, Mandate Media