JLA Public Involvement

Have you met Esme Schornstein? After earning a degree in Environmental Analysis, Esme was introduced to the field of Community Engagement and knew she'd found her path. She has a passion for helping people understand and get involved in planning projects, particularly related to natural resources, land use and other complex topics. Get to know Esme!

Have you met Ashley Balsom? Ashley joined the JLA team with a passion for transit, transportation, national parks and recreation! After living in Eugene and working Lane County, Ashley’s freshly in Portland and eager to keep exploring and engaging communities all over the PNW! Get to know a little more about her work and mad crossword skills…

Have you met Ashley Balsom? Ashley joined the JLA team with a passion for transit, transportation, national parks and recreation! After living in Eugene and working Lane County, Ashley’s freshly in Portland and eager to keep exploring and engaging communities all over the PNW! Get to know a little more about her work and mad crossword skills…

See you at the Oregon Chapter of the American Planning Association conference next week! JLA was happy to host a prep session for "Stop Being Boring: Creative Communication for Planners" with presenters Shelley, Mary, Andrea and Sam. There are so many fascinating sessions in the line up. Hope to see you there! Stop Being Boring: Creative Communication for Planners This session will begin by providing attendees with an overview of the principles of effective communication. Panelists will then present case studies of communication tools such as podcasting, video production, and graphic design. There will be a focus on providing attendees with information about how to execute similar projects using free or low-cost software and training. By the end of the session, participants will have gained a deeper understanding of the purpose and need for creative communications in our field, the principles of effective communication in planning, and practical skills to implement creative communication strategies. Armed with these tools, planners will be better equipped to engage stakeholders, bridge communication gaps, and foster collaborative decision-making processes in their communities. https://buff.ly/481flrO

It was a pleasure to have a team lunch with BANKSCUESTA TRANSLATIONS LLC this week! We so enjoyed talking about all things community engagement, including how to make activities more relevant and accessible. We talked about the benefit of reaching people by going to places they already gather – and gaining natural participation through long-term collaborations. JLA has had the pleasure of working with Carlos and Alejandra on many projects, from the Oregon Broadband statewide engagement program with Business Oregon to the Main Streets on Halsey project with Multnomah County, City of Fairview OR, City of Wood Village and City of Troutdale. We can’t endorse them highly enough – BanksCuesta provides bilingual services in English and Spanish, including translation and interpretation, as well as community engagement, strategy, facilitation and data analysis. They're collaborative, reliable and great partners.

Providing spaces for productive community conversations is important, especially when projects are complex and high-profile. In September, JLA supported the City of Milwaukie with a community event where more than 100 people provided input on the Washington-Monroe Greenway project. We’re appreciative of the local media KATU news for covering the public event and sharing the perspectives of people who attended. And to City staff who are committed to having direct and open conversations with community members. Check out more about the project in the news coverage: https://buff.ly/3N96730 ? Shout out to the folks working to make this project great ? City of Milwaukie: Tanya Battye, Jason Wachs, Emma Sagor, Jennifer Garbely, Joseph Briglio JLA: Tracie Heidt, Esme Schornstein

Yesterday was a super Tuesday at JLA – teams headed out to support Portland Parks & Recreation (planning for a new park!), Clackamas County (long-term land use and transportation visioning!), and Portland General Electric (transmission line upgrades!). Other meetings this week include TriMet engagement with the Cully neighborhood, and City Of McMinnville Innovation Campus committee. Early fall is always silly season for public engagement. Other than pumpkin spice, anyone have tips on how to make it through? In order of appearance ?? Anastasia (Stacy) Zurcher, Sam Beresky, Kristen Kibler, Esme Schornstein, Katie Nelson Stone, Ashley Balsom

Have you met Jamie Ackerman-Harvie? After 12 awesome years at JLA, we hope you have! During her tenure, Jamie's played many roles, from communications strategy for some of the region's biggest projects to leading our marketing and business development. Watch the video and learn something new about JLA's uber-participator...

Have you met Jamie Ackerman-Harvie? After 12 awesome years at JLA, we hope you have! During her tenure, Jamie's played many roles, from communications strategy for some of the region's biggest projects to leading our marketing and business development. Watch the video and learn something new about JLA's uber-participator...

??♂???♀????? Rolling out safer streets with Bend Midtown Crossings Project! JLA’s mission of engaging people on public projects stretches far and wide, including vibrant Central Oregon. One important key to public involvement is adapting outreach strategies to the community so that it works best for them. In Bend this looks like: ?? Bike racks for people to park their wheels. ?? ?? Early evening meetings to accommodate after-work participation and summer evening activities. ?? ?? Events at locations around the community – providing information about many projects. ?? ?? A chill vibe. Open house at the hotel pool, anyone? ?? #BendVibes #SaferStreets #CommunityFirst #BendBiking ?? Shout out to the folks on these projects! ?? City of Bend -Todd Johnson -Garrette Sabourin -Anne Aurand -Mary Packebush DOWL -Justin Mason -Jared Trowbridge -Peter Guth Kittelson -Jacki Smith -Matt Kittelson JLA -Stacy Zurcher -Katie Nelson -Tuyen Ta -Jessica Pickul