2025 Friends & Allies Fall Summit

Story & Strategy Circles

It’s time to learn from each other’s experience - we are the leaders we’ve been waiting for! Tune into a story from a local organization about their approach to the topic. Then discuss the issue with peers, problem solve, and dream up new approaches for your own work. Know a lot about this topic? Know a little? All experience levels are welcome so we can share in each other’s growth.

Attendees will select one Story & Strategy Circle to attend during registration.

Community Engagement Tactics

Community Engagement is a broad term that covers lots of different approaches and interactions. But, Lloyd EcoDistrict has found momentum through their end-goal orientation and data-driven approach. Let’s hear from them and discuss approaches to equitable and innovative community engagement.

Partner: Joshua Baker, Outreach Program Manager, Lloyd Eco District

Coalition Building & Co-Leadership Models

Values of equality and power-sharing have led some organizations to reconsider how projects are progressed entirely, creating new structures for new goals. Portland Placemaking Coalition is approaching food justice work through shared leadership and community-knowledge prioritization. Let's discuss what alternative leadership models could look like, and the challenges that keep us from practicing them.

Partner: Portland Placemaking Coalition

Volunteer Programming & Support

Volunteers are the lifeblood of community organizations. Yet, from pandemic recovery to new ways of social connection, it's hard to maintain a stable crew for continual impact. Let’s discuss volunteer program hurdles and strategies.

Collective Support Strategies
(BIPOC Affinity Space)

Communities of color not only face barriers built into Portland’s historic systems and landscape, but also increasing challenges from federal attacks on efforts to empower equity. This affinity space will be held for people of color to share from their experience, connect, and collaborate on collective support strategies. To protect the intention of this space, we ask only those who identify as a person of color to attend.