Oregon's Kitchen Table

Oregon’s Kitchen Table is a program at Portland State University that creates ways for people in Oregon to share with decision-makers what matters most to them about important issues. We strive to include all Oregonians in the decisions that affect their lives, with a particular focus on reaching, engaging, and hearing from Oregonians who have been left out of traditional public processes. Oregon’s Kitchen Table is the creation of a group of non-partisan, non-profit community organizations dedicated to helping Oregonians have a voice - to share their ideas, opinions, beliefs, and resources in improving Oregon and our communities. OKT was the creation of the Hatfield School of Government, Kitchen Table Democracy, and a group of non-partisan, non-profit community organizations dedicated to helping Oregonians share their ideas, opinions, beliefs, and resources in improving Oregon and its communities. OKT creates simple, easy-to-use platforms (online and in person) for statewide community engagement and promotes in-depth community engagement with the trade-offs and challenges decision-makers confront in governing our state. Using culturally specific and targeted outreach, as well as community partnerships, we work with organizers, translators, and interpreters to assure that materials and online and in-person engagement activities are available for all Oregonians. We honor and value the wide range of values, ideas, and lived experiences that community members share with us and with public decision-makers. The National Policy Consensus Center (NPCC) and NPCC’s Oregon’s Kitchen Table are housed within the Hatfield School of Government at Portland State University.