Community Council

Community Council fosters a trusted gathering place where people engage in dialogue, inquiry, and advocacy to build a vibrant region for everyone.

Our primary work facilitates a study/advocacy model of community change. The first phase is a nine-month study process that provides a forum for residents to examine complex issues of regional significance in depth, and supports the development of locally-generated, regionally-appropriate, consensus-driven recommendations for change. The study group consists of committed individuals that represent diverse perspectives in the community that agree to attend weekly meetings that study an issue in depth with presentations by experts in the field. From these presentations, the group notes significant findings, which they use to develop conclusions and recommendations. Building on that, the three to four-year advocacy phase brings residents together with business, government, and nonprofit leaders throughout the region to implement those community-developed recommendations. 

Community indicators complement the study/advocacy model by using reliable, publicly available demographic, social, and economic data to better understand the region, inform the study process, and measure the impacts of advocacy. We develop community indicators through community input so they are relevant and responsive to local priorities. Community indicators help us regularly engage residents in developing a community roadmap – reflecting on where we have been, where we are now, where we want to go and what critical areas need attention.

Together, the study/advocacy process and community indicators create spaces for residents to engage in different forms of civic dialogue and community building that lead to action. Because we are politically neutral and committed to inclusivity, Community Council brings a unique ability to foster cross jurisdictional and inter-sectoral collaboration that encourages creative, bold, and ambitious efforts that might not be otherwise attempted or successfully achieved. Bringing diverse interests together to support common aspirations sparks new energy to create lasting change. Examples of successful advocacy include passing a tax supporting mental health, establishing a tattoo removal program for gang prevention, expanding an early learning coalition, and developing a regional non-motorized transportation and trails plan.

Our region is the Walla Walla Valley, which includes Columbia and Walla Walla counties in southeast Washington and Milton-Freewater, Oregon. Our work builds connections between residents and entities across this broad rural community of about 70,000 people.