If you're looking for a record of service to our community, Amanda Fritz is the candidate with the broadest range of experience over 20 years volunteering in Portland's schools, neighborhoods, forests, parks, workplace fairness, and citizen governance systems.

That's why in 2005, Amanda was the only community candidate to collect $5 donations from residents in 90 of the city's 95 neighborhoods, to qualify for Public Campaign Financing. In 2007, supporters in 91 neighborhoods contributed to help her qualify first, again. People all over Portland know Amanda and trust her.

Amanda was honored at City Hall in 2005 with a "Spirit of Portland" award for community service.

As a nurse and citizen advocate, Amanda believes in the value of process and discussion. She also knows we gain little with all talk and no action. Listen to what City Council candidates say, and also look at what they've done for Portland and Portlanders.

Amanda is…

* Experienced on the ground making a real difference in neighborhoods all over the city

* Independent of special interests and not afraid to speak out for the needs of regular Portlanders

* Passionate about bringing citizens together to participate in our community and get things done

Here are just a few of the ways Amanda has made a difference for Portland:

• Co-founded and chaired the Tryon Creek Watershed Council
• Environmental Zone Project Advisory Committee member, 2004-2005
• Board member of the Coalition for a Livable Future, 2004-present
• Served on City of Portland Measure 37 Advisory Committee
• Initiated and chaired the City Wide Parks Team Forum
• Fifteen years experience advising the City Council on ordinances, resolutions, and projects
• Research associate, Audubon Society of Portland study of Metro-area development codes, providing technical advice on better regulation of pavement in relation to stormwater management
• Served on a study group examining Neighborhood Associations for the League of Women Voters
• Union steward and participant in the OHSU nurses' strike; Union member for 21 years
• Helped with over 100 volunteer projects in 87 different Portland neighborhoods since 2004
• Jobs with Justice pledger and active participant

• Parent volunteer for 14 years tutoring Portland Public Schools children in reading, math, and English as a Second Language
• Mentor for at-risk middle school students for 7 years
• Chaired the Markham Elementary Local School Advisory Committee for two years; wrote and managed two grants for Markham, completing projects worth over $28,000 for $7,400 in grant money
• 17-year PTA member, active in school funding and curriculum support efforts
• Led after-school group for teenage girls at The Salvation Army for 15 years
• Founded the Markham Elementary School "World's Fair" annual multicultural event

• Parks and Land Use chair for the West Portland Park Neighborhood Association for 15 years
• Led successful efforts to purchase a 20 acre greenspace, a 10 acre woodland destined to become a park with walking trails, and a 1.7 acre city park
• Helped win $250,000 for purchase and $416,000 for construction in grants from the state for the Holly Farm Park, which opened September 2007 after twelve years' collaboration and advocacy
• Served on the City's Task Force on Neighborhood Involvement, 1994-5

• Commissioner, Portland Planning Commission from 1996 to 2003: watchdog for neighborhood concerns and responsible development
• Forced reconsideration of City Council’s “Skinny Lot decision" - protecting older homes and the character of neighborhoods across the city
• Co-chaired Citywide Land Use Group
• Made two successful appeals to the State Land Use Board of Appeals, protesting unfair regulation of development in neighborhoods; resulted in a change in the code regulations in Portland, making developers more accountable
• Coordinated activists across the city to win neighborhood-friendly amendments in subdivision code revisions; drafted adopted language requiring provision of park space in larger subdivisions

Which public service tasks do you find most rewarding when you participate? What are the challenges preventing volunteers from accomplishing more in Portland, for Portlanders? Email Amanda with your thoughts and ideas.