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DOCUMENTING DIRECT DEMOCRACY IN OREGON

DOCUMENTING DIRECT DEMOCRACY IN OREGON. Presentation by Joshua Binus, binus@pdx.edu Oregon Library Association Conference (Salem, OR) April 2, 2009. ORIGINS Collaboration with Peter Kopp Oregon’s initiative history is largely undocumented

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DOCUMENTING DIRECT DEMOCRACY IN OREGON

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  1. DOCUMENTING DIRECT DEMOCRACY IN OREGON Presentation by Joshua Binus, binus@pdx.edu Oregon Library Association Conference (Salem, OR) April 2, 2009

  2. ORIGINS • Collaboration with Peter Kopp • Oregon’s initiative history is largely undocumented • Collaboration with Portland State University & students • Short-lived collaboration with the OHS Research Library • Originally a 3-term effort to document “environmental” ballot measures • Success led to project expansion into all topics

  3. GOALS • Salvage Oregon’s rich history of direct democracy • Make the collected source material publicly accessible in a meaningful way • Engage students in a hands-on history project • Foster evidence-based discourse over the use of direct democracy as a tool for shaping policy

  4. RESEARCH STRATEGY • Focus on Initiatives • 1960 to present • Election-cycle rhythm • Guided research • Lecture, reading, guest speakers • Professional-level correspondence • Contact logs • Vertical Files • Historical Narratives • Bibliographies

  5. ADVISORY BOARD

  6. METHODS • Assignment #1: show and tell • Research worksheets • Narrative synthesis & review of research • Correspondence training & templates • Clear direction for researchers • Documenting dead ends

  7. CHALLENGES • RESEARCH-BASED • Working with inexperienced researchers • Lack of itemized contribution & expenditure reports • Out-of-state parties and large organizations • PROJECT-BASED • Working with OHS/Changing partnership to OCHC • Archive arrangements (interim & long-term storage) • Processing bottleneck • Reliance on volunteer labor • Lack of grant writer(s)

  8. Progress • Terms completed: 16 • Researchers: 163 • Measures documented: 114 • Labor hours: 24,840 • Individuals queried: 3,423 • Donors: 70 - 80 • Archive size: 200 cf

  9. UNTAPPED OPPORTUNITIES AT THE CITY & COUNTY LEVEL • Rich history at the local level • Provides an avenue for direct engagement with local colleges/universities and surrounding communities • Many initiative veterans are sitting on materials and waiting for you to call them • Provides meaningful work for local history professionals • Local salvage needs done immediately

  10. LINKING TO BMAP • Cross-referencing collections • Central website • Open to collaboration • Central point of contact for statewide campaigns: Joshua Binus Portland State University Department of History 1721 SW Broadway P.O. Box 751 Portland, OR 97207-0751 503.725.3990 binus@pdx.edu

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