Kevin Frazier: Does Oregon need a chief service officer?

California's Chief Service Officer (CSO) has helped mobilize thousands of volunteers during these trying times. Should Oregon follow its neighbor's lead?

Kevin Frazier edits The Oregon Way (forgive him for occasional typos); he’s “attending” the UC Berkeley School of Law.

The case for a CSO of Oregon

"Butch David, crew leader, and the 2018 Warm Springs Youth Conservation Corps Crew, Ochoco NF and Crooked River National Grassland" by Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region is marked with CC PDM 1.0

“Oregon Nice” is not living up to its potential.

We’ve got the supply.

• Oregonians rank highly when it comes to volunteerism — according to AmeriCorps, the state’s community-minded residents have the 13th highest volunteer rate.

We’ve got the demand.

• There’s one nonprofit for every 277 Oregonians, based on analysis of IRS filings.

What’s needed is a little more than Adam Smith’s invisible hand. We need some coordination. That’s exactly where a Chief Service Officer could come in. Some will say that the last thing we need is another State official. Others will bemoan the State steering how people should spend their time.

Regardless of where you stand, take a listen to the latest episode of the Fix It podcast with Josh Fryday, the Chief Service Officer of California.

Here’s the episode:

When you finish send your thoughts via Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/oregonway) or Twitter (@the_oregon_way). If you think Oregon should have a CSO, who should it be?