Not legal advice. OSTA is educational advocacy, not a law firm. This page is general information for Oregon manufactured dwelling park and marina tenancies — you own the home and rent the space (ORS 90.505–90.850). It does not apply to apartment or other standard ORS 90.100–90.465 rentals. It is not legal advice. Talk with an attorney about your situation.
OSTA Leadership & Collaboration Framework
Working with OSTA: How Our Leadership Structure Protects and Empowers You
From grassroots park and marina meetings to the halls of the state capitol in Salem, OSTA operates through three dedicated tiers of resident-led leadership. Understand who to contact, how issues are elevated, and how our network stands behind your community.
Active Chapters
Local
Chartered local chapters
Regional Support
Dedicated
District regional directors
Policy Advocacy
Statewide
Board strategic oversight
Democratic Representation
Uniting Manufactured Home Communities Across Oregon
Oregon manufactured dwelling parks and marinas are critical affordable housing for seniors and working families. Because residents own their homes but lease the space, organized solidarity is the effective shield against unjust termination, arbitrary rule changes, and excessive utility fee increases.
Our three-tier architecture makes sure you never stand alone against corporate landlords or institutional investors. Each level has distinct educational and organizational roles for facility space tenancies (ORS 90.505–90.850).
- Facility protections under ORS 90.505–90.850
- Elected volunteer leaders
- Direct state liaison
501(c)(3) Nonprofit
Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Educational advocacy for Oregon park and marina households.
Governance Hierarchy
Three Distinct Tiers of Leadership
Every OSTA leader serves a precise function designed to escalate your voice systematically. Find out how each tier assists your community.
Tier 1 · Park Level
Chapter Leaders
Park & community level · local first contact
Chapter leaders act as the immediate bridge between residents and organized action. They help neighbors distinguish between general dissatisfaction and actual rule or legal violations. A chapter leader organizes community meetings, gathers documented concerns, and guides residents through formal processes—such as drafting professional written inquiries to management or reaching out to housing agencies.
Core responsibilities
- Organizing monthly or quarterly park meetings
- Reviewing park notices and rule-change announcements
- Drafting formal inquiry letters to park owners/managers
- Distributing the statutory One-Page Summary (ORS 90.510)
When to contact
Reach out to your chapter leader first if you receive an unexpected notice, notice unsafe common facilities, or want to unite neighbors around a common park or marina concern.
Tier 2 · Regional Level
District Directors
Regional & multi-chapter level · county coordinator
District directors support multiple chapters across a broader geographic region. They connect local chapters to statewide OSTA resources, ensure organizational consistency, and provide guidance when local issues stall. If a park manager repeatedly ignores a chapter’s formal requests, the district director helps elevate the pattern and coordinate additional organizational support.
Core responsibilities
- Supporting chapter officers across Oregon districts
- Assisting unchartered parks seeking to form a new chapter
- Facilitating training and statutory dispute procedures
- Escalating systemic landlord non-compliance to state legal partners
When to contact
Involve your district director when local management refuses to meet, when formal letters receive no good-faith reply, or when organizing a multi-facility effort.
Tier 3 · Statewide Level
Board Members
Statewide governance · legislative & strategic oversight
Board members focus on high-level governance, financial oversight, strategic direction, and statewide advocacy. They safeguard OSTA’s mission and drive policy initiatives at the state capitol. Rather than stepping in to resolve individual park disputes directly, board members maintain the structural health of the organization so that chapters and districts have the backing they need to succeed.
Core responsibilities
- Directing statewide legislative lobbying, including facility space-rent caps (ORS 90.600, ORS 90.324)
- Managing 501(c)(3) nonprofit governance, fiduciary health, and grants
- Cultivating legal-aid partnerships (Eviction Defense Project, Legal Aid Services of Oregon)
- Setting organizational priorities and educational curriculum (OSTA-U)
When to contact
Connect with board members for statewide policy testimony, organizational partnerships, media inquiries, or chapter charter ratification.
Structured Escalation
How The OSTA Team Works Together For Our Members
OSTA’s leadership roles carry out a process that moves isolated neighbor concerns up to formal collective action and statewide support when needed.
1
Resident Documentation
The resident identifies an infringement (such as an unjustified fee hike or maintenance negligence), gathers written park notices, dates, and photos, and presents them to the chapter leader.
Key action: Gathering factual evidence
2
Formal Chapter Action
The chapter leader convenes a committee, builds community consensus, and drafts a formal written inquiry under ORS Chapter 90 to park management requiring a documented response.
Key action: Sending a formal inquiry letter
3
District Elevation
District directors offer support to Chapter Leaders offering ideas and best practices based on their experience handling similar issues in other parks. When an issue requires intervention from the law, Directors will escalate the problem to the board.
Key action: District Support for Chapter Leaders
4
Statewide / Legal Partners
When a pattern of non-compliance, retaliation, or a widespread issue is identified, OSTA Board members advocate to our lawmakers on your behalf and work to rally statewide support for the cause.
Key action: Legislative Advocacy
Community in Action
Informed Residents Form Resilient Neighborhoods
Across Oregon, OSTA chapters host structured resident forums in clubhouses and recreation centers. When residents understand their statutory protections under Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 90 for park and marina space tenancies, predatory park ownership loses its ability to intimidate.
OSTA University (OSTA-U)
Leadership and legal education for chartered park officers. Complimentary with membership — see OSTA-U courses for current offerings.
View OSTA-U courses
.
Clarity of Mandate
OSTA Leadership Roles
A quick breakdown of the role levels within OSTA and what each does to be of service to our members.
| Attribute | Tier 1: Chapter Leader | Tier 2: District Director | Tier 3: Board Member |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope of work | Individual park / community | Multi-county regional district | Statewide (entire state of Oregon) |
| Primary focus | Organizing residents to take action and keep communication flowing. | Chapter health, leadership training, park education meetings | Legislative lobbying, legal partnerships, 501(c)(3) governance |
| Direct dispute handling | Chapter leaders help residents to know a violation when it happens and document it. | Escalation: Educates and empowers Chapters to solve difficult issues. | Systemic only: coordinates legislative action, rallies statewide suppport. |
| Typical meetings | Monthly park clubhouse gatherings | Quarterly district-wide Chapter training sessions | Monthly state board sessions and Annual Assembly |
| Contact channel | Park notice board or local OSTA chapter officer | Chapter Leaders have direct contact access to Directors | Statewide executive contact via the site contact form |
Important Legal Notice Regarding OSTA Advocates
OSTA chapter leaders, district directors, and board members are dedicated resident volunteers, educators, and community organizers. OSTA representatives are not licensed attorneys and do not provide direct legal representation or courtroom defense.
When an unresolvable legal violation, retaliatory eviction summons, or formal court proceeding occurs, OSTA refers qualified low-income members to accredited legal defense partners at the Eviction Defense Project (EDP) and Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO).
Get Connected Today
Need Assistance or Want to Start a Chapter in Your Park?
Whether you are facing an urgent rent increase, unfair rules, or want to unite your neighbors into an official chartered chapter, our leadership network is ready to support you.