2024-03-30 DEIA Commission Packet�` SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE
EDMONDS DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION . N
& ACCESSIBILITY COMMISSION
RETREAT MEETING
The Edmonds Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility (DEIA) Commission will
meet on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at 10 a.m. The purpose of the meeting is for a
retreat meeting of the Edmonds DEIA Commission. The agenda is attached.
The meeting will be held in a hybrid format.
PHYSICAL LOCATION:
Plaza Room 1 650 Main Street, Edmonds, WA 98020
REMOTE MEETING/ZOOM INFORMATION:
https:Hedmondswa-gov.zoom.us/i/84328707659?pwd=KnJvZHW5j AOIEV75kXLAMnC6vGToLE. l
Meeting ID: 843 2870 7659
Passcode: 482634
The public is welcome to attend the meeting.
Posted/Emailed: March 28, 2024
POSTED:
City Hall
Public Safety
Library
EMAILED:
The Herald
The Edmonds Beacon
Myedmondsnews.com
City Council
SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA •
Edmonds Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility Commission
RETREAT
Saturday, March 30, 2024 1 10:00AM-2:OOPM
HYBRID MEETING
The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility Commission members will be meeting in person and/or remotely
for this meeting. The public may join at the physical location or join through zoom.
PHYSICAL LOCATION:
Plaza Room — 650 Main Street, Edmonds, WA 98020 (above the library)
REMOTE MEETING/ZOOM INFORMATION:
https://edmondswa-gov.zoom.us/i/84328707659?pwd=KnJvZHW5*AOIEV75kXLAMnC6vGToLE.1
Meeting ID: 843 2870 7659
Passcode: 482634
10:00 A.M. — Call to Order and Land Acknowledgement: "We acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the
Sdohobsh (Snohomish) people and their successors the Tulalip Tribes, who since time immemorial have hunted, fished,
gathered, and taken care of these lands. We respect their sovereignty, their right to self-determination, and we honor their
sacred spiritual connection with the land and water." - City Council Land Acknowledgment
1. Roll Call and Absences
2. Approval of Agenda
3. Public Comment (3 minutes per speaker)
DIVERSITY COMMISSION RETREAT AGENDA
10:00 AM Welcome — ELAINE, JESSIE & MICHELLE
Homework review: Share 2 things you learned or were surprised by.
10:15 AM Ice Breaker Exercise
10:30 AM Lay the Foundation
Review definitions (attached)
Commissioner Capacity and expectations
Staff roles
Mission — Commission Purpose (attached)
Vision — Define Aspirations
11:45 AM Lunch Break
12:00 PM Strategic 3-Year Plan
2024; 2025; 2026
12:30 PM Commission Structure and Action Plan
Committees — Assign responsibilities.
Calendar; Grant program; Film series; Book distribution plan; Onboarding
Relationship Building
1:45 Wrap-Up/Closing
Adjourn — 2:OOPM
Next meeting: Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at 6:OOPM
Guiding Principles
To ensure we meet our responsibilities as a Commission, we agree to:
• start and end our meetings on time
• demonstrate our respect for our fellow Commissioners, the City of Edmonds, and the citizens we represent by: being present, being prepared,
actively listening, participating in meetings, completing our individual assignments, and holding ourselves accountable
• "step up and step back"
• establish goals and action plans that are results oriented
• establish subcommittees as needed
• engage in courageous, honest, and open dialogue when faced with difficult issues or questions
• utilize the "Ouch Rule" (assume positive intent; resist the temptation to be offended)
• embrace the education opportunities presented through the Commission meetings
• strive to make decisions by consensus. In a case where consensus cannot be reached after a reasonable attempt has been made, the Chairperson
may call for a majority vote.
DEFINITIONS:
These definitions are adapted from Race Forward, a racial equity think tank, DEI consultant and
author Lilly Zhen. Accessibility is missing from this list, I'm aware. This is one definition I think the
commission already has established.
• Racism is a system of advantage based on race that initially relied on the false belief that one
group of people is biologically superior to another. Today, racism involves systems and
institutions, not just individual mindsets and actions. The key distinguishing feature of racism is
the unfair and harmful outcomes it produces.
• Marginalized groups (like BIPOC, women, and Muslims) are social groups historically and
currently excluded from mainstream social, economic, cultural, or political life.
• Oppression results from prejudice and institutional power, creating systems like racism that
discriminate against some groups while benefiting others based on social hierarchy.
• A disparity is evidence of the absence of equality. For example, when a racial or ethnic group
experiences worse outcomes than another demographic group in the same condition, we call that a
racial disparity.
• Equity is when we considers the specific needs or circumstances of a person or group so that all
community members have equal access to opportunities and positive outcomes
• Racial equity is when we purposefully lead our equity effort with race, but not exclusively so
that someone's race no longer predicts their outcomes.
• Diversity is when a community genuinely recognizes and trusts the makeup of a group, like a
workforce or leadership team, as being reflective of them.
• Inclusion removes barriers to trust, accountability, and respect in a group environment so that
every voice is heard and respected within a diverse group.
MISSION (ECC 10.65.010):
The mission of the Edmonds diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility commission is to promote and
embrace diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility through action, education, and guidance. The
commission seeks to foster an understanding that includes, accepts, respects and appreciates each
individual member of our community. The commission helps to identify actions which
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the qLtX government can take to improve equitable access and address adverse impacts of past policy and
conditions. [Ord. 4296 § I (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 3994 § 1 (Exh. A), 2015].