2016-10-05 Diversity Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
DIVERSITY COMMISSION
October 5, 2016
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Ed Dorame — Vice Chair
Maria Montalvo
George Basioli
Diana White
Pat Valle
Adam Khan
Tung Bui
Councilmember Adrienne Fraley-Monillas,
ex officio
1. Roll Call: Call to order at 6:03 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Mario Brown — Chair
Presenter: Karena Hooks
STAFF PRESENT
Patrick Doherty, ED/CS Director
Cindi Cruz, ED/CS Program Coordinator
Misha Carter, Diversity Commission
Coordinator
2. Approval of Agenda: The agenda is approved as amended to delete Item #7: Community
Updates/Commissioner Comments by consensus.
3. Approval of Meeting Summary of September 7, 2016: Summary minutes are approved as
submitted by consensus.
4. Public Comment: No comment
5. Update on old business:
a. Immigration Forum 10/12/16 — at 6 p.m. in the Edmonds Library Plaza Room, Van Dinh-
Kuno has agreed to present and remark on the immigrant and refugee challenges that face
them as they come to this country. Her experiences will provide a base for audience and
commission to comment on using their own experiences. Will provide refreshments and
will look into having the event filmed by MyEdmonds news staff. Approve up to $100
for refreshments by consensus. Approve a fee up to $300 for filming the forum to be
posted on the City Diversity web page by consensus.
b. World Cafe event 11/5/16 — Michele will come and speak, Adrienne will facilitate. 10
a.m. — 1 p.m., commission will provide refreshments. Should it be renamed? "World
Cafe" doesn't necessarily mean anything? Diversity World Caf6? Topics? Ask Michele
what the name should be? "Diversity Commission presents: Cultural Roundtable
Conversation" was suggested as a name. Attach situational topics and agree to topics
before the event. Send comments/suggestions to Patrick and Misha.
6. Facilitate Team Building & Professional Development Diana introduced Karena who is
going to lead the session on team building & professional development. Karena has been with
ESD for 3 years, a consultant and trainer who works for ESD.
Approved Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
October 5, 2016
Page 1
Icebreaker: "I am Poem" - commissioners shared their poems as part of the team building
process. If not completed — please complete and share with commission and staff.
Example of sight privilege — George thought there were images on document but there were
not.
Equality doesn't mean Equity — for instance bathroom lines should be equal in length for
equity. Need to be clear about this image before other handouts are relevant. Be careful when
projecting value statements on to other people and situations. It is always a balance.
Terminology is important: to help can be to assist or to support. Examples of how
commission began. Community is changing. Example of language: You tolerate a root canal
but not a human being. Language is generational also and very important as example of
cultural change. What is correct and what is not? Words are harmful. Be careful and be part
of the solution not the problem. The World Caf6 plan can be harmful if scenarios are not
thought out carefully.
Monthly Agenda; team building, get to know people, how to define diversity, what does
diversity mean to group, what part of the goals do you want to tackle as a commission,
inclusion is important but how do you tackle inclusion, false labels separate and divide us,
and communities are building from other cultures. The task is large — be careful that as a
commission you don't take on too much. What is sustainable in this community? What piece
should the commission work on to make a difference as a commission?
Focus on book every commissioner could read a chapter:
"Learning Conversation Stems" how to hold difficult conversations.
"Cultural Competence" Awareness, Knowledge, Skills, Action/Advocacy — must do in order.
"Continuum on Becoming an Anti -Racist Multicultural Organization" assess your own # of
where you are at on this chart.
Questions:
What should the commission provide: sounding board for complaints? Complaints and issues
always coming in creates a negative connotation of the group — the commission should not
provide everything for all needs. Be cautious about becoming the diversity police.
What about social media changes? Today's world is not as sheltered as 30+ years ago: how
has social media changed this? Information is more plentiful and accessible. But information
can be more pigeon -holed.
Workshops for training Karena will provide two spots for commissioners or staff. She will
follow up with e-mail information for the training.
7. Adiourn: 8:00 PM — Next regular meeting: November 2, 2016, 6 PM
Approved Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
October 5, 2016
Page 2