HomeMy WebLinkAbout24 02 01 minutes SERJAC
Social Equity and Racial Justice Committee
Minutes
February 01, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
1. Yamaguchi called the meeting to order at 5:30. Due to Zoom issues the meeting started late.
2. Attendance: Simon, Yamaguchi, Geraghty, Houston, Tyler, Mendel, Seltzer (staff liaison)
Absent: DuQuenne, Dahl, Singh, Fayvor
Guests: None
Seltzer read the Land Acknowledgement and Yamaguchi read the Labor Acknowledgement
3. M/S approval of January 1, 2024 minutes Mendel/Tyler, motion passes unanimously.
4. Public Input: None
5. Update from members: None
6. Discussion of Hybrid Meetings vs In-person meetings.
M/S Mendel/Tyler to continue with hybrid meetings and commit to meeting in person for a social
gathering four times per year. Motion passes unanimously.
7. Listening Circles Discussion
SERJ members discussed how to move forward with the proposed Listening Circle project. Co-chairs
Simon and Yamaguchi clarified the project does not have funding and attendance must be open to all
residents. Tyler and Mendell volunteered to work with Geraghty on the project.
M/S Mendel motioned to form a subcommittee to work on the Listening Circle Plan. Tyler seconded.
Motion passes unanimously.
Further discussion clarified the sub committee must keep notes of their meetings and the plan should
include project outreach, project objectives and outcomes. The group will bring their draft to the
April SERJ meeting for review. It was noted that a sub committee makes recommendations to the full
committee for further action.
8. Update Ashland Voices
Yamaguchi provided a brief update on the project. The project will use qualitative data to develop
videos of Ashland businesses owned and operated by marginalized residents telling their stories of
Ashland. The City of Ashland and SOURCE (Southern Oregon University Research Center) are
working together on this project.
9. Discussion of Muse DEI Engagement
Generally members agreed that a follow up meeting with Muse providing practical and relevant
approaches. It was suggested that SERJ provide Muse with a current project, and she can provide
suggestions on how to approach the project.
10. Update from Council and Staff Liaisons
10. Meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.