Commissioners discussed a proposed community ambassadors program and a two‑year strategic plan for the Mountlake Terrace Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commission.

The plan matters because commissioners said the ambassador program and action plan are intended to broaden outreach, reach groups that historically underparticipate in civic processes and build relationships ahead of a public comment period and a scheduled council presentation.

Staff presented a draft plan that would recruit community ambassadors beginning in September, review applications in October and aim to onboard ambassadors in November. Applicants would be asked to commit to a minimum time commitment (a draft suggests at least four events or activities per year) and to align with the commission's goals and values. Staff said ambassadors would not be formal voting commissioners but could participate in a standing agenda item called "community engagement" where ambassadors could listen and speak about outreach activities.

Eligibility language discussed at the meeting included living, working, attending school, or worshiping in Mountlake Terrace and a minimum age of 16. One commissioner objected to the inclusion of "worship" as an eligibility category, saying houses of worship are not uniformly connected to the city and that some faith institutions draw people who do not otherwise participate locally. The group debated that language and the design of recruitment materials.

Staff also walked commissioners through the strategic plan timeline: staff planned to publish the draft for a public comment period, review comments at the commission's Oct. 15 meeting, and present a formal recommendation to the city council on Nov. 6. Staff asked commissioners to provide edits; the plan will also include a demographic appendix and an action plan for the next two years.

Next steps noted by staff: start ambassador recruitment in September, create application materials and outreach flyers (to be shared at Welcoming Week), hold a public comment period for the strategic plan, and return an edited plan to the commission for a formal recommendation in October so staff can present to council in November.

Ending: Commissioners agreed to continue refining ambassador criteria and to provide edits to the draft strategic plan; staff will coordinate recruitment materials and a public comment period ahead of the October commission meeting.