Members of the Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee debated whether to create standing subcommittees or limited working groups to build momentum on initiatives that require work outside monthly public meetings.

Why it matters: members said the committee often moves slowly because substantive work needs to be done between meetings. Subcommittees or working groups would allow focused work on recurring tasks (for example, the Strength and Diversity Award) or one-off projects (for example, onboarding materials or a climate-survey follow-up).

Discussion details: Chair Veronica Pillar framed the issue by noting WDIC’s longstanding status and lack of formal subcommittee structure. Members recalled a prior formal subcommittee, the LGBTQIA law-enforcement subcommittee (2017–2019), which worked with the sheriff’s office on training, jail tours and policy documents and was credited with tangible outcomes. Members suggested possible targets for new groups: onboarding new WDIC members, stewardship of the Lesbian McBean Claiborne Strength and Diversity Award, data and outreach related to the county climate survey, and proclamation drafting.

Clerks’ guidance: the legislature clerk recommended that recurring work such as the Strength and Diversity Award be handled as a working group (time-limited for each year) and that a standing subcommittee be established in the bylaws if the body intends a permanent structure. The clerk also noted that subcommittees may include members who are not on the main advisory committee and that officers and reporting expectations should be stated in bylaws.

Decisions and next steps: no formal vote established new subcommittees at the meeting. Members agreed to reflect on which topics have sufficient sustained work to justify a subcommittee and to continue the discussion at the next WDIC meeting; staff will follow up by email to finalize dates and membership for any working groups.

Ending: Members agreed that clearly articulated purpose and tasks are necessary to avoid a subcommittee or group “fizzling.” The committee will revisit the issue with potential bylaws language and proposed membership.