Inclusivity committee members report working‑group surveys, schedule December training

Committee members provided updates on multiple working groups and on plans for community trainings and reports.

At the meeting the accessibility working group reported 84 survey responses and said it expects additional responses through fall outreach. Members encouraged distributing paper cards and in‑person outreach to raise participation.

Economic equity: The economic equity working group said it is moving from data collection to drafting recommendations, including guidance on the overnight parking program and rental application fees. The group recommended highlighting portable background checks to reduce repeated costs for renters and suggested promoting energy‑conservation programs such as Santa Fe Housing Trust’s retrofit assistance.

Justice system and LGBTQ work

The justice‑system working group reported a short survey to evaluate accessibility efforts and staffing diversity for agencies that interact with courts and police, with plans to compare local practices to other jurisdictions. The LGBTQ working group said it has printed handouts for its survey and is distributing both online and physical copies; responses remain limited but outreach is ongoing.

Training schedule and presentation access

The chair reported a recent presentation by a guest identified as Richard and said the group should improve recording and distribution practices for future trainings. Committee members arranged for the New Mexico Transgender Resource Center to present at a December meeting (committee discussion placed that training on Wednesday, Dec. 3). The chair and vice chair discussed whether future trainings should be posted as public meetings and whether presenters would permit recording; members agreed to check presenters’ preferences and to consider public versus member‑only attendance depending on quorum and the presenters’ wishes.

Report deadlines and next steps

Working groups were asked to produce rough committee reports by November so the committee can identify common themes and compile a final report by early December. Members said those reports will be used to form recommendations rather than to present additional guest speakers.