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Fargo HRC presses to set strategic‑planning date, standardize onboarding and agenda process
Summary
Commissioners agreed to schedule a strategic‑planning meeting this quarter, asked staff to circulate a scheduling poll, discussed hiring a professional facilitator, and proposed formalizing onboarding, name badges and a standing agenda‑setting slot.
Sitka Sirleaf, chair of the Human Rights Commission, opened discussion on the commission’s delayed strategic planning and asked commissioners to propose dates they could attend in the first quarter of 2025.
Members said the planning session should occur before the Feb. 20 HRC meeting; several commissioners proposed a Doodle poll to capture availability. “We should start with that,” Sirleaf said, urging staff to send a group email and poll to identify possible dates. Brenda, the commission administrative contact, said she would work with commissioners and staff to circulate scheduling options.
Commissioners debated whether to hire an outside facilitator. Several members said a professional would be helpful; others said locking a date first is necessary so an invited facilitator can confirm availability. Commissioners discussed partnering informally with Moorhead’s commission and connecting with other area communities before finalizing the scope.
Members also discussed onboarding and standard practices: creating a formal orientation for new commissioners, standardizing monthly agenda‑setting meetings (proposed for the Wednesday before the regular meeting at noon), and adding headshots and short bios to the city website. Sirleaf and others argued the onboarding work should be folded into the strategic plan and could be assigned to a subcommittee.
Commissioner John Strand, representing city leadership at the meeting, encouraged the HRC to “continue your path forward” and not delay the commission’s planning while the City Commission conducts its own strategic process.
Directions agreed in the meeting included a request for Brenda to distribute a scheduling poll and for the commission chair and small group to propose time windows that align with upcoming HRC meeting dates. Commissioners also supported standardizing an agenda‑setting meeting time and adding onboarding to the strategic planning agenda.
Why it matters: Commissioners said a completed strategic plan will clarify priorities, restore momentum for subcommittees and provide a framework for outreach, training and onboarding new members.
