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Bend HREC votes to host Welcoming Week event, sets timeline and small planning group
Summary
The Human Rights and Equity Commission voted to host a Welcoming Week event, agreed to revise a proclamation for council review, and formed a small volunteer planning group to design outreach and program options ahead of a Sept. 3 City Council work session.
The City of Bend Human Rights and Equity Commission voted on June 25 to host a Welcoming Week event and began planning a September timeline that will include a proclamation and a council work session.
The commission approved a motion to host an event during Welcoming Week; Commissioner Scott Jones moved the motion and Commissioner Jen Kovetz seconded it. The motion carried unanimously.
The commission's equity staff laid out a schedule that would revise the city proclamation this summer and present a programmatic update at a Sept. 3 City Council work session. Andres Portela, the citys equity and inclusion director, told commissioners the department will draft a proclamation, solicit community edits, and work with HREC to identify community partners and volunteers. "We would like to share that with ATrek and have y'all do the first read," Portela said, urging volunteers to help review language before a July meeting.
Commissioners discussed four model event formats staff proposed: small "tables of belonging" dinners with facilitated dialogue; a public kickoff tabling event; a curated dialogue focused on safety and belonging; and a storytelling panel about migration, memory and belonging. Several commissioners urged blending approaches and emphasized outreach to audiences that do not normally attend city events.
Commissioner Kinsey Martin and others argued for pushing programming into community venues and partnering with organizations that already reach underserved residents, rather than relying solely on city-hosted panels. Portela said staff have begun collecting locations and partner leads from earlier City Fest outreach and will invite applicants who register by the July 1 application portal deadline to a mid-July convening of event sponsors and partners.
A small volunteer planning group (fewer than a quorum) of commissioners will form to refine an event concept and return a recommended plan to the full commission. Commissioners Agatha Ventura, Jen Kovetz and Christina Morales Moliano volunteered during the meeting, and staff said they will reach out to coordinate next steps.
Next steps identified by staff included: sharing a draft proclamation with volunteers and HREC in July, soliciting community edits, confirming event applicants, and presenting a program and proclamation for Council consideration at the Sept. 3 work session.
Votes at a glance - Motion: Host a Welcoming Week event as HREC. Moved by Commissioner Scott Jones; seconded by Commissioner Jen Kovetz. Outcome: approved (unanimous). - Administrative motion (meeting minutes): Approve April 30 and May 28, 2025 draft minutes. Moved by Commissioner Bernadico; seconded by Commissioner Jones. Outcome: approved (unanimous). - Motion: Move HREC letter regarding shelter funding forward (see separate article). Moved by Commissioner Vernadico; seconded by Commissioner Hannon. Outcome: approved (unanimous).
The commission will reconvene working volunteers before the next HREC meeting to refine a recommended event plan and logistics for staff to coordinate with community partners.
