Keizer diversity council adopts definitions for diversity, equity and justice; agrees to simplify volunteer interview packet and monitor committee agendas

The Keizer Community Diversity Engagement Council on Feb. 6 approved formal definitions for diversity, equity, inclusion and justice to be used in committee materials and for volunteer interviews. The council also agreed to simplify the volunteer coordinating committee (VCC) interview packet and to monitor city committee agendas so CDEC members can flag city projects that would benefit from the council’s review.

Key outcome: The council voted to adopt the definitions "as covered this evening" and to include them in the volunteer interview packet and scoring rubrics. During debate members recommended adding the word “impartiality” to the justice definition; Mayor Mary Clark introduced that wording during the discussion and the council accepted the change.

Why it matters: The definitions will guide how volunteers are evaluated and how the council frames future outreach and review of city programs. The volunteer coordinating committee had previously expressed discomfort conducting in-depth interviews with applicants; the council’s decision to simplify the questionnaire aims to provide a consistent, transparent tool…