Estacada DEI committee introduces AmeriCorps member, plans outreach with Clackamas LEDIC and monthly hazard posts

The Estacada Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee introduced a new AmeriCorps outreach member and discussed several outreach and partnership steps at its meeting, including attending Clackamas CountyLEDIC meetings, running listening sessions targeted at older residents and veterans, and posting monthly hazard-mitigation guidance on the city—s Facebook page.

The committee unanimously approved the minutes from its September meeting at the start of the session. After the vote, Chair Kimberly called the group to committee business and introduced the new AmeriCorps member. "Hi. My name is Ellie. I am the rare AmeriCorps member here this year. I'll be here from 2 weeks ago until the July, and I am working as the outreach and engagement coordinator on issues to do with water quality and the TMDL," the new member said, describing plans for a civics academy to run from mid-January to mid-February.

Why it matters: committee members said outreach is a central task for the commission and that partnering with neighboring jurisdictions and county programs could speed up work and broaden community participation. The group discussed using established venues (churches, community centers, the Odd Fellows hall, Whispering Pines) and existing county training curricula to build drug-abuse-prevention and veteran/elder-focused classes. Committee members suggested using Clackamas County trainings and a "train-the-trainer" model rather than creating new curriculum from scratch.

Details: committee members agreed to pursue several practical next steps. They will try to attend a Clackamas County LEDIC (Leaders for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Council) meeting to observe and learn. LEDIC meets on the fourth Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.; the committee discussed sending a group to the next meeting or having a LEDIC representative join an Estacada listening session.

The committee also agreed to start a monthly hazard-mitigation post on the city's Facebook page that would remind residents of seasonal risks (fire season, flood season, power outages) and provide sign-up links for county alerts and contact numbers such as the burn-ban information line. Mads, the committee's city representative who manages social media for the commission, was assigned to facilitate those posts. Kimberly circulated ready-made, translated social-media messages from a regional preparedness organization and said the materials include versions for Spanish speakers and people with disabilities.

Youth engagement and community groups: members discussed student participation and a youth representative tied to schools rather than a commission-anchored youth council. They identified Jason Hobson at the high school (CTE) as a potential contact for extra-credit or school-aligned civic participation and agreed to explore partnerships with local youth organizations such as Amp Farm.

Logistics and coordination: the committee noted weak turnout for an earlier Oktoberfest tabling and agreed they should coordinate schedules and staffing for future events. They also flagged limited notice from city staff for county listening sessions (for example, a Clackamas County houselessness listening session) and asked to be notified earlier so they can participate or help publicize events.

Votes at a glance: The committee approved the September minutes by voice vote. A formal roll-call tally was not recorded on the transcript; the motion was moved by a committee member (not specified in the record) and seconded by Chair Kimberly. Outcome: approved.

What—s next: members agreed to confirm LEDIC meeting details and to circulate times and locations via text. They also asked Mads to schedule the first hazard-mitigation post and to send copy for committee review before publication.