Estacada DEIC delays applicant approvals to January; discusses youth involvement

The Estacada Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee approved its consent agenda and voted to postpone action on new committee-member applications until a meet-and-greet and processing on Jan. 25.

During roll call the minutes from the Nov. 4 meeting were moved and the committee verbally recorded that the motion passed. Later, members moved to continue processing two community member applications and to schedule interviews or meet-and-greets in January so all applicants could appear together.

Members mentioned three prospective applicants by first name: Arlo (an Estacada High School freshman who submitted an application), Jen and Darren; one applicant had been out of state and unable to attend. The committee agreed to stage a combined January meeting to meet the applicants.

Members also discussed youth engagement. Mike said he had begun outreach to Estacada High School staff and to Tammy, the principal's assistant, to identify student interest and to encourage student-led participation rather than staff-driven efforts. He said one student applicant (Arlo) expressed interest in representing youth perspectives and that staff at the school appeared receptive but cautious about being seen as politically aligned. "He seems to be fairly interested in just representing this lens," Mike said of the student applicant.

For next steps the committee will: have staff coordinate a Jan. 25 meeting for applicant interviews and meet-and-greets; attempt to obtain all application materials before that date; and continue outreach to Estacada High School staff and student groups to explore forming a youth council presence. No formal appointments were made at the meeting.