Philomath Inclusivity Committee finalizes handbook language, plans outreach and posting

Philomath — Members of the Philomath Inclusivity Committee spent the bulk of their October meeting reviewing and refining a draft committee handbook and community agreements, agreeing on several language changes and a near-term process to finalize and post the document.

Committee staff and volunteers said the goal of the revisions is to make the handbook more accessible and to clarify how the committee operates so potential applicants and community participants can understand expectations. "Building accessibility considerations of all kinds into committee actions and communications and practicing inclusivity" was the formulation members agreed to include in the final draft, according to staff and committee discussion.

Committee members debated specific phrasing in several bullets. The group agreed to replace a suggested heading of "accomplishments" with the word "work" to emphasize ongoing efforts rather than finished products. Members…