Lacey commission maps SOAR priorities to guide 2026 work plan
Summary
Commissioners conducted a SOAR (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, Results) exercise to identify short-term (12-month) priorities for 2026, emphasizing quarterly regional meetings, youth engagement, multilingual outreach, mentorship and measurable results tied to the adopted diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging strategic plan.
The Commission on Equity spent the bulk of its Oct. 27 meeting completing a SOAR strategic-planning exercise to shape the commission's 2026 work plan.
Assistant City Manager Shannon Kelly Fong walked commissioners through the SOAR framework and reminded the group that the exercise was grounded in the city's adopted diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging strategic plan. Commissioners listed strengths including sustained city-council support, diverse member backgrounds, department partnerships and the equity map.
During the Opportunities and Aspirations portions, members suggested a set of near-term priorities: initiate quarterly regional advisory meetings, expand youth and young-adult engagement, pilot multilingual newsletters and targeted neighborhood listening sessions using the equity heat map. Commissioners discussed mentorship programs and increasing department requests for commission input as measures of influence.
On Results, commissioners said success would look like measurable progress against performance indicators, visible changes in community engagement and more departments seeking the commission's advice. Staff committed to consolidate tonight's notes into a draft 2026 work plan and return that draft for review in December before seeking Council consideration in January.
The commission set procedural next steps and timelines rather than adopting new policy at this meeting.
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