Council vice chair urges labor equity; executive committee proposes bylaws work group

The council's vice chair read prepared remarks asserting that representation is not the same as equity and that Black, Indigenous and other people of color on the council are disproportionately doing the work and should not shoulder the labor of educating others alone.

"Representation alone is not equity," the vice chair said, adding that "equity work requires shared labor" and urging the council to pursue structural and cultural changes so leadership does not become synonymous with overextension for some members.

Council members responded with personal reflections and practical suggestions. Kendra emphasized the need for supports that enable participation, including living wages, transportation, child care and training tied to career pathways. Ada and Alex encouraged newer members to "dive in" while acknowledging that long-serving members carry institutional knowledge.

Next steps: Kendra proposed forming a small, three-to-five-member ad hoc work group to revisit the council's bylaws over about 12 months; the executive committee will approve the final text but will not serve on the drafting group. Staff asked members to volunteer or indicate interest so the work group can begin drafting language that clarifies expectations for participation and mechanisms to distribute workload equitably.

The discussion did not produce a final policy change during the meeting; instead, members asked staff to advertise volunteer opportunities and begin a collaborative drafting process.