Flagstaff diversity commission plans a yearlong proclamation and outreach calendar

The Commission on Diversity Awareness voted at its July 31 meeting to create a working calendar of proclamations, heritage-month features and commissioner-led community highlights for the coming year.

Chair Manny Hernandez opened the meeting by asking commissioners to bring ideas for the commission's priorities and said he would compile a working calendar: "I'll keep a list while everyone shares, what their ideas and maybe what the Commission's impact they feel like could be," he said. The group agreed to a voluntary signup model so commissioners can prepare materials in advance and present drafts for group vetting months before publication.

The commission discussed pairing proclamations with human-centered content such as interviews and event highlights. One commissioner proposed monthly interviews with local business owners or community members to be shared on city channels where possible; staff emphasized that the commission should prepare content packages for communications staff to review rather than posting directly.

Staff reiterated the commission's formal duty: "[The commission's] duty, to advise city council on issues and methods promoting diversity awareness within the city of Flagstaff," and commissioners agreed to coordinate with other commissions and the communications team to avoid duplicative proclamations and to respect scheduling constraints.

The commission will develop the calendar in coming weeks, aim to finalize selections in November for December review by communications, and to begin rollout in January. The group agreed to revisit the calendar at the September meeting when more members are expected to attend.

Ending: The commission adjourned at 11:21 a.m.; staff will circulate a summary and a draft calendar for commissioners to review before the September meeting.