Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; DEI Committee Member

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee Member

The Village Board is seeking applications to fill a vacancy on the DEI Committee.

The committee shall consist of seven (7) members appointed by the village president, subject to confirmation by the village board. One member shall be a village trustee. One member shall be a student. One additional member may also be a student. All members shall be residents of the Village of Oregon. Due consideration shall be given to ensuring membership reflects the diverse backgrounds and characteristics of the Oregon community.

A majority of the members of the committee, excluding any vacant positions, shall constitute a quorum, except that a quorum may not consist of less than three (3) members.

Committee members, except student members, shall hold office for three (3) year terms, except that to achieve staggered three-year terms non-board member initial appointments shall be as follows: two (2) members for a term of one (1) year; two (2) members for a term of two (2) years; and two members (2) for a term of three (3) years. The village board member shall serve a one
-year term. The initial appointments were made in January 2022 but shall be deemed to have been made at the first organizational meeting following the April election in 2022, such that terms shall extend to, and further appointments shall be made at, the first organizational meeting following the April election each year. For example, the members appointed in January 2022 for one (1) year terms shall serve until the organization meeting following the April election in 2023.

No member may serve on the committee for more than all or part of three (3) consecutive terms, except that a former member may return continuously for up to all or part of an additional three (3) consecutive terms following a one (1) year break. (3) Vacancies. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment of the village president, subject to confirmation by the village board, for the unexpired term.

The committee shall annually select from its members a chair, vice chair, and secretary. The chair, or vice chair in the chair’s absence, shall preside at all meetings of the committee. The secretary shall keep true and accurate records of the proceedings of the committee.

No member shall receive any compensation for their service on the committee.

The committee shall serve as an advisory body to the village board. It shall be the function of the committee to review and make recommendations on village practices, policies, procedures, objectives, and goals as related to diversity, equity, and inclusion; identify ways to encourage all village elected/appointed officials, village staff, resident appointees, and community members at large to learn about diversity, equity, and inclusion;

advocate for and promote the engagement of all voices of the community and recommend the creation of mechanisms for such engagement; serve as a liaison, resource, and connection for the village and community members at large on diversity, equity, and inclusion matters; identify initiatives for how the village can work towards advancing racial equity, social justice, diversity, and inclusion; and the making and recommendation of any related plans and reports on such duties to the village board.

The village board may refer matters to the committee for its consideration and recommendation.

The Village of Oregon Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee (DEI) exists to cultivate, promote, and preserve a culture that honors and values the collective sum of our individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, innovation, self-expression, and gifts. The DEI makes recommendations to the Village Board that fulfills this purpose and supports our vision.

We envision a community that welcomes and respects the unique contributions that each individual brings from their culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran's status, immigration status, color, religion, disability, education, perspectives, sexual orientation and beliefs.

We draw upon the work of the Annie E Casey Foundation, 2020, to define Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

Diversity is defined as the entire range of human differences that includes, but it not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, religious affiliation, and national origin.

The concept of equity is synonymous with fairness and justice. It is helpful to think of equity as not simply a desired state of affairs or a lofty value. To be achieved and sustained, equity needs to be thought of as a structural and systemic concept.

Inclusion puts the concept of diversity into action by creating an environment of involvement, respect, and connection. More than simple diversity and numerical representation, inclusion involves authentic and empowered…