Leaders for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Council (LEDIC) - Oct. 28, 2025

Agenda

1. 5:30 Welcome, Land Acknowledgement
   Chair
2. 5:40 Introductions/ Check-in
   Chair/Vice Chair
3. 5:55 Public Comment
4. 6:00 Old business-  (notes, member approval)
   All
5. 6:20 Chair and vice chair election (three-year term)
   All
6. 6:40 LEDIC name
   All
7. 7:00 Mission statement
   All
   LEDIC is a volunteer advisory council that was created on May 15, 2003; members are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. The main purpose of the council is to act as a liaison to the County on matters relating to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.   
8. 7:20 Announcements/Future
9. 7:30 Adjourn

Next Meeting, November 25, 2025
 

Minutes

Staff: Maria Magallon
Members Present: Chair, Tory Blackwell, Joselito Tanega, Emily Cooper, Melissa Roy-Hart, Vanessa Huckaby, Gabrielle Blaug, Desiree Thomas, Sirius Bonner, Monte Starr,
Members Absent: Aprille Flint-Gerner, Brandi Johnson, Lori Bender, Mike Foley, SandeBea Allman
Guests: Clerk, Catherine McMullen

Meeting summary 

The LEDIC meeting began with introductions and personal reflections, including discussions of challenges members face due to nonprofit closures and job losses. The group conducted elections for leadership positions and discussed updating the organization's bylaws. A significant portion of the meeting focused on changing the council's name to better reflect its mission, with members brainstorming and voting on options that incorporate elements of advocacy, social justice, and community engagement.

Next steps

• Maria: Resend the November meeting calendar invite to confirm quorum
• Maria: Send survey link to council members for name rankings
• Maria: Share trigger words (according to the federal government) handout from the diversity conference
• Maria: Review options for co-chairing or additional vice chair positions when reviewing bylaws
• Tory: Bring updated land acknowledgment with labor acknowledgment to future meetings
• Tory: Create and send a Google Form poll to Maria for members to rank the five name options
• Tory: Bring the five name options to Emmett and the college’s LEAP office for feedback  
• Tory: Report back on feedback from Emmett and the LEAP office at the November meeting
• Tory: Forward flyer for EL Dia de los Muertos event to interested members
• All members: Send a ranked list of the five name options to Maria before the November meeting
• Maria: Put a note to review options for co-chairing or additional vice chair positions when reviewing the bylaws.  

Introductions 

Chair Tory called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m. The LEDIC meeting began with Maria reading a land acknowledgment, followed by introductions and a check-in led by Tory. Tory encouraged attendees to share something that brings them joy to help manage anxiety and negativity.   The group shared personal experiences of joy and challenges, with several members, including Sirius, expressing difficulty due to nonprofit closures and job losses. Tory encouraged maintaining hope despite difficult circumstances, citing Kamala Harris's remarks about the importance of hope in overcoming adversity..  

Chair and Vice Chair elections and voting  

The group held elections for chair and vice chair positions, with Vanessa Huckabee and Tori elected to those roles, respectively. Maria noted that the bylaws are being updated and will consider adding options for co-chairs or multiple vice chairs.  Sirius made a motion, and Joselito seconded it to accept Vanessa as co-chair and Tory as vice-chair.  Members voted all in favor, no one abstained; motion passed; Tory will provide coaching and guidance for Vanessa to prepare to take over the meeting's leadership.

Council Name Change Discussion

Tory shared his thoughts on the importance of considering a name change based on the group's work and future goals rather than in response to opposition. Members brainstormed new names or terms that reflect the council's mission, such as advocacy, collaboration, engagement, leadership, community, social justice, and belonging. The group reviewed and discussed 16 potential commission/council names, narrowing them to 5 options. 

Tory will send a survey link so members can rank their preferred choices.  The goal is to have two top options to submit to County Counsel for review.

Tory will collect these rankings via a Google Form and present feedback from Emmett and the LEAP office.

LEDIC Mission Statement  

The group discussed the mission statement, which may need updating to reflect the new name.  

Announcements and Upcoming Events

Members shared upcoming events and announcements, including Dia de los Muertos celebrations, the Willamette Week Give Guide, and the Gladstone Community Festival. The conversation ended with a reminder about the November meeting, which will be virtual due to Maria's eye surgery. 

Adjourn  

Meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m.

Next meeting  November 25, 2025