Alachua County Equity Advisory Council seeks volunteers
Press release from Alachua County
ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – Alachua County invites residents to join the newly created Equity Advisory Council (EAC). The eight-member EAC advises the County Commission and works alongside staff and the community to build open dialogue and partnerships and to implement County plans. The EAC is taking applications until October 16, 2023, for its initial council.
The EAC is looking for members of the community with the following characteristics: a commitment to racial and gender equity, social and environmental justice, diversity, and inclusion; the ability to work collaboratively with people of diverse perspectives and experiences; connections with local historically marginalized communities; experience/expertise in education, employment, housing, health and human services, criminal justice, or business; and experience, skills, and knowledge in policy development, research, evaluation, program/service design, and delivery.
Two initial appointments are for a one-year term, two are for a two-year term, and three are for three-year terms. After the initial appointment, all members will serve three-year terms.
The purpose of the EAC is to assist the County Commission in achieving equity in its community and work. Specific plans include establishing an annual work program for the Equity Advisory Council and assisting and advising the County on equity action plans. The EAC also collaborates with Alachua County Staff on citizen participatory research related to organization and departmental equity plans and processes; assists the County in reviewing policies, programs, and services for racial and gender bias; and recommends eliminating such bias. The EAC engages with other County committees, relevant stakeholders, agencies, non-profits, and communities related to equity and ensures that input from neighborhoods and communities that are most impacted or disadvantaged by racial and social inequity is included in the development of policy recommendations and the design and delivery of County programs and services.
“Please join Alachua County in becoming part of the change we want to see in the world,” said Alachua County Equity and Community Outreach Manager Diedre Houchen. “Join us in creating a stronger, more inclusive, equitable Alachua County.”
“Join us in creating a stronger, more inclusive, equitable Alachua County.”
Sure…and does that mean law abiding tax paying citizens get to pay for all the equity too?
I appreciate equality but not equity.
Ironic don’t you think? Advertising for “Equity Advisory” seats by showing a show of hands displaying little to no equity. Great job to the PR crew.
Been mentioned quite often who the real racists are in the community, may want to rethink what some have been telling you.
Most of us know what the word justice means; what do the terms “social and environmental justice” mean? Why does the local Democrat machine want equity (which is defined as equal pay for unequal work) instead of equality?
It’s somehow interesting that the photo graphic of hands accompanying the press release (which was provided by the County, not by the Chronicle, you can see it on the County website too) is so racially undiverse. Is there a message there?
Why don’t you guys get off the porch and volunteer. No doubt you can show them how it’s done.
Wouldn’t make the vetting process. It’s not that many of us aren’t the right color, we’re not of the same progressive ideologies.
In light of your colorblindness, the hands in the photo are primarily one color; even without whitewashing. Given the objective of inclusive and equitable policies, it also appears the photo is more reflective of liberal hypocrisy than inclusiveness of the racial diversity within the community.
The principal definition of “equity” is “the quality of being fair or impartial”. How is taking the fruits of labor from those who earned it and giving it to those who didn’t “fair”. How is denying someone a job or a chance to attend a college because of the color of their skin “impartial”. What about decisions to exempt entire demographics from the duty to obey the law? Do you think anyone who really understands the concept of “equity” would ever have a chance of getting selected to be on this committee?