Report Out July 2024
The Equity Council convened on July 19th, 2024, focusing on the transition from Planning Phase to the Catalyst & Implementation Phases. Key topics included the timeline for this transition, the distinction between Catalyst Funds and Implementation Funding, roles and operational details, roles of Sector Investment Coordinators, and plans for pre development funding. The Council also set quarterly meetings going forward instead of monthly once the Planning Phase is complete. Additionally, they reviewed the draft Request for Proposal for the RRRISE Equity Resource Specialist, outlining responsibilities such as meeting facilitation, agenda management, reporting, new member onboarding, and collaboration with governing bodies as well as the Convening Team and Sector Coordinators. The Next Equity Council meeting is on August 2, 2024 from 10:30am-12:00pm.
Report Out June 2024
The Equity Council met on June 7, 2024, Thomas welcomed and introduced new Equity Council members: Anisa Escobedo, Julia Dunn, and Dr. Susanne and her partner Aerin Monroe.
Michelle from ThinkPlace West introduced the background behind creating the Equity Toolkit & its purpose to help ensure equity is being centered in the project development and implementation. ThinkPlace also shared the plans to incorporate the feedback provided and will have the completed toolkit for Equity Council to do a final review in the next 3 weeks. To close out the meeting they reviewed next steps on ensuring equity and opened up a conversation to discuss how they want to move forward in baking equity into this process.
Report Out May 2024
On May 3, 2024, Equity Council members debriefed about the two-day In Person Gathering in Loleta, CA. Members expressed roses and thorns in regards to each agenda item to provide helpful feedback for future event organizing efforts. There was a lot of helpful feedback around the Equity Planning Toolkit prototype that will help ThinkPlace West facilitators incorporate into the revised version which will be then given back to Equity Council to review before it’s finalized. The Equity Council also expressed interest in connecting with other governing bodies and the Economic Development Finance Working Group to integrate equity throughout. The next Equity Council meeting will be held on June 7, 2024.
Report Out April 2024
NCO Team Leadership Update: Roseanne Ibarra announced and introduced a new team leader, Tiffany Gibson, Director of Community Impact who will be leading the Outreach and Engagement at North Coast Opportunities.
Equity Council Co-Chair Resignation: Maria Dahlin announced the resignation of Former Vice Chair, Alissa Norman and nominated Thomas Stratton as newly appointed Vice Chair. Equity Council members present all voted and elected Thomas as the official new Vice Chair. We would like to specially thank Alissa Norman for her leadership and dedication during her time in Equity Council.
Charter and Scoring Rubric: The Equity Council members finalized both their Charter and Scoring Rubric.
Report Out March 2024
Redwood Region RISE's Equity Council had their ninth meeting on March 1, 2024. This meeting was the first meeting facilitated by newly appointed Equity Council Leadership, Chair Maria Dahlin and Vice Chair Alissa Norman. Equity Council’s primary focus this month has been on centering equity with Tribal engagement and planning for the In Person meeting. Equity Council members decided to create a Planning Committee to discuss the agenda design and planning for the In-Person Meeting. A total of seven Equity Council members volunteered to be on this sub committee and will be meeting shortly to discuss next steps. Equity Council had an additional meeting on March 14, 2024 where members successfully reviewed and selected grantees for the Tribal Engagement Grant.
Stay tuned for an official announcement of the Tribes being awarded. Equity Council’s next meeting will be on Friday, April 5, 2024 from 10:30am - 12:00 pm.