Minutes 09-07-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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9 Chair Dorosin said there is an upcoming work session where boards will be discussed. Chair Dorosin said diversity and seniors Discussion on this item was integrated with the item below: Attachment 3 —Orange County Demographic Report-Another Aspect of Equity: Composition of Our Town and County Advisory Boards Chair Dorosin said Attachment 3 is a report from Allison DeMarco, FPG Child Development Institute, that was sent to the County and the Towns. Commissioner Price said when people of different cultural backgrounds apply they are often overlooked in favor of applicants that have personal connections to the BOCC. She said diversity must include the willingness to have people who think differently than the BOCC, even if it means disagreeing. Commissioner Marcoplos said more applicants are needed in general. Commissioner Jacobs said just because an applicant has certain characteristics does not mean they are qualified. He said he reviews many variables when considering applicants. He said the review in Attachment 3 shows the BOCC does a fairly good job representing the population. He said the BOCC tries to diversify whenever possible. Commissioner Rich said she will sometimes call applicants and ask why the applicant wants to be on the board. She said if the applications are not put forth it is difficult to facilitate diversity. She said she does not know the solution. Commissioner Jacobs said the pool of candidates is small. He said the Clerk's office does a lot to advertise, but maybe there are more creative ways. He said Twitter may be a good resource. Chair Dorosin said the BOCC gets recommendations from some of the boards, and wonders if the board chairs have been told of the BOCC's commitment to diversity and inclusion. Commissioner McKee said he and Commissioner Jacobs met with the board chairs three or four years ago, and highlighted that topic. Commissioner Burroughs said those conversations cannot happen often enough. Thom Freeman asked if it would be helpful to notify the BOCC when an opening is available. Chair Dorosin said the Board members are trying to drum up applicants any time they can. He said he shares the PSAs with his university students. Commissioner Marcoplos said he tries to spread the word often as well, and there is no magic bullet to improve the diversity. He said the need must be repeatedly put forth to the public. Commissioner Jacobs said for a few years the Chair/Vice Chair, the Manager and the Clerk met annually with the advisory board chairs, which was useful. Commissioner Jacobs said the Master Aging Plan included a request for seniors to be more present on advisory boards. John Roberts said the applications are public records, and birthdays are confidential information. He said it may be appropriate to ask someone's age for a youth/senior designated position. Chair Dorosin said existing boards could be surveyed to assess current age diversity, but having birthdates/age on the application is likely problematic. Commissioner Price said it is important to let people know that all meetings are open to the public.