Equity Standing Committee Charter Page 1 of 4
RESOLUTION 3770 EXHIBIT C
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PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION
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EQUITY STANDING COMMITTEE CHARTER
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Proposed February 11, 2020
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I. INTRODUCTION
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A. The Equity Committee, herein referred to as “the committee,” is a standing committee
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created by the Port of Seattle Commission. The committee will provide information, advice, and
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recommendations about the port’s equity, workforce development, and career connected
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learning programs and policies, and diversity in contracting goals.
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B. The Port of Seattle is committed to joining regional and national efforts to achieve equity
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and justice for all and recognizes our essential role in building a socially just institution by
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dismantling the structural barriers that have prevented the full participation of our most
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marginalized communities, particularly communities of color. To achieve equitable outcomes for
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all we will lead with a racial equity lens, instituting policies and practices that address the
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systemic inequity of economic opportunities, working conditions, impacts on local communities,
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and participation in port affairs.
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C. This charter defines the mission, composition, scope, authority, responsibility, and
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meeting structure of this committee.
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I. COMPOSITION
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The committee will consist of two Port of Seattle commissioners appointed by the commission
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president, after consultation with the commission, at the beginning of each calendar year in
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which the committee is active.
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II. SCOPE OF WORK
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The work of the Equity Standing Committee shall include the following areas and associated
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activities:
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A. Equity:
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1. Review and provide recommendations to the Commission on the development and
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implementation of the Duwamish Valley Community Benefits Policy Directive and the
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South King County Fund.
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2. Review and monitor internal and external equity programs, policies, systems and
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practices including but not limited to workforce development policy, community
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Item Number: 8a_attach_3
Meeting Date: February 11, 2020
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partnerships with an emphasis on environmental, racial, and economic justice, and
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effective channels of communication with port leaders in all port impacted
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communities.
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D. Workforce Development: Review and provide policy recommendations to the
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commission to develop port workforce development programs that support equitable access to
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port related jobs and opportunities.
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E. Career Connected Learning: Review and provide recommendations to the commission to
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guide the port’s career connected learning strategies. The strategies are intended to ensure that
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those participating in workforce development programs have access to real-world learning
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experiences in port-related industries and that connect students to meaningful and well-paying
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jobs at the Port of Seattle.
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F. Diversity in Contracting: Monitor the implementation of the Diversity in Contracting
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policy. Review and recommend to the commission policies that provide economic development
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opportunities to women- and minority-owned business enterprises based on equity principles.
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G. Communicate the port’s approved legislative agenda to the public as it relates to the
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scope of work for the committee.
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H. Review and recommend to the Port of Seattle Commission updates to the Century Agenda
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and policies to support the work of the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
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II. AUTHORITY
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A. In pursuit of its mission and scope, the committee is not legally authorized to act on behalf
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of the Port of Seattle Commission, but is authorized to conduct the following activities:
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B. Gather information, consider matters within the committee’s scope of work, and provide
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information, advice, and recommendations to the Port of Seattle Commission.
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C. Communicate the priorities of the Port of Seattle Commission.
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D. Engage in outreach efforts with community leaders and stakeholders and activities to
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gather information to provide to the Port of Seattle Commission.
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E. If the committee determines that to meet its responsibilities it needs the independent
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services of an outside advisor or consultant with equity, workforce development, or career
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connected learning expertise, it may propose the retention of such advisor or consultant to the
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commission for approval.
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III. DURATION
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The Equity Committee is a standing committee with broad purview over matters related to equity
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and will continue indefinitely until the commission repeals its charter.
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IV. RESPONSIBILITIES
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A. The role of the committee chair(s) shall be to:
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1. Preside at meetings and serve as committee sponsor(s);
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2. Ensure that the committee addresses the purposes described in this charter; and
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3. Set committee meeting agendas.
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B. The Commission Policy Manager is the committee liaison, and commission specialists will
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support the work of the committee as assigned. The role of the committee liaison shall be to:
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1. Regularly update the commission on the work of the committee in memos, individual
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briefings, and public session;
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2. Support the work of the committee;
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3. Help develop, manage, and distribute meeting materials;
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4. Provide logistical support including procuring meeting rooms, scheduling, creating
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meeting records, and providing technical assistance; and
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5. Coordinate with the primary executive staff contact to keep the Executive Director
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informed about committee progress.
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C. The Port of Seattle Senior Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion or delegate will
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support the committee as the primary executive staff contact. The role of the executive staff
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contact shall be to:
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1. Inform the Executive Director about committee progress;
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2. Support the committee with timely and responsive information;
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3. Coordinate with other executive staff in support of the committee’s work; and
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4. Serve as a resource for committee deliberation.
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V. MEETINGS
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A. The committee will meet at least quarterly and will report to the commission in public
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session to provide transparency as to progress made in executing its charter.
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B. A quorum of the committee is required to conduct official committee business. A quorum
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is defined as the presence of both commissioners assigned to the committee.
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C. Meetings of the Equity Committee shall be open to the public when required by applicable
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law or the bylaws of the Port of Seattle Commission.
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D. Agendas will be prepared and made available to committee members in advance of
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meetings.
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E. Agendas for updates to the commission to be presented in public session will be published
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as part of regular or special commission meeting notices.
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F. Minutes will be prepared and retained for all meetings of the committee.
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G. Records of committee meetings, including any meeting minutes, shall be provided to the
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commission clerk for appropriate retention in accordance with applicable law and best practices.
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