COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO Leon L. Williams San Diego County Human Relations Commission Agenda Item Date: February 23, 2021 7 To: Leon L. Williams San Diego County Human Relations Commission Subject: UPDATE ON VACANCIES – DEMOGRAPHICS AND PROCESS FOR COMMISSION SEAT NOMINATIONS Overview The Commission has two (2) open seats for nomination. The Commission requested updated demographics of the current members. Today, staff will present the updated demographics and provide the overview of the process for the Commission nominated seats. Action Item(s) Review the demographics information presented and identify communities currently underrepresented on the Commission. Background The Leon L. Williams San Diego County Human Relations Commission (Commission) was established on May 19, 2020, to “promote positive human relations, respect, and the integrity of every individual regardless of gender, religion, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, or citizenship status.” (Resolution Number 20-054, Section 1.) The County of San Diego Board of Supervisors established the Commission as a “positive step to reduce sources of tension and conflict in San Diego County,” with the intention of making “recommendations to alleviate discrimination and intolerance and serve as a resource to the Board of Supervisors and County departments on issues related to human rights and relations. The Commissioners would serve as a liaison to community groups, provide feedback on effective outreach and engagement tactics and review progress made to lessen hate crimes, bias, human rights violations and other related matters.” (Board Letter, Agenda Item 26, May 19, 2020.) The Commission is comprised of thirty-one (31) members. Of those thirty-one (31) members, the Commission nominates seven (7) for appointment by the Board. There are factors for the Commission to consider in making their nominations. Specifically, “[e]ach Commission nomination shall: . attempt to nominate members of the community to create a Commission that is reflective of:” a. “the demographics, diversity, and culture of San Diego County; b. including, comprehensive representation of age, gender, socioeconomic status, ethnic background, culture, religion, sexual orientation, and geographical distribution; c. consider the prospective Commissioner’s knowledge and awareness of the problems and causes of intergroup tension and conflict; and, d. demonstrated commitment to fostering better human relations.” (Resolution No 20-054, Section 3.) The Commission adopted and Board approved Bylaws also reflect the above requirements. (Bylaws, Article II, Section A.) Nominations by the Commission require a majority vote for the nominees to be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for confirmation. Pursuant to the Resolution establishing the Commission, as well the Bylaws, there are thirty-one (31) seats, comprised as follows: the Board of Supervisors each nominate three individuals, one of which is a youth, for a total of fifteen (15); two (2) members are seated ex-officio; seven (7) seats are designated for named outside organizations to designate their nominee to the Board for confirmation; and, seven (7) seats are designated for the Commission to name individuals for Board confirmation. Currently, there are ten (10) Board nominated seats and two (2) Commission nominated seats vacant. The seven (7) outside organization seats and their current designees are: 1) Jewish Family Service of San Diego (Kate Clark); 2) San Diego LGBT Community Center (Cara Dessert); 3) International Rescue Committee (Rashid Essa); 4) San Diego Rapid Response Network (Norma Chavez-Peterson); 5) Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association (Angela Elliot Santos); 6) San Diego Chapter of the Black American Political Association of California (Ellen Nash); and, 7) Asian Pacific Islander representative who shall be appointed by the Union of Pan Asian Communities, Asian Business Association of San Diego, and San Diego API Coalition (Samuel Tsoi). Terms of Commission Members Commission member terms are based on how they were nominated. Those members who were nominated by a Board of Supervisor serves for a term concurrently with the term of the nominating Supervisor’s term. Members nominated by the Commission serve a two-year term. Members nominated/designated by one of the seven (7) outside organizations listed in the Resolution establishing the Commission serve an indefinite period. Demographics of the County and Commission The Commission asked for the demographics of the County and Commission as it reviews opportunities for representation on the Commission. We obtained the information about the County from the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), the Pew Research Center, and the Williams Institute from UCLA School of Law. The Commission demographics were based on self-reported answers. Please see the attached demographics summary (Attachment A). Nomination Process The Commission can nominate individuals who have submitted applications. The Commission makes its nominations in light of the factors listed in the Resolution and stated herein. The nomination process established by the Commission is as follows: 1. Receive updated demographics and identify opportunities for representation on the Commission; 2. Members receive and review the applications; 3. Each Member creates a shortlist of up to 3 individuals for Commission consideration; 4. Members send staff their shortlist a week before the nominations meeting; 5. Staff compiles the list, noting names identified multiple times, and includes the information in the Agenda materials; 6. The Commission discusses and makes nominations from the names submitted at the designated nominations meeting; Through February 19th, 55 applications have been received. This includes 31 applications submitted as part of the earlier nomination process. We are including the applications with this Agenda item so that you have sufficient time to review them and send in your respective shortlists (Attachment C). For ease of reference, we have made a list of all the applicant names (Attachment B). Next Steps The Commission has two (2) seats for which to make nominations. 1. At today’s meeting, the Commission is asked to undertake Step 1: Receive the updated demographics and identify opportunities for representation on the Commission. 2. Review the applications and send staff your shortlist by February 28th. 3. Nominations will be on the March 4th Agenda. Attachments A. Demographics Summary B. Applicant List of Names C. 55 Applications Originating Department Office of Ethics and Compliance Contact Person(s): Claudia Silva Office of Ethics and Compliance (619) 531-5174 2021 Leon L. Williams Human Relations Commission Application List Applications Received through February 19, 2021 1. Abena Briscoe-Stephenson 2. AJ Wilson 3. Andrew Feaster 4. Benjamin Mendoza 5. Bettie Wells 6. Blanca Melendrez 7. Brandan Robertson 8. Brenda Miller 9. Bruce Abrams 10. Catherine Mattice 11. Christian Tyler Allen 12. Christina Griffin-Jones 13. Christina Perry 14. Cinnamon Clark 15. Devorah Marcus 16. Donna Smith 17. Dwight Ritter 18. Eissa Jamil 19. Fernando Lopez 20. Gaphyne Watson 21. Gayle Wise 22. Griselda Delgado 23. Helen Horvath 24. Joan Domingos 25. Julia Legaspi 26. Kate Chasin 27. Keisha Clark 28. Lucero Chavez Ramirez 29. Madeline Wozniak 30. Marlena Balderas 31. Max Disposti 32. Mejgan Afshan 33. Mudita Tiwary 34. Nadia Kean-Ayub 35. Patricia Kay Coleman 36. Rachel Zhan 37. RC Shields 38. Regina Roberts 39. Ryan Darsey 40. Richard Barton 41. Rickie Brown 42. Robert Brown 43. Rosa Vasquez 1 44. Ryan Trabuco 45. Samuel Merrill 46. Sarah Farouq 47. Terrence Shigg 48. Tezeru Teshome 49. Theodore Kagan 50. Tiffany Gonzalez 51. Vanessa Green 52. William Felix 53. William Kelly 54. Yasmeen Obeid 55. Zoe McNeil - 2 COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO APPLICATION FOR COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO BOARD, COMMISSION, OR COMMITTEE INSTRUCTIONS: Please complete this form in its entirety. Be sure to include the full title of the Board, Commission or Committee for which you desire consideration. Note the additional requirements listed at the bottom of the second page. For Official Use On/ Please note that this application is a public record subject to disclosure. This application will be maintained for a period of one year. After one year, it is necessary to file a new application for another year of eligibility. Submit the completed application to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, BCC Desk, 1600 Pacific Highway, Room 402, San Diego, CA 92101-2471 or via e-mail at [email protected] Mendoza Benjamin last Name First Name Human Relations Commission District 4 Name of Board, Committee, or Commission to Which You are Applying/or Membership Supervisorial District You live In County boards, commissions, and committees meet at times mutually satisfactory to the members. Day meetings are more common than evening meetings. Will you be able to schedule your time accordingly? ii!!!! Yes □ No Please list any time restrictions What are your principal areas of interest in County Government? Racial Equality, Gender Equity, Homelessness, Housing, Education List all County Boards, Commissions or Committees of which you are a current member. Committee Name Date Appointed N/A N/A List past County appointments with dates served, and other past or present community or public service appointments. Committee/Organization Name Dates Served N/A N/A Page I of3 STATEMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPERIENCE University