Two Members Resign From Dufferin Diversity Committee

TWO RESIGNATIONS FROM DUFFERIN COUNTY DIVERSITY COMMITTEE

As a result of multiple resignations, three spots have opened on the Dufferin Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Community Advisory Committee.

On July 14, 2021, Trisha Linton, chair of the Dufferin Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Community Advisory Committee, informed participants that two members, including the former co-chair, had resigned. The announcement of the resignations follows the county staff’s recommendation to adjust the committee’s mandate and work with a third party. A discussion on the committee mandate occurred during the July 14 committee meeting, where one county councillor reminded members of the original charge and of its importance. Committee members communicated that another priority should be community-based advocacy, as laid out in the staff document submitted to council. Chief Administrative Officer Sonya Pritchard will amend the terms of reference based on the dialogue and bring it back to the committee and council for approval.

Dufferin News reached out to former co-chair Phil Dewar and member Jim Waddington to ask if they’d like to share a statement regarding their resignations from the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Community Advisory Committee. Dewar did not respond to our request for comment. Waddington shared the following.

“I wish the Dufferin County Council sub committee, DEI – Diversity, Equality and Inclusivity, all the best in their ongoing team effort to create a more harmonized society.”

Waddington added that Celebrate Your Pride and Diversity Day in Dufferin has partnered with Theatre Orangeville to produce a virtual show that will be aired on social media, Saturday, August 7, 2021. Follow Celebrate Your Awesome on Facebook and Instagram for more details.

Dufferin County is currently seeking three community members to fill out the public member portion of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Community Advisory Committee. The minimum number of public members required is eight, with the maximum being ten. The current number of public members is seven. The committee decided to expand its search to three new members rather than replacing the two that resigned to help ensure that the process needn’t be repeated if more resignations occur in the immediate future.

CAO Pritchard mentioned that instead of doing a call out for new members, staff could go through the applications of those who had already applied to the committee.

“I think that going back to the old applications would kind of go against the whole equity factor of what our committee stands for,” replied committee member Christie Lazo. “I’m aware of people in the community that know I’m on the committee and have said, ‘Oh my gosh, I didn’t know that I could apply to this. I wish I knew about it.'”

Those interested in being on the Dufferin Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Community Advisory Committee should submit a letter of interest outlining what they see as a significant challenge concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion in Dufferin, in addition to what one hopes the committee will accomplish, and how they meet the below specifications:

familiarity with overall community issues
having demonstrated knowledge around diversity, equity, and inclusion
ability to build meaningful relationships and connections within the community

Committee members are also required to be a Dufferin resident, business owner, or stakeholder who has an understanding of the impacts of racism and systemic discrimination on marginalized people.

Applicants should forward their letters of interest to info@dufferincounty.ca or put them in the drop box at 30 Centre St, Orangeville, by August 31, 2021.

Committee members are currently unpaid, although a review around honorariums being distributed is expected to occur during 2022 budget discussions.

The Dufferin Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Community Advisory Committee decided to ‘have for reset’ in August, and return to meet in September.

“Just take some time and rethink what we’re doing in moving forward and then come back in September and have a full understanding of where we need to be as a committee,” affirmed Linton.

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Two Members Resign From Dufferin Diversity Committee

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