August 25, 2021 IRC Executive Committee meeting

Chair Kennelly called the meeting to order at 5:25 p.m.

Present: Chair Kennelly, Vice Chair Paz, Commissioners Khojasteh, Rahimi and Souza.

OCEIA staff present: Director Pon, Commission Clerk Shore, Operation and Grants Administrator Chan, Deputy Director Whipple.

Chair Kennelly read the land acknowledgment statement.

There was no public comment.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Approval of July 28, 2021 Executive Committee Meeting Minutes

Commissioner Rahimi motioned to approve the July 28, 2021 Executive Committee meeting minutes. Vice Chair Paz seconded the motion. The motion was approved.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Anti-AAPI Hate Special Hearing Follow-Up Actions

Chair Kennelly suggested adding a reference in the letter to the Commission’s forthcoming recommendations on language access. Commissioner Khojasteh motioned to authorize OCEIA staff to add the reference. Commissioner Rahimi seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously. OCEIA staff will edit the letter and share it with the Executive Committee before sending it to City departments.



Director Pon discussed the We Are More art campaign to promote understanding and highlight the positive contributions of immigrant communities. OCEIA does not currently have the budget to fund the full campaign. Commissioner Souza suggested partnering with the Small Business Department.



b. Language Access Special Hearings Follow-Up Actions

Chair Kennelly thanked Commissioner Monge for his leadership and appointed Commissioner Souza as chair of the Language Access Committee. Commissioner Souza asked Director Pon for information about what the Commission and OCEIA have accomplished to date. Director Pon will meet with Commissioner Souza to provide her with an overview.



Director Pon asked Commissioners to help share the language access community survey with community members. The survey deadline has been extended to mid-September. OCEIA staff provided an overview of survey responses by language and Commissioners discussed outreach. OCEIA staff will resend Commissioners the links to the survey in multiple languages and Commissioners will share with their networks.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Director’s Updates

OCEIA will host an appointment-based citizenship workshop at City College’s Ocean campus on August 28, 2021. Director Pon discussed OCEIA’s Community Ambassadors Program and other ambassador programs that are launching in San Francisco.



b. Reappointment of Commissioners

Director Pon reminded Commissioners to submit their paperwork for reappointment and noted that the Commission now has one vacant seat. She invited Commissioners to join her on the Office of the City Administrator’s (ADM) Racial Equity Committee, which is currently working on implementation of the racial equity plan. She also suggested that the Executive Committee begin planning the Commission’s annual retreat.

Chair Kennelly asked about follow-up actions from the DACA presentation during the August 9, 2021 Full Commission meeting. Commission Clerk Shore provided an update on the DACA decision, upcoming rule, and budget reconciliation. Director Pon stated that OCEIA has shared a sign-on letter with the Mayor’s Office in support of a pathway to citizenship through budget reconciliation. Vice Chair Paz suggested a regional mayoral press conference or statement. Chair Kennelly and Vice Chair Paz will follow up with the Mayor’s Office.

Director Pon invited Commissioners to join Mayor Breed and City Administrator Carmen Chu for the W Challenge at City Hall on August 26, 2021, Women’s Equality Day.

Chair Kennelly adjourned the meeting at 7:11 p.m.