Keizer’s Community Diversity and Engagement Committee discussed July 3 whether to adopt guidelines for proclamation presenters to ensure proclamations stay educational and nonpolitical.

Member Barney said the committee should do “due diligence” before issuing proclamations, suggesting the committee be “privy to what they're going to say and hold them to it” so proclamations don’t become political platforms. Several members agreed that reviewing the identity of a proclamation presenter in advance is practical; they proposed a requirement that presenters provide names and basic bullet points in advance so staff and committee members can identify potential “red flags.”

Counselor Star (city councilor) emphasized distinguishing public comment from proclamations: public comment is the appropriate place for opinion and personal testimony, while proclamations should educate the community about an issue. Star said that listening to community concerns should inform committee outreach, but that proclamations themselves should have an educational focus.

Committee members acknowledged limits to advance review: several said some presenters do not prepare a written script in advance, so the committee discussed asking for bullet points or a brief outline rather than requiring full text a month ahead. The committee agreed short-term work should include drafting a simple one-page guideline for proclamation presenters covering expectations (what the proclamation is intended to do), time limits, and whether presenters should submit suggested topics or bullet points prior to the event.

Ending: The committee tasked staff to research any existing city-level guidance and to draft a one-page document of suggested proclamation practices for the committee to review in three months.