Equal Rights Commission sets 2026 priorities, forms work groups and schedules next quarterly meeting

At its Feb. 12 meeting the Green Bay Equal Rights Commission agreed on a set of priority areas for 2026 and formed work groups to advance those topics between quarterly meetings.

Chair Terry Yang summarized a recommendation from the mayor to balance heavier policy work with community-facing outreach: "...maybe do more lighthearted things, join community activities, and celebrate the work that we've done," Yang said. Commissioners discussed organizing smaller work groups focused on distinct topics to enable more frequent progress and then reporting back to the full commission quarterly.

Commissioners proposed and accepted these priority areas: jobs and wages; health and recreation; housing; voting and public participation; and community relations. Commissioners volunteered for each group; staff agreed to compile rosters and collect work-group minutes to include in the commission's annual report to the mayor and council.

On scheduling, the commission agreed to a quarterly cadence and set the next regular meeting for Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., with the option to call additional meetings if work groups require interim updates.

Commissioners also discussed the limits of commission authority when it comes to election-related activity and were advised by city staff and the city attorney to avoid any actions that would contravene election laws; staff offered to provide resources and trainings as the working groups plan outreach.

Next steps: work groups to meet as needed, record meeting minutes for staff, and submit quarterly summaries for inclusion in the commission's annual report.