Salem Seeks Community Members for Salem 400 PLUS Task Force

As the City of Salem approaches 2026, the city is seeking applicants to serve on a new Salem 400 PLUS Task Force dedicated to both expanding our understanding of Salem's complete historical narrative and ensuring our future reflects and celebrates the full diversity of our community. This initiative looks beyond traditional timeframes to connect Salem's extended history - including pre-colonial Indigenous presence - with our vision for a more inclusive and equitable future. The Task Force will focus on amplifying diverse voices, documenting untold stories, and developing recommendations for making Salem a more welcoming city for all residents. The intention for this Task Force is for it to continue through 2026, with an option of continuing beyond.

The Task Force will be comprised of thirteen members, ten of whom will be appointed by the Mayor. These ten appointees will include:

• Members representing Salem's immigrant communities
• Youth representatives (ages 16-24)
• Representatives from Salem's LGBTQ+ community
• Members representing Salem's disability community
• Members who represent the creative community

The Task Force will also include designated representatives from:

• Salem's Race Equity Commission
• The City of Salem
• The Massachusett Tribe

Core Responsibilities:

• Establish guidelines for inclusive historical interpretation

• Assess current barriers to full participation in civic life
• Design initiatives promoting cross-cultural understanding
• Link Salem's diverse past to its multicultural future
• Draft an action plan for the future of Salem

Those interested in being considered for appointment to the Salem 400 PLUS Task Force should submit a resume and cover letter to [email protected] no later than noon on Friday, December 6, 2024. Your cover letter should address:

• Your connection to Salem's diverse communities (past or present)
• Experience in community organizing, advocacy, or historical research
• Vision for connecting Salem's complete history to its future
• Ideas for engaging underrepresented populations
• Commitment to collaborative problem-solving and cross-cultural dialogue

The Task Force seeks members who reflect Salem's diversity across age, ability, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, religion, and socioeconomic status.

This Task Force will prioritize creating lasting frameworks that ensure Salem's future growth and development authentically represents and serves all members of our community while honoring our complete historical narrative.

Those interested in being considered for appointment to the Salem 400 PLUS Task Force should submit a resume and cover letter to [email protected] no later than noon on Friday, December 6, 2024. In your cover letter, please detail your experience, connection to Salem, and vision for helping share Salem's story during this historic moment. Include any relevant experience. This is a volunteer opportunity.

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