HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 Vision Subcommittee on Demographic Change Charge - Feb 2012
Charter for Subcommittee on Demographic Change
Background.
The report of the Demographic Change Task Force (DCTF), issued in March of 2010,
contained two sets of recommendations. One was aimed at developing a deeper understanding of the
growth of population of Asian origin and increasing its participation in Town boards and committees; the
other was concerned with trends in the Town’s older population.
Since the report was issued, the 2020 Vision Committee has met with representatives of the Chinese
American Association of Lexington and Indian Americans of Lexington and Town Department Managers
have been asked to consider how to respond to the data and recommendations presented in the report. But
no other steps have been taken in response to the recommendations.
The 2020 Vision Committee now wishes to set up a subcommittee to address the recommendations of the
DCTF with respect to the Asian-American population in Lexington. Its charge, timeline and membership
are presented below.
Charge.
The subcommittee will:
1. Assess the steps taken by Town Departments to ensure that services, including emergency
services, are effectively delivered to Town residents who do not speak English or speak it poorly.
2. Investigate the factors that attract Asian-Americans to Lexington; estimate the proportion of
Asian Americans who move to Lexington with the intention of living here indefinitely and those
who are temporary residents.
3. Identify any barriers that currently limit the participation of Town’s Asian-American population
in its government, boards, associations, and committees; propose and facilitate steps to making
them welcome on these bodies and comfortable in participating on them.
4. Develop ideas regarding activities or events that will increase the community’s inclusion of
Asian-Americans residing here.
5. Assess steps taken by Massachusetts communities that have experienced significant demographic
changes in recent years. Determine what worked and what did not, and what could be applied in
Lexington.
Timeline.
The work of the subcommittee is to be completed by December 31, 2013. Interim reports
are to be presented to the 2020 Vision Committee at two-month intervals.
Subcommittee membership (total membership to be nine)
3, including the chair, from the 2020 Vision Committee
2-4 from the Asian-American community
2-3 from PTAs
Adopted by vote of the Lexington 2020 Vision Committee on February 10, 2012