• Even months: 2nd Thursdays at 1:00
• Odd months: 2nd Wednesdays at Noon

Contact KCLx to join our email distribution list and get the calendar invite.

General Members

All King County employees who identify as being of Latin American origin or descent and are interested in the mission and goals of the group are welcome! We also invite allies and all employees who will work to advance equity in our workplace and community.

Membership is voluntary. General Members can use up to three (3) work hours a month to participate in KCLx meetings and activities. Time spent in KCLx meetings and activities is not eligible for overtime.

Please refer to the King County Employee Resource Group (ERG) / Affinity Group Policy: ACO-5-1-EP for more details.

Leadership Team

Role Expectations: Leadership Team members shall attend monthly Leadership Team meetings as well as General Membership meetings with an expected time commitment of an average of six (6) work hours per month.

Terms of Office: KCLx leadership will be determined by members via a voting process and will serve an 18-month term of which includes a 6-month transition period to help the next leadership team maintain continuity and momentum.

• Co-Chairs (2)
• External Community Engagement Chair
• Events Co-Chairs (2)

Leadership Role Expectations 

Leadership Team members shall attend a monthly Leadership Team Meeting and General Membership Meetings with an expected time commitment of six (6) work hours per month. 

Terms of Office

Members will determine KCLx leadership via a voting process. It will serve an 18-month term, including a 6-month transition period to help the next leadership team maintain continuity and momentum. Incumbents are eligible to be nominated/hold two consecutive terms in the same position and must wait one additional term before holding the position again. 

Structure & Operations

Note: Some of the roles are not in use for the 2023 Leadership Committee. And the responsibilities were condensed.

1. Leadership Roles

i. Co-Chairs (2 positions)

• Provides overall leadership to the group; ensuring the mission, values, and goals of KCLx are fomented by the KCLx Leadership Team and Affinity Group as a whole
• Convene the KCLx Leadership Team regularly to share updates, plan, and implement content and activities supporting KCLx goals
• Support Leadership Team members in accomplishing goals and performing their responsibilities
• Schedules regular KCLx meetings and creates the meeting agenda; works with the Leadership Team or organizes logistics
• Serves as or designates the KCLx representative to Partnering Team meetings (all Affinity Groups) or other engagements with the Office of Equity and Social Justice (OESJ)
• Fosters relationships with other networks and Affinity Groups
• A representative for the Affinity Group in additional meetings and events as necessary

ii. External Community Engagement Chair

• Develops and maintains relationships with external Latinx organizations
• Identifies volunteer, partnership, and networking opportunities with organizations interested in supporting Latinx communities
• Assists Co-Chairs with relationship-building with other Affinity Groups

iii. Events Chair (2 positions)

• Organize network events and social activities based on interest and availability
• Coordinates Latinx/Hispanic Heritage month events
• Lead with Communications Chair on marketing for events

2. Previous Roles (responsibilities were redistributed to the active roles)

ii. Communications & Social Media Chair (not in use)

• Drafts and edits communications
• Responsible for internal and external marketing communications
• Responsible for social media and publicity

iii. Membership Chair (not in use)

• Welcomes and onboards new members
• Maintains the group email/distribution
• Identifies member recruitment/engagement opportunities

iv. Content Manager / Administrator (not in use)

• Records and disseminates meeting memory for any meetings
• Serves as network liaison with Marketing Communications (as needed)
• Manages surveys/polls
• Responsible for archiving KCLx history – events, achievements, etc.

vi. Finance Chair (not in use)

• Manages finances of the group
• Reports financial updates at meetings
• Provides annual budget for approval
• Oversees annual budget and activity report out

vii. Employee Retention and Advancement Chair (not in use)

• Organizes events and projects that foster the retention and advancement of Latinx employees at King County
• Support all-AG employee retention and advancement efforts
• Works with KCLx events chairs to coordinate activities

Name

The official name is: King County Latinx Affinity Group.*

Mission

The mission is to build equitable community for King County Latinx employees and the Latinx community at large.

Values

Our values define the way we act, what’s important to us, and our expectations for ourselves and one another.

• Teamwork
• Authenticity
• Collective Impact
• Equity & Social Justice
• Accountability &Transparency
• Empowerment
• Relationship-centric
• Strategic Impact
• Shared Leadership

Purpose

Consistent with the King County’s commitment to making King County a welcoming community were every person can thrive, King County’s Latinx Affinity Group (KCLx), works with leadership to inform policies and procedures that address racism and other forms of oppression.

KCLx builds relationships with colleagues who share common interests or backgrounds and provides opportunities for members to develop their leadership skills. KCLx is supported by the Office of Equity and Social Justice and advocates for the implementation of King County’s Equity and Social Justice Plan.

Goal 1: Develop opportunities for members to network, learn, build common ground, collaborate, share resources, grow professionally, and support one another

• Create a space for ethnic, racial, and gender minorities within the Latinx membership, in which we operate consciously of social justice, accountably to each other, and intentionally to create equitable spaces.
• Deepen understanding of systemic racism and issues affecting KC Latinx employees and the community at large.
• Operate as a collective and for the interest of the group.

Goal 2: Advance equity and social justice within King County government

• Inform policies and procedures that address racism and other forms of oppression
• Support, advocate, and serve as a resource for the implementation of King County Equity and Social Justice Plan.
• Support and advocate for recruitment and retention of Latinx employees.
• Further awareness and increase visibility of Latinx issues within King County
• Collaborate with other affinity groups

Goal 3: Advance equity and social justice across King County

• Increase the visibility of Latinx issues
• Support and advocate for King County social justice efforts engaging and impacting the Latinx community
• Enhance recognition and reputation of King County in Latinx communities

*New* 2023 Leadership Committee: 

Co-Chair: Margarita Aguado Administrative Specialist II, Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP)

Co-Chair: Maria Jimenez-Zepeda ORCA Reduced Fare Project Program Manager II, King County Metro Transit (Metro)

Events Co-Chair: Norma Renteria Lobo, Project/Program Manager III, Community and Human Services (DCHS)

Events Co-Chair: Yoli Gerasimov, Administrative Specialist III, Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD)

Outgoing Leadership Committee

Co-Chair: Antonio Herrera Garza Executive Program Assistant III, Office of Equity and Social Justice (OESJ)

Employee Retention and Advancement Chair: Rocio Martinez Lopez Special Projects Assistant, Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC)

External Community Engagement Chair: Maria Jimenez-Zepeda ORCA Reduced Fare Project Program Manager II, King County Metro Transit (Metro)

Events Co-Chair: Margarita Aguado Administrative Specialist II, Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP)

Events Co-Chair: Sabrina Torres Administrative Specialist II, Health Services at Public Health — Seattle & King County (PHSKC)

Content Manager/Administrator: Melissa Aguilar Regional Affordable Housing Specialist, Community & Human Services (DCHS)