The city of Federal Way’s Diversity Commission is comprised of nine members and one alternate, with its stated goal being to advise the City Council on “policy matters involving the community’s cultural and ethnic differences, ensuring that these differences are considered in the decision-making process.”
The commission meets on the second Wednesday of each odd-numbered month (January, March, May, July, September and November) at 5:30 p.m. in the Hylebos Conference Room at Federal Way’s City Hall (33325 8th Ave. S.).
To provide insight on the members of the Commission and what they want the Commission to accomplish, all 10 of the current members were sent Q&As. The six below responded.
Greg Baruso
Age: 57
How long have you lived in Federal Way? 16 years.
Occupation: Firefighter
Community involvement: City of Federal Way Diversity Commission (Chair), Annual MLK Celebration Event (including the citywide food drive), 30th District Democrats (Legislative Action Committee Chair), King County Officer’s Association Officer Development Academy (Chair), Washington State Citizens Committee on Pipeline Safety (Gov. Inslee appointee), State of Washington Joint Apprenticeship Committee for Firefighters.
Other background information you’d like to add? Married to my beautiful wife Shawn, with two children, Darian and Aliyah. Firefighter for over 30 years; assigned to training division for over 10 years; former Secretary for Port of Seattle Firefighter’s Local 1257; Executive Board Member for 23 years; Washington State International Firefighter’s Accreditation Committee (IFSAC) Test Control Officer, Senior Evaluator and Evaluator; ran for State House in 2014; involved in the city of Federal Way and the Federal Way school district.
How long have you been on the Diversity Commission? Over eight years.
Why did you decide to join? I was an inaugural member of the first Diversity and Development Committee for the Port of Seattle. After that ended, I decided to join the Diversity Commission — I felt it was time to get involved, to give back to the community and to improve life in our great city.
What does the word “diversity” mean to you? As the first columnist for the Mirror’s Diversity Section, I have defined that word extensively.
How has your time on the Diversity Commission benefited the community? We have helped the city define the Commission’s role within the city’s leadership and have helped bring awareness to the cultures and people of Federal Way. The future work plan the Diversity Commission has created will only help strengthen the understanding of diversity within Federal Way and will advocate for those in need. The betterment of Federal Way as a whole has been at the forefront of planning for this Commission.
What do you hope to accomplish with the Diversity Commission in the future? Identity, and again, strengthening the bonds of those who live and work in Federal Way.
How can the community become more involved with the Diversity Commission or issues related to diversity? Help us celebrate the differences and cultures that thrive within our city by supporting and participating in Diversity Commission events. Contact any member of the Commission with thoughts and ideas on how the Diversity Commission can help the community, no matter the issue. Also, become involved in city matters. What’s your passion?
Anything else you’d like to add? Embrace the differences that all citizens of Federal Way bring to our city. With all that is going on in the world, let’s join and bond together to make this city a great place to live. Let’s all work together to make this happen. We can’t fix things on our own — working together forms, produces and strengthens solutions.
Hiroshi Eto
As a retiree coming back to Federal Way, it was easy to give time for community service, first as a School Board Director in 2014 and then as a Diversity Commissioner in 2015. We first came to Federal Way in 1988, when it was still part of unincorporated King County. The Commons was the Sea-Tac Mall and was doing well. Then came the revolving anchors, from Frederick & Nelson’s, Lamonts, The Bon Marche, Mervyn’s, and later the Auburn Supermall came in with competition for local customers. Upon returning, it was good to see The Commons had made a comeback; the Sears, always there, as the steady anchor. A lesson from all of this is that without community support, nothing can survive, but with it, even what seems dead and gone can be revived. Federal Way is now a much more diverse community than it was in 1988, and a broadening desire for inclusion is vital for maintaining an enduring sense of community.
The city of Federal Way, through the Diversity Commission, has long sponsored the annual Martin Luther King gatherings to keep the drive for equality alive in our schools and community, as well as to organize food drives to benefit food banks. Ultimately, the community will determine what the city of Federal Way needs in the future to maintain its sense of community. Therefore, the input of community members is vital to put issues into view and ideas into play.
Events centered around food, music, arts, crafts, sports, martial arts, and honoring veterans and other community members can serve to build a sense of community only if the community is drawn to and gathers around them. Venues like the King County Aquatics Center, the Federal Way Community Center, The Commons, and our schools can succeed as places of gathering only if the community is drawn to and gathers within them. The Performing Arts Center will give Federal Way yet another wonderful venue to gather as a community.
The Diversity Commission serves to help leaders in the city of Federal Way understand the changing needs of the community, to bring forth ideas from community members, and to expand and strengthen our sense of community.
Chris E. Brown
Age: 59
How long have you lived in Federal Way? 53 years
Occupation: Construction safety supervisor
Community involvement: Current President of the Federal Way Senior Center; current Vice President of the Puget Sound Military Vehicle Collectors Club; current member and previous chairman of the Federal Way Diversity Commission
Other background information you’d like to add? 2003 Graduate of Advancing Leadership. God bless Shelter from the Storm (our class project at the MSC)
How long have you been on the Diversity Commission? I believe since 2008.
Why did you decide to join? I joined to help make a difference.
What does the word “diversity” mean to you? Too complex to explain here. I truly believe it is a living word that changes as we move into the future.
How has your time on the Diversity Commission benefited the community? The community benefits from the Diversity Commission book donation program and the annual MLK food drive and celebration, just to name a few.
What do you hope to accomplish with the Diversity Commission in the future? Hoping to promote and expand a dialogue between the ethnically diverse groups in our community, to learn more about our neighbors.
How can the community become more involved with the Diversity Commission or issues related to diversity? Come to a Diversity Commission meeting, attend local events, and get to know fellow community members.
Randall Smith
Age: I am 56.
How long have you lived in Federal Way? 50 years, since 1966.
Occupation: Transportation driver/trainer
Community involvement: Diversity Commission; Civil Service Commission; Community Member FWSD Education Instructional Committee; 30th District Democrats.
Other background information you’d like to add? I moved to Federal Way in June of 1966 and graduated from Thomas Jefferson in 1978. I have seen a community where it was taboo to rent or sell homes to African-Americans become a community that has warmly opened its door to persons who speak over 100 languages.
How long have you been on the Diversity Commission? Since January 2016. Re-appointed June 2016.
Why did you decide to join? I think community service is important. The best way we learn about our community is by investing ourselves and our time. I was looking for an opportunity to learn more about how our city’s policy is developed, our city’s culture and how each of our ethnic backgrounds contribute to our community’s personality.
What does the word “diversity” mean to you? Diversity has a broad meaning. To me, diversity is the culmination of not only our ethnic and cultural backgrounds, but it’s inclusive of our humanity, which includes marital status, education background, age, economic circumstance, the community in which we live, and even what our occupation may be.
How has your time on the Diversity Commission benefited the community? The Diversity Commission is not a place where, individually, we make a difference in the community. We work together in a team effort.
What do you hope to accomplish with the Diversity Commission in the future? The Commission just sent our new work plan to the City Council. We will be making our Commission more present in the community in the future.
Trenise Rogers
Age: 40
How long have you lived in Federal Way? Since 1997.
Community involvement: Parents of African-American Students Association (President); Federal Way Titans (Cheer Director); PTA; serving the homeless.
Other background information you’d like to add? Married to my best friend; mother of five extraordinary children.
How long have you been on the Diversity Commission? I have been on the Diversity Commission since January 2016.
Why did you join? Being a member of the Diversity Commission gives me a unique opportunity to serve my community through my love of culture and people.
What does the word “diversity” mean to you? The word “diversity” means the beauty of difference.
What do you hope to accomplish with the Diversity Commission in the future? While serving on the Diversity Commission, I hope to contribute a unique insight and perspective that will foster a spirit of inclusion.
How can the community become more involved with the Diversity Commission or issues related to diversity? The Diversity Commission meetings are open to the public. I encourage the residents of Federal Way to embrace the opportunity to share ideas and comments about diversity.
Jessicka Rambus
Age: No answer
How long have you lived in Federal Way? 10 years
Occupation: Consultant, Accounting and Business Administration
Community involvement: Regency Ridge HOA, Treasurer, City of Federal Way, Diversity Commissioner, Church – Grace & Truth Apostolic Ministries, Kent, WA
How long have you been on the Diversity Commission? Since 2011 (five years)
Why did you decide to join? I decided to join the Diversity Commission because a workshop at the University of Washington advised me that volunteering would heighten my professional and personal life. Before, I never explored the volunteer platform and its many benefits of enhancing communication skills, community and professional relationships, and utilization of idle job skills.
Needless to say, I sought out opportunities close to home and of interest to me. As a diverse individual, the Diversity Commissioner appointment stood out. I was convinced that joining the Commission would offer the direct diverse experience and perspective that the Commission was looking for. I felt that I could make a difference in the community and satisfy my passion to help others; plus, contribute to consulting business when and where needed.
What does does the word “diversity” mean to you? As a diverse individual/person of color, I have always related the word diversity to minority. In essence, diversity means a different outlook, perspective and way of living because I am certain that my life experiences, circumstances and challenges have been different than that of a majority experience. For example, feeling the need to constantly disprove typical stereotypes of people of color.
How has your time on the Diversity Commission benefited the community? I feel that my time on the Diversity Commission has benefited the community by helping to make key decisions that heighten the awareness of the Commission in the community. For example, part of our work plan is to create recurring specific platforms for diversity events, social network gatherings and diversity leadership forums. Further, I feel that my time on the Commission has benefited the community by participating and volunteering in our Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Food Drive, School Book Drive and other Commission efforts that help ensure diversity awareness in the Federal Way community.
What do you hope to accomplish with the Diversity Commission in the future? I hope to sustain and keep developing diversity opportunity platforms in the community so that each individual feels respected, equally valued, equally needed and equally cherished.
How can the community become more involved with the Diversity Commission or issues related to diversity? The community can become more involved by bringing their voice to our bi-monthly meetings, annual events and participating in surveys that we circulate in an effort to improve our goals and actions.
