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 Human Rights Commission

 Red Maple Room
February 25, 2009

 MINUTES

Members Present: 
Yvonna Love, Chair
David Keyman, Vice Chair
Jeff Billington
Debbie Dwyer
Val Liu
Joy Murorunkwere
Maritza Rivera-Cohen
Paul Tetlow
    
Members Absent:     Derrick Middleton                                      

I.    Convene

The meeting convened at 7:40 p.m.

II.    Approval of Minutes

The Commission members approved the minutes from December.
                          
III.    Chair Report:

A)    Debrief MLK
Chair Yvonna Love and the Commission looked over the evaluations from the MLK, Jr. Celebration. The comments that were on the evaluations were very complimentary. The audience liked all aspects of the program. The Commission was happy that the event went smoothly and was shorter. Things to make sure to include
 
B)    Essay Contest (Chair and Staff)
After discussion regarding the essay questions and the suggested edits, the Commission voted to keep the questions in the format that they originally developed.
Chair would inform Ms. Kimball of the decision.

C)    Chair Position
There was discussion regarding the upcoming selection of the chair position. The current chair would be stepping aside to give others a chance to run. The Commission members were asked to think about the position. Commissioner Vassilas suggested that if Commissioners were thinking of leaving the Commission, they should state their decision so that in the course of looking for a chair, the recruitment process could take place.
Staff would make sure to have the people that were looking to be on the Commission at upcoming meetings so that they could get an idea of how an HRC meeting was run and the types of programs that the HRC does.

IV.   Staff Report:

A)    Leadership Training:
Staff brought up the topic of Leadership training for teens. This was a topic that the Commission brought up because they were concerned about the conflicts that were going on within the schools among high school students over race. Staff let the Commission know about the previous training that was provided and that the trainer was still interested in providing the training, but there was a matter of hoe to fund the program that would still be an issue. Additionally, in the past, the Commission played an important role in the session. This would mean that they would have to be trained or given some background on how they could assist in the overall process. Staff suggested that the trainer attend an upcoming meeting. The Commission agreed and suggested that the trainer that we had years ago, attend the April meeting to give them an overview of the leadership workshop and the training for trainers.

B)    Hometown Holidays:
The Commission will share several booths with the Asian Pacific American Task Force. The group was particularly interested with having character writing in different languages. They were also interested in providing as decoration, flags that represent the demographics of Rockville. A map will be displayed so that people can place pins on their family’s original place of origin.  There will be Commissioners and/or volunteers dressed in traditional dress according to family of origin. Finally, there will be a wheel (similar to Wheel of Fortune) that will have several categories from which to choose. The categories may include HRC topics, historical trivia, MLK questions and diversity questions. The Commission will work with the APA Task Force for questions that can be asked on the wheel. Commissioners Billington, Rivera-Cohen and Liu will work on developing the categories. Commissioner Liu also offered to help the APA Task Force with their activities pertaining to the Asian population.                                            

V.     Open Forum   

A.   Commissioner Dwyer suggested that we start to invite the youths from the schools. Dr. McLeod from Richard Montgomery identified student groups that would be interested in attending an HRC meeting. It was suggested that one or two groups be invited to the meetings starting with the April meeting. At that meeting, there could a discussion/introduction to the concept of the leadership workshop and get some of the student buy in to the concept. chair suggested that participation in the meetings and in the workshop could be an opportunity for the participants to gain student service learning credits.
         
B.     Banning of Smoking at Montgomery College
They topic of the ban of smoking came up at the meeting.  There was some discussion regarding the HRC involvement or the need for mediation. Staff said that there was some possibility that there would be outside mediation sought.  

C.    Recruitment of HRC New Members
It was suggested that now that there will be two upcoming vacancies, there should be a request for interested persons to attend a meeting he
 
D.    Equality Maryland
 
E.    Information about Charles Gilchrist
Commissioner Rivera-Cohen gave information regarding new events at the Gilchrist center. The information might be of some benefit to the Rockville citizens.

VI.   Old Business
     
VII.     New Business  

Senior Recognition Program
Commissioner Vassilas talked about doing a program that would award the contributions to the senior population and also be an this program would help the seniors find help regarding their rights.                                                    
    
VIII.  Adjournment