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Human Rights Commission
Red Maple Room
February 23, 2011
MINUTES
Members Present:
Jeff Billington, Vice Chair
Theo Anderson
Maria Carvalho
David Smith
Members Absent:
Debbie Dwyer, Chair
Daron Bolat
Natalia Fominykh
Joy Murorunkwere
Josh Richards
Staff Present:
Janet Kelly, Human Rights Commission Liaison
Visitors Present:
HRC Candidate, Maria Carvalho
I. Convene
Vice Chair, Jeff Billington convened the meeting at 7:45 p.m.
II. Approval of Minutes:
There was no quorum and there due to the weather, there was no January meeting, so meeting minutes for December meeting and February meeting will be deferred to March.
III. Chair Report:
A) MLK Discussion and Debrief
The Commission looked over the evals for the event and then discussed how there might be various subcommittees for each aspect of the event. This will be discussed in future meetings.
B) Retirement Meeting Discussion
Commissioner Bolat attended the Retirement Board meeting where the possibility of the City divesting their investments in the Sudan area was discussed. The discussion looked as if there was going to be a decision that would need to be made by the Mayor and Council relative to a future policy that would broaden the scope of the Retirement Boards influence on commingled funding. It was discussed that perhaps there should be a representative or representatives of the Commission present at the meeting to further impress upon the Mayor and Council to consider ruling for divestment or a policy around proactively looking at investments connected to Sudan.
IV. Staff Report:
A) Diversity Leadership Update and Continuation
Staff told the Commission about the Unity in Diversity Group wanting to continue their efforts to teach about stereotypes and the dangers of making assumptions. They plan to use their video that they made for the MLK Program as a possible teaching tool for assemblies and other educational venues. The group will be meeting in the next month to decide the next plan of action.
B) Golden Years Event
Due to the enjoyment that the seniors seemed to have at the Golden Years Event, the Commission is looking to do the event again. Plans will need to start soon for a program in May (if that is when it will occur). Given that this was a collaborative effort with the Senior Center staff, they will also be contacted for their input. An initial contact by liaison revealed that the person that would have naturally been able to work on the event would not be able to focus on the program for about 6 weeks. There was also the construction that was taking place in the Senior Center. Staff will check to see when the construction might be complete and if there would be anyone that could start the planning process from the Senior Center and then pass it to the person that would naturally run the process.
C) Hometown Holidays
Staff discussed the Hometown Holidays event with the Commissioners. For those that were unaware, she let them know what the HRC has done in the past. Staff will be seeking time slots that the Commissioners can provide coverage at their tables. The Commission mentioned that they would like to collaborate efforts with the APA Task Force this year.
V. Open Forum
VI. Old Business
VII. New Business
A) Upcoming Forum
The upcoming HRC forum will be about the topic of religion. We will be discussing details at the next meeting where the fuller Commission can vote.
B) New Applicants
There were no new applicants at the meeting.
C) New Chair and Vice Chair Nomination
Staff told the Commission about the nomination process and to think about whom they wished to nominate for the next meeting. The Commission was told that Chairs and Vice Chairs could serve more than one term and that anyone that would like to self nominate, could.
D) Adoption Picnic
Commissioner Smith spoke to the omission about a picnic that he is planning for a group he belongs to that consists of parents who have adopted primarily Asian children. He hoped to make the picnic a collaborative event that will allow the parents and children to have a social event where they can meet families that are similar and perhaps educate others that may attend the picnic about the program. Staff will look at various venues where the group might have the picnic and if there is a group that might wish to collaborate for this effort.
VIII. Adjournment:
Meeting ended at 9:30 p.m. The next meeting will be March 23 at City Hall. The meeting will start at 7:30 p.m.