HomeMy WebLinkAboutHRC minutes 020816M E M
B E R S P R E S E N T
STAFF
Vanessa Soleil
Monica Richard
James Davis
Robin Criffield
Rollin Russell
Pamela Reynolds
Matthew Hughes
Gerald Ponder
Scott Goldsmith
G U E S T S
Excused Absence: Christine Kelly - Kleese, Andy Cagle, Susie Enoch, Alan Jefferies, Natalie Turner, Jamie Paulen,
Marc Xavier, and Colin O'Banion
Unexcused Absence: Joyce Preslar
L Call To Order
Chair Gerald Ponder called the meeting to order at 6:08p.m.
II. Introductions
There were no members or new guests. No introductions were conducted.
III. Minutes Approval
There being no quorum, Minutes were not approved.
IV. County Updates
James provided a status update on the Pauli Murray Award plaque to be erected at the Whitted
Building. James provided information about the Fair Housing Reconsideration Review Panel.
As of today, the Complainant has not formally requested a Reconsideration review. James
explained that the Complainant desires to first have a copy of her case file. The members
interested in being on the review panel asked about the duration of the training. James stated that
he will discover how long the training would be, and advised that a Doodle Poll be used to
discover the best possible dates for the training and share these dates with the trainer. James
reminded the members that the BOCC Work Session for all Advisory Boards is on Tuesday,
February 9, 2016 at Southern Human Services. HRC members were encouraged to attend.
V. Subcommittee Updates
Executive Committee:
Page 1 of 2
The Executive Committee will host the annual HRC Planning Retreat on Saturday, March 5,
2016 from 9 a.m. — 3 p.m. at the Ponder's House. It was announced that member Natalie Turner
resigned effective today. Gerald stated that the HRC must develop a recruitment plan. It was
discussed that the demographics of the applicants reflect the demographics of the County. It was
concluded that the poor diversity of applicants could be a result of a shortfall of total applicants.
Matt recommended that the HRC contact the local branches of the NAACP. Scott recommended
that the HRC communicate with churches that have a minority congregation. Rollin asked
whether there is a certain recruiting method. Gerald will represent the HRC at the upcoming
BOCC Work Session and present the HRC's desire to diversify its membership. Monica
suggested that the HRC request additional time to recruit minority community members to apply
for the board's vacancies.
Diversity Matters:
It was discussed how the HRC could collect contact information via a sign -in sheet at future
Forums and events. The option of using MailChimp was presented. The option of using Meet -
up pages to promote the events was also presented.
Rollin reminded the members about the upcoming Community Read and encouraged everyone to
attend. The members discussed the need to begin fishing for topics for the 2017 Human
Relations Forum. One suggested topic is "Police Relations."
Community Relations:
Gerald reminded the members about the upcoming Pauli Murray Awards ceremony.
Community Justice:
Vanessa Soleil, Robin Criffield and Monica Richard presented information about the Community
Justice Subcommittee. Monica stated that she is following up on the issue of the school -to-
prison pipeline and has been in community with member Matt Hughes regarding his project on
this topic. Vanessa stated that the subcommittee is still determining actionable items. She said
that the subcommittee met with Cate at the Sheriff's Dept. Robin informed the members that
they are working with a re -entry taskforce. There is a Divergence Program hosted by the Chapel
Hill Police Department on February 18, 2016 at 3 p.m. The program is geared towards 16 and
17 year old children. Gerald asked the subcommittee to invite Cate from the Sheriffs Dept. to
consider making a presentation to the HRC at an upcoming meeting.
VL Other Business /Announcements
James announced the following upcoming events:
• Community Dinner, Sunday, April 10, 2016
• HK on J: Saturday, February 13, 2016
VII. Adiourn
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:23 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
James E. Davis, Jr., Civil Rights Specialist
Page 2 of 2