HomeMy WebLinkAboutHRC minutes 101215M E M
B E R S P R E S E N T
STAFF
Vanessa Soleil
Christine Kelly- Kleese
James Davis
Rollin Russell
Scott Goldsmith
Pamela Reynolds
Andy Cagle
Natalie Turner
Gerald Ponder
Robin Criffield
Susie Enoch
G U E S T S
Angela Rockett
Desaray Rockett
Excused Absence: Monica Richard, Matthew Hughes, Alan Jefferies and Jamie Paulen
Unexcused Absence: Joyce Preslar and Marc Xavier
L Call To Order
Chair Gerald Ponder called the meeting to order at 6:07p.m.
II. Introductions
Members introduced themselves to guests Angela Rockett and Desaray Rockett. Desaray is a
Senior at Cedar Ridge High School, and is a 2012 essay contest runner -up and 2012 youth Pauli
Murray Award honoree. She will serve the HRC as a Youth Ambassador. Angela is Desaray's
mother.
III. Minutes Approval
Upon review of the Minutes, it was recommended that they be amended to properly reflect the
recommendation of new members and member Natalie Turner's intent to serve as Secretary.
Rollin Russell made a motion to accept the minutes as amended. Christine Kelly- Kleese
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
IV. County Updates
James Davis provided an update on the status of the plaque to display all Pauli Murray Award
honorees. He will be working with Asset Management to finalize the style. The Human
Relations Commission budget will not be affected by the purchase of the plaque.
James also provided updates on the recent legislative bill that was designed to pre -empt local fair
housing laws. The bill did not pass. The County's Accessibility Committee is scheduled to
conduct its first ADA assessment in October. The Whitted building will be the pilot assessment
venue.
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The final draft of the Analysis of Impediments is scheduled to be adopted by the Board of
County Commissioners on October 20, 2015. James provided an update on the My Brothers
Keeper initiative and the County's effort to acknowledge Disability Employment Awareness
Month. The County invested in posters to be displayed in all departments.
James reminded the members that the annual HRC report is due on December 18, 2015. James
will draft the report for the members to view and edit as necessary.
V. Subcommittee Updates
Executive Committee:
Chair Gerald Ponder requested the members to consider being available to attend meetings or sit
on certain committees within the County on behalf of the HRC. Andy Cagle and Scott
Goldsmith stated that they might be available during the daytime to represent the HRC. James
will send an email to the members to solicit additional volunteers. Gerald stated that one of the
committees within the County that may benefit from having HRC representation is the
Community Dinner committee. Gerald is currently interfacing with the Disability Awareness
Council.
With regard to social media, Secretary Natalie Turner inquired about the County's IT
Department issuing an URL and registration password for the blog. Issues to consider include
creating a Twitter and /or Instagram account to attract the younger generation. Desaray stated
that these mediums are most likely to attract youth.
With regard to recruitment of Latin /Hispanic members, it was recommended that the HRC
interact with a Latino organization.
Building Integrated Communities (BIC):
No Report. A question was raised regarding whether the committee is a "committee."
Diversity Matters:
Rollin Russell presented an update on the Community Read. The date and venue have been
confirmed: Monday, March 21, 2016, 6:30 p.m. — 8:00 p.m. at the Chapel Hill Library. Rollin
also updated the members on the proposed panelists for the Human Relations Month Forum.
With regard to a Disability Awareness Campaign, Christine Kelly- Kleese suggested that the
"Save the Spot" idea be presented to a news station as a possible topic for the annual PSA award.
Community Relations:
The members discussed how to clarify the criterion for the youth Pauli Murray Award winner.
Specifically, the issue was whether the youth category should specify the age, whereas the adult
category does not specify an age. James will clarify the age category on the nomination
announcement to clearly state that adult winners must be 18 years or older.
The members also discussed the prompts for the Essay Contest to determine whether the prompts
should specify "disability." It was concluded that the prompts as drafted were sufficient
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The members discussed the HRC's efforts to do outreach. Rollin recommended that the HRC
seek an opportunity to have a presence in the schools. Vanessa Soleil suggested that the HRC do
actions that exhibit the ideals of Dr. Pauli Murray, instead of simply commemorating her through
the award. She further recommended that the HRC engage in more outreach that would result in
listening to the community's issues and reporting them back to the BOCC.
With regard to Christine's inquiry on how to get more people interested in the HRC, Scott
suggested that the HRC attend and support other activities which would make the HRC more
visible. Robin Criffield stated that the work of the HRC appears to be about hosting events and
making proclamations. She inquired about the BOCC's directive for the HRC.
James suggested that the November meeting agenda include an opportunity to further discuss the
role(s) of the HRC.
Collateral Consequences:
Robin suggested that the name of the subcommittee be changed to Community and Criminal
Justice, where collateral consequences would be a subset of the subcommittee. Possible issues to
address include anti -bias policing, role of School Resource Officers and implicit bias. There was
no vote on this suggestion.
VI. Other Business /Announcements
None
VII. Adiourn
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
James E. Davis, Jr.,
Civil Rights Specialist
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