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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHRC minutes 082514M E M B E R S P R E S E N T STAFF Joyce Preslar Andrea Jones Christine Kelly- Kleese James Davis Vanessa Soleil Jamie Paulen Marc Xavier Pamela Reynolds Natalie Turner Gerald Ponder Doris Brunson Rollin Russell G U E S T S Alan Jeffries Absent: Joe Polich, Cynthia Stubbs, Matthew Hughes, Monica Richard and Dominika Baran L Call To Order Chair Doris Brunson called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. II. Introductions The members and staff introduced themselves and welcomed Vanessa Soleil aboard. Guest and candidate to the board, Alan Jeffries, introduced himself. III. Minutes Approval Rollin made a motion to approve the June 2014 minutes. The motion was seconded by Jamie and carried unanimously. IV. County Updates James informed the body that board appointments and renewals are scheduled to be done at the October 7, 2014 BOCC meeting. Members with expired terms may continue to serve in their capacity as a voting member. James reminded the body that he will be interviewed on WCHL on Tuesday, August 261' to discuss National Women's Equality Day and unveil the selected text for the next Community Read. The members reviewed the applications for Jilan Li, Alan Jeffries and Antonia Pedroza. Gerald made a motion to recommend the appointment of each applicant upon the approval of their respective Towns. Vanessa seconded the motion which carried unanimously. The members discussed the absence of Joe Polich. Rollin made a motion to recommend to the BOCC that Mr. Polich be removed from the board based on his attendance. Jamie seconded the motion which carried unanimously. V. Subcommittee Updates Executive Committee: Page 1 of 3 Doris and Gerald presided over their first meeting as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively. Building Integrated Communities (BIC): The members recommended that a representative from the Refugee Community Partnership make a short presentation about their organization at an upcoming meeting. James announced that there is a free Building Integrated Communities workshop on September 17, 2014. Doris will attend. The subcommittee will revisit the possibility of hosting a forum where the Chapel Hill Police Department will present information to the Karen community about safety and the police. Diversity Matters: Rollin recommended that a letter be sent to all local book clubs requesting them to read Global Woman ... for the forthcoming Community Read. The local libraries and bookstores will also be requested to stock this book. The date of the Community Read event will be announced after the moderator is confirmed. The committee wants to host the event in March which is Women's History Month. The committee is also piecing together an agenda for the Human Relations Month Forum. The Forum is scheduled for Sunday, January 25, 2014 and is entitled: "Voting Rights to Equal Rights: The Continuing Struggle." The Forum will be held at the Carrboro Century Center and will cover various topics of gender equity including the 951' anniversary of the 19'h Amendment granting women the right to vote. Carrboro Mayor, Lydia Levelle, will be the principal speaker on the continuum of barriers to equity that women face in the U.S. Commissioner Renee Price will speak on equity in economics. Donna Bickford may also join the panel to speak on sex trafficking. The committee wants Ann Gerhardt to moderate the event and present her slide presentation on gender equity. The committee plans to invite various women's groups to set up displays. Doris added that her sorority, Zeta Phi Beta, will assist at the program. Joyce stated that the dramatization of George Moses Horton's literary works has been sent to two schools for consideration to be acted out by students. Pauli Murray Awards: Gerald stated that the subcommittee will determine whether to make a recommendation to use a different venue for this the 251' anniversary of the PMA's. The committee will also seek collaborations with other groups. It was recommended that the requests for nominations be sent. James will work on getting this information out after it has been reviewed and approved by the committee. Essay Contest Jamie and Vanessa volunteered to join the Essay Contest subcommittee. Jamie added that there is a new school that should receive information about the essay and poster contests: The Expedition School of Hillsborough. Jamie will assist in getting this information to the new school. Poster Contest Page 2 of 3 It was recommended that the contest rules request the entrants to include a description or statement about the art. Jamie made a motion to amend the contest eligibility to include all elementary students, with the following three (3) grade categories: Kindergarten and I" Grade; 2nd and 3rd Grade; and 4d' and 5d' Grade. The top winner in each grade category would be honored instead of there being a 1", 2nd and 3rd place winner. Rollin seconded the motion which carried unanimously. Collateral Consequences: The members discussed whether the Collateral Consequences subcommittee is viable. James read the mission of the HRC aloud. The members determined that, based on the mission of the HRC, the subcommittee should remain in existence. Joyce will serve as chair. Vanessa and Andrea will also serve on the committee. Doris recommended that Dennis Getty from the Community Success Initiative be invited to make a short presentation at an upcoming meeting. Andrea added that she can connect the HRC with Justice in Action, where she serves as a committee member. VII. Other Business /Announcements The members discussed moving the meeting times. Jamie made a motion that the meetings henceforth begin at 6:00 p.m. Gerald seconded the motion which passed unanimously. It was further recommended that guest speakers should be scheduled to present at 7:00 p.m. Vanessa commented on the current issues of police and community relations in Missouri and recommended that our local police officers attend a racial equity training. Vanessa will discover whether this is already being done. Rollin added that the HRC should have a relationship with the County Sheriff's Dept. and suggested that a letter be sent to the BOCC requesting direction on this matter. Christine stated that there was a person from the Sheriff's Dept. at a Human Relations Month Forum about 4 years ago. VIII. Adiourn There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. on a motion by Jamie, seconded by Joyce. Respectfully Submitted: James E. Davis, Jr., Interim Director Page 3 of 3