Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHRC Minutes 011320 HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION (ultivating Community Through Social Justice MINUTES January 13, 2020 6:00 pm —7:30 pm Orange County Library 137 W. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, NC MEMBERS PRESENT STAFF Samantha Beecham Tara May, Civil Rights Specialist Dion Graham Melvyn Blackwell, Intake Specialist Ana Garcia-Turner Annette Moore, Director Allison Mahaley Tomeka Ward-Satterfield Brenda Amezquita-Castro Frances Castillo James Spivey Jamie Paulen MEMBERS ABSENT Stephanie Harrell (excused) GUESTS I. Call to Order A. The meeting was called to order at 6:07pm by Ms. Allison Mahaley, Vice Chair. A quorum was present at 6:10pm. II. Introductions A. Human Rights & Relations (HR&R) staff, current and recently added Human Relations Commission (HRC) members, made introductions. Ms. Mahaley led members in an introduction icebreaker. III. Minutes Approval — December 9, 2019 A. HRC members reviewed the minutes from the previous HRC meeting. Ms. Beecham suggested the date be corrected to December 9, 2019 and not September 9, 2019. t B. Mr. James Spivey made a motion to approve the minutes with suggested edits. Ms. Frances Castillo seconded the motion. All were in favor to approve the minutes with suggested additions. IV. HRC Chair's Report A. Ms. Mahaley reported that she briefly spoke with Dr. Debby Stroman about the last meeting and the conversation around the Sherriff's office and policies' concerning immigrants. Ms. Mahaley noted that Ruby Franco, of El Pueblo, was hoping to speak to the HRC but was not on this meeting's agenda. Ms. Mahaley asked members if they would like to hear from Franco pertaining to the matters of their organization and the Sherriff's office. Ms. Jamie Paulen commented that she spoke with Ms. Franco. Ms. Paulen suggested that the HRC wait until the next HRC meeting and receive more clarity on the Sherriff's office polices. B. HRC members will monitor the Sheriff's department policy implementation. V. County Updates A. Ms. Annette Moore discussed her findings in relation to the Sheriff's department. She explained how she has reviewed correspondence between the Sheriff's office and the legal representatives of El Pueblo. She noted how the actions of the Sheriff's office seem to be consistent with the Sheriff's presentation at the October 2019 HRC meeting. She expressed the importance of the Latino community's trust with the Sheriff's department and other local government offices. Ms. Moore said that she will reach out to Ms. Franco and express to Ms. Franco the HR&R department's willingness to assist in the facilitation of conversations or problem resolution in the community. B. Ms. Moore reminded HRC members that the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) requires that members attend 75% of HRC meetings. She explained that both excused and unexcused absences count against attendance percentage. She encouraged HRC members to continue to be mindful of their attendance. C. Ms. Moore mentioned the BOCC's request of the HRC to assess advisory boards and committees, and how to diversify them. She encouraged HRC members to create a sub- committee for this initiative. Ms. Brenda Amezquita-Castro, Mr. Dion Graham, Ms. Tomeka Ward-Satterfield, and Ms. Ana Garcia-Turner will subcommittee this initiative. Ms. Garcia-Turner will send out a doodle poll to sub-committee members on best times to meet. D. Ms. Moore reminisced on when the HRC celebrated and honored first women of the county (pioneering women in Orange County) in past years. She discussed the idea of organizing a gathering celebrating Women's History Month and the 1001h year anniversary of women's right to vote by recognizing and honoring women in the county that were pioneers (socially, professionally, politically). HRC members were in favor of supporting this idea. VI. Election of Officers A. Ms. Moore announced that Dr. Stroman and Mr. Marc Xavier resigned as members of the HRC. Mr. Spivey nominated Ms. Castillo as chair of the HRC. Ms. Mahaley seconded the motion and all were in favor. Ms. Paulen nominated Ms. Mahaley as vice-chair of the HRC. Ms. Amezquita-Castro seconded the motion and all were in favor. Ms. 2 Mahaley nominated Ms. Garcia-Turner to be secretary of the HRC. Mr. Spivey seconded the motion and all were in favor. VI I. Review of the Non-Discrimination Ordinance DRAFT A. Ms. Moore discussed the Non-Discrimination Ordinance. She explained that the County Attorney has asked that the HRC review the ordinance and provide feedback. Ms. Moore encouraged members to take it home to review and provide feedback at the next HRC meeting. VIII. HRC Events & Committee Reports A. Pauli Murray Awards 1. Ms. Tara May reminded HRC members that the deadline for nominations was December 31, 2019. She reported there were seven nominations for the adult awardee, one nomination for a youth awardee, and one nomination for a business. Ms. May will send the nominations to sub-committee members. She explained the matrix as a measure for selecting winners. 2. Ms. May noted that there were no submissions for the student video contest. She mentioned that she received some comments on the contest in relation to practicability and feasibility for some students. She advised that this portion will not be featured on the program. She encouraged different ideas for HRC members to think of for next year. 3. Ms. May informed HRC members that due to recent resignations there are currently two members remaining on the sub-committee. Ms. Moore invited HRC members to join the sub-committee. Ms. Mahaley joined the sub- committee. Ms. Moore reminded members that even though a category only has one nominee, it doesn't mean the nominee necessarily has to be selected. She encouraged members to choose the one nominee, only if the nominee qualifies as a winner. 4. Ms. Paulen made a motion to allow the sub-committee to select the winners and report back to the group and notify Ms. May by January 27, 2019. Ms. Amezquita-Castro seconded the motion and all were in favor. Ms. May explained the award ordering process and encouraged sub-committee members to notify her sooner than later. 5. Ms. Moore announced that the speaker of for the event will be distinguished author and University of Georgia Professor, Edward Pavlic. She explained that he has written pieces on several African American artist and intellectuals. He also wrote an essay on Pauli Murray's Dark Testament. B. Community Read 1. Ms. Castillo reported that Mr. James Williams, of the Orange County Community Remembrance Coalition (OCCRC), would be interested in partnering with the HRC for a community read. Mr. Spivey voiced his lack of interest of promoting a community read with a focus on lynchings and hangings. He suggested that the HRC not partner with the OCCRC. He suggested that we choose a book with a focus on systems of oppression and/or racism. HRC members agreed to plan the community read independently. 2. Ms. Paulen joined the sub-committee. 3 IX. Other Business/Announcements/Upcoming Events X. Adjourn A. NEXT MEETING: Monday, February 10, 2020 at Animal Services Conference Room, located at 1601 Eubanks Rd., Chapel Hill 4