HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.22.23 - Minutes HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
Cultivaling Community Through Social Justin
MINUTES
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
6:00 pm —7:30 pm
Virtual Meeting via Zoom
https://orangecountync.zoom.us/i/85782134210
MEMBERS PRESENT STAFF
Anjail Taylor Melvyn Blackwell, Civil Rights Specialist
Nathalie Volkheimer Courtney McLaughlin, Community Engagement&Outreach
Coordinator
Josh Ravitch Shameka Fairbanks, Chief Equity& Human Rights Officer
Ruby Garcia Rachel Collins, Intake Specialist
Jenn Sykes
Jemm Merritt—Feder
Michael Fath
Lynn McGee
Guest
Laing, Associate Director, Orange County Rape Crisis Center
Morgan Peirce, Orange County Staff Attorney
I. Call to Order I Lynn McGee, Chair
A. Attendees of the meeting introduced themselves
II. Approval of Minutes/Notes from previous meetings
A. Notes from June 20, 23 meeting were provided (Notes instead of minutes due to
insufficient attendance for quorum).
B. The minutes from April 23 and May 23 will be voted on at the next meeting
ACTION Melvyn Blackwell/Courtney McLaughlin Minutes from April, May, and August
retreat meeting notes and meeting to be shared for the next meeting for
confirmation/review
III. Executive Committee Report
A. Retreat Session #1 Overview
i. Notes from the retreat will be circulated for the next meeting.
1. Newest Policy for the HRC states 12 Commissioners, currently HRC
membership is at 8. At least four more commissioners are required.
ii. Officer Election Results
1. Co-Chairs were elected at the retreat in August.
Dr. Fairbanks advised that the group may only have a single Chair
Nomination of Chair— Ms. McGee
Mr. Fath nominated
Josh Ravitch seconded
Resolved Ms. McGee is the Chair
2. Ms. Volkheimer was elected as Secretary at the August retreat.
iii. Goals, Charge and Objectives
ACTION: Mr. Blackwell to circulate the most up to date version of the HRC
policies.
iv. County Needs Assessment Request: BOCC
1. Dr. Fairbanks advised that Orange County is formulating their strategic plan
and will inform the work of the HRC.
IV. County Updates
A. Equity & Inclusion Staff Report
i. Mr. Blackwell gave an overview of training, conferences and meetings coming up.
Encouraged HRC to attend required trainings and to inform him if they have
interest in attending other mentioned conferences and/or meetings.
Mrs. McLaughlin reminded HRC members of the Corner Stone Community training
available, and requested those interested to contact her directly.
ACTION: Mr. Blackwell/Mrs. McLaughlin will send info/flyers on all events to all
commissioners.
ii. Mr. Blackwell informed the HRC that the Community Action Grant Application
scoring will begin at the next meeting, and to expect those applications to come
through email.
iii. All commissioners have now completed HRC orientation.
iv. Mr. Blackwell reviewed current open housing and public accommodations cases.
Also reviewed closed cases from the last 12 months. Target for closing/resolving
cases is 100 days.
V. Morgan Pierce reviewed the scope and charge of the advisory boards of Orange
County. Some points covered consisted of the following:
1. Discussion of draft documentation management was discussed to ensure
appropriate consultation and confidentiality.
2. Encouragement to go through the chain of command for feedback on
documents which will go to the BOCC
3. Encouragement to be conscious and deliberate that at a specific event's
designation is known. For example, if you are not attending an event as a
commissioner, one must have clarity around that, especially at political
events. If one is invited to an event as an HRC member, informing the staff
of one's attendance in advance is best practice.
V. HRC Commissioner Applications-Deferred for next meeting
VI. HRC Events and Committee Reports—Deferred for next meeting
A. Community Read - Ruby Garcia
B. Communications - Nathalie Volkheimer
i. Ms. Volkheimer will reach out to commission members individually regarding their
feedback on communication initiatives and will report next month.
C. Pauli Murray Awards - Michael Fath
D. Other Subcommittees- No reports
VI I. Other Business
VIII. Adjourn and Next Meeting
IX. Adjourn
X. September 26, 2023 at 6:00 pm
NEXT MEETING: September 26, 2023, via Microsoft Teams
https://orangecountync.gov/HRCMeeting