HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-19-2024 HRC Agenda t
HUMAN RELA11ONS COMMISSION
Cultivating Community Through Social Justice
Agenda
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
6:00—7:00 p.m.
Bonnie B. Davis Agricultural Center
1020 US70 West, Hillsborough, NC 27278
I. Call to Order
II. Agenda Approval
III. Minutes Approval (September 24 2024 & October 22, 2024)
IV. County Updates
V. Executive Committee Report
a. Roberts Rules of Order
b. Parliamentarian Appointment
c. Nominations (Secretary)
d. 2025 Meeting Schedule
e. Annual Report (Due: January 17, 2025)
f. H RC Retreat
g. Leadership Terms
VI. Sub-Committee Reports
a. Nominations & Governance
b. Outreach & Engagement
c. Community Events
VII. Other Business
a. Community Dinner Donation
VIII. Announcements
IX. Adjourn
Next Meeting: Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. on TEAMS
t 0. HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
Cultivating Community Through Social Justice
MINUTES
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
6:00 pm—7:30 pm
Orange County Solid Waste Administration
1207 Eubanks Rd, Chapel Hill, INC 27517
Member Role Attendance
Commissioners
Lynn McGee (LM) Commissioner, Chair Absent
Jenn Sykes(JS) Commissioner, Vice Chair Present
Josh Ravitch (JR) Commissioner Absent
Brooke Capps-Yaroni (BCY) Commissioner Present
Jemm Merritt—Feder(JM) Commissioner Present
Rhian Ford (RF) Commissioner Present
Tonya Jones (TJ) Commissioner Present
Michael Fath (MF) Commissioner Present
Anjail Taylor(AT) Commissioner Absent
Orange County Staff
Paul Slack Director, Chief Equity and Human Rights Officer Present
Courtney McLaughlin (CM) Department of Equity and Human Rights Staff Present
I. Call to Order
A. Commissioner Sykes, Vice Chair called meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
ll. Agenda Approval
A. Approval: Motion made by Commissioner Taylor: Seconded by Commissioner Capps-Yaroni;
Unanimous approval.
III. Minutes Approval—August 27, 2024
A. Approval: Motion made by Commissioner Capps-Yaroni: Seconded by Commissioner Carraker-
Ford; Unanimous approval.
IV. County Updates
A. Share Point Site Update:Sharepoint sent to HRC members from Courtney, though some members
had trouble accessing it. Courtney will reach out to IT on it.
B. Budget Update: Budget for HRC finalized at $10,000 for FY 2025. This is less than the past two
years, but more than before.
C. Fair Housing Complaint Status: No fair housing issues to report for the month.
D. Climate Action Grant Application Access Issues: Climate grant reviews due by end of September,
though some HRC members were still having trouble getting to the applications and would not
make the deadline.
E. Retreat Doodle Poll Status: New administrative person has started half-time to support the HRC in
coordination. Request to hold retreat until after elections, such as in January.
F. Social Media:Jemm now has access to the social media accounts and is posting.
G. One Orange Racialized Histories: One Orange, the group of municipalities and county diversity
staffs, is doing a racial history review for the county.The focus is on the political impacts of race in
the county. HRC members were asked to submit any information between October 1-15 that they
knew about for resources or names or history for the project.
H. Community Listening Session: Community listening session information included in the packet for
the HRC. One is on the 11th for agencies.
V. Executive Committee Report
A. Upcoming Events: Historic Preservation Committee Meeting: Jemm will be attending October
meeting.
B. Vacancies: Request to have evaluations in on Sept. 271h. Will have first three submitted to the
county for approval to attend October meeting. 41h vacancy has arisen so will discuss in October
for November confirmation by BOCC.
VI. HRC Officer Elections
A. Chair: Motion by Commissioner Carraker-Ford to elect Commissioner Merritt; Seconded by
Commissioner Capps-Yaroni; Unanimous approval.
B. Vice Chair: Motion by Commissioner Capps-Yaroni to elect Commissioner Carraker-Ford:Seconded
by Commissioner Fath; Unanimous approval.
C. Secretary: Put on hold until more members are present.
VI I. Sub-Committee Reports
A. Policies and Procedures: No updates at this time.
B. Outreach& Engagement: No updates at this time.
C. Community Events:Commissioner Fath will be ending his term with the HRC on 9/30.Commissioner
Jones will continue with sub-committee.
VIII. Other Business/Announcements
A. No announcements at this time.
IX. Adjourn
A. Commissioner Fath motioned to adjourn at 6:58 p.m.; Seconded by Commissioner Capps-Yaroni;
Unanimous approval.
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, October 22, 2024, on Microsoft Teams Meeting ID: 269 074 498 688 Passcode: 3R5Uxu
4 10., HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
(ultivating (ommunity Through Social Justice
Minutes
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
6:00—7:30 p.m.
Virtual — Microsoft TEAMS
Meeting ID: 269 074 498 688
Passcode: 3R5Uxu
Commission Members Present OEI Staff Members Present
Jemm Merritt, Chair Paul Slack, Chief Equity & Inclusion Officer
Rhian Carreker-Ford, Vice Chair Courtney McLaughlin, Community
Engagement & Outreach Coordinator
Tonya Jones
Anjail Taylor
Commission Members Absent
Jenn Sykes
Josh Ravitch
Brooke Capps-Yaroni
I. Call to Order
a. Commissioner Merritt, Chair called meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.
II. Minutes Approval (September 23, 2024)
III. County Updates
a. One Orange Racialized Histories—Mr. Paul Slack sent an email to all members of
the Commission to receive input on the One Orange Racialized Histories initiative.
Commissioners are encouraged to review the form and provide their insights.
b. Community Listening Sessions- Mrs. Courtney McLaughlin shared that three
listening sessions were held in Chapel Hill and Hillsborough. She reports that there
was good turnout and that the Office received valuable feedback from
participants on their experiences accessing government information and
resources. She shares that the Offices goal is to improve communications through
effective language access planning.
c. Reconsideration Training- Mr. Paul Slack reports that he is finalizing the
reconsideration training with October 30th being the tentative date.
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HUMAN RELA11ONS COMMISSION
Cultivating Community Through Social Justice
d. Annual Report- Mr. Paul Slack reminds the Commission that annual reports are
due to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) in January and emphasizes the
urgency in its completion.
e. Annual Retreat- discussion was held to determine preferences for when the
annual retreat should be held. Mr. Paul Slack directed the Commission to create a
doodle poll to determine the date and provide the decision to the Office.
IV. Executive Committee Report
a. Vacancies—Commissioner Merritt, Chair, reports that there are two (2) new
vacancies for the Commission. Nominations for the three (3) previous vacancies
have been submitted to the BOCC. The Office confirms that Mr. Alexander Fowler,
Mr. James Hogan, and Mr. Shane Lucas were the names submitted based upon
the scorecards received from the Commissioners.
b. In-person Meetings- Commissioner Merritt, Chair, motions to move all future
Commission meeting to be held in-person with the option of virtual access.
Commissioner Carreker-Ford, Vice Chair, opened for discussion and shared that
they believe in-person meetings will allow for members to become more
accountable to their participation. Commissioner Taylor confirms that a virtual
option will be available. Commissioner Taylor seconded the motion. All present
Commissioners voted in favor and motion carried.
c. Restructuring of the Policies & Procedures Subcommittee— Commissioner
Carreker-Ford, Vice Chair, motions to restructure the Policies and Procedures
Subcommittee to become the Nominations and Governance Subcommittee.
Commissioner Carreker-Ford explained that the responsibilities that will be
adopted under this subcommittee will include: a) the review of current policies
and procedures and providing recommendations to the board at-large each
quarter; b) the review of applications from parties interested in serving on the
Commission and reaching out to those interested individuals when board
positions become available; and c) screening potential board members and
making recommendations to the board at-large. Commissioner Jones opened
discussion and clarified whether the subcommittee would be doing the actual
recommendations for the Board to approve. Commissioner Carreker-Ford clarified
that they would provide the recommendations to the Commission to approve and
conduct the initial outreach to applicants being considered. Commissioner Jones
seconded the motion. All present Commissioners voted in favor and motion
carried. Mrs. McLaughlin confirmed that the Office will be sending applications
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HUMAN RELA11ONS COMMISSION
Cultivating Community Through Social Justice
directly to the Nominations and Governance Subcommittee when they receive
them.
d. Funds for Member Nametags- Commissioner Merritt, Chair, motions to allocate
three-hundred dollars ($300.00) from the Commission's budget to purchase name
tags for the Commission members to wear during public events. Commissioner
Jones seconded the motion. All present Commissioners voted in favor and motion
carried.
e. Pauli Murray Awards- Commissioners Merritt and Carreker-Ford opened discussion
about moving the Pauli Murray Award from February to a different time of the
year to allow for better community outreach and grant more time to gather
nominations. Commission directs the Community Events subcommittee to identify
a date to present to the Commission at-large for voting.
V. HRC Officer Elections: Jemm Merritt, Chair
a. Secretary Nominations- Nominations not held at this time.
VI. Sub-Committee Reports
a. Policies & Procedures- Commissioner Taylor reported that they do not have
updates at this time.
b. Outreach & Engagement- Commissioner Carreker-Ford reported that the
subcommittee has proposal that they would like to discuss during the annual
retreat.
c. Community Events- Commissioner Jones reported that they do not have updates
at this time.
VI I. Other Business/Announcements
a. Commissioner Carreker-Ford shared interest in developing a community walk to
explore the historical significance of individuals that have lived in Orange County.
VIII. Adjourn
a. Commissioner Merritt, Chair, adjourned meeting at 6:54 p.m.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the Bonnie B. Davis Agricultural
Center in Hillsborough, NC.
zCHUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
Cultivating Community Through Social Justice
2024 MEETING CALENDAR
Meeting Schedule: Regular meetings convene at 6:00 PM on the fourth Tuesday of each month,
alternating in-person and remotely.
DATE MEETING TIME LOCATION
Tuesday, Jan. 2311 Monthly Meeting 6:00—7:30 PM TEAMS
Saturday, Feb. loth Monthly Meeting 4:00—5:00 PM Bonnie B. Davis Center
1020 US70 West,
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Tuesday, Mar. 26th Monthly Meeting 6:00—7:30 PM TEAMS
Tuesday, Apr. 23rd Monthly Meeting 6:00—7:30 PM Solid Waste Management
1207 Eubanks Road,
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Tuesday, May 28th Monthly Meeting 6:00—7:30 PM TEAMS
Tuesday, Jun. 25th Monthly Meeting 6:00—7:30 PM Bonnie B. Davis Center
1020 US70 West,
Hillsborough, NC 27278
JULY SUMMER BREAK—NO MEETING
Tuesday, Aug. 27th Monthly Meeting 6:00—7:30 PM TEAMS
Tuesday, Sept. 24th Monthly Meeting 6:00—7:30 PM Solid Waste Management
1207 Eubanks Road,
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Tuesday, Oct. 22"d Monthly Meeting 6:00—7:30 PM TEAMS
Tuesday, Nov. 19th Monthly Meeting 6:00—7:30 PM Bonnie B. Davis Center
1020 US70 West,
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Tuesday, Dec. 17th Monthly Meeting 6:00—7:30 PM TEAMS
LOCATION:
Monthly meetings will alternate between being held in person and remotely (via Microsoft Teams). In-person
monthly meetings will offer remote attendance (via Microsoft Teams). Meeting dates during the holiday
season are likely to change. All HRC trainings, orientations, and retreats will be held in person.
TEAMS MEETING INFORMATION:
The public will have access to meetings on the schedule via the following link, which will be on the
Department's/HRC website.
Join on your computer, mobile app, or room device:
Click here to loin the meeting
Meeting ID: 269 074 498 688
Passcode: 3R5Uxu
Download Teams I Join on the web
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
Cultivating Community Through Social Justice
2025 Meeting Schedule (draft proposal)
Meeting Frequency: regular meetings convene in-person at 6:00 pm on the fourth Tuesday
of each month with the option to join virtually.
Date Time Location
January 28, 2025 6:00—7:30 pm
February 25, 2025 6:00—7:30 pm
March 25, 2025 6:00—7:30 pm
April 22, 2025 6:00—7:30 pm
May 27, 2025 6:00—7:30 pm
June 24, 2025 6:00—7:30 pm
NO MEETINGS IN JULY
August 26, 2025 6:00—7:30 pm
September 23, 2025 6:00—7:30 pm
October 28, 2025 6:00—7:30 pm
November 25, 2025 6:00—7:30 pm
December 23, 2025 6:00—7:30 pm
Location:
Monthly meetings will be held in person. In-person monthly meetings will offer remote
attendance (via Microsoft teams). Meeting dates during the holiday season are likely to change.
All HRC trainings, orientations, and retreats will be held in person.
Teams meeting information:
The public will have access to meetings on the schedule via the following link, which will be on
the department's/HRC website.
Join on your computer, mobile app, or room device:
NAME OF BOARD/COMMISSION Human Relations Commission
Report Period January 2022-December 2022
ORANGE COUNTY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
ANNUAL REPORT/ WORK PLAN FOR THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
The Board of Commissioners appreciates the dedication of all the volunteers on their
boards and commissions and welcomes input from various boards and commissions
throughout the year. Please complete the following information, limited to the front and
back of this form. Other background materials may be provided as a supplement to, but
not as a substitute for, this form.
Board/Commission Name: Orange County Human Relations Commission
Person to address the BOCC and contact information:
Allison Mahaley
Human Relation Commission, Chair
allison.mahaley@gmail.com
336-212-0138
Dr. Shameka Fairbanks
Chief Equity & Human Rights Officer
Orange County Office of Equity and Inclusion
sfairbanks@orangecountync.gov
919-245-2317
Primary County Staff Contact:
Melvyn Blackwell, Civil Rights Specialist
Orange County Office of Equity and Inclusion
mblackwell@orangecountync.gov
919-245-2497
How many times per month does this board/commission meet, including any special
meetings and sub-committee meetings?
Meetings are monthly (every fourth Tuesday) except for July, special meetings
are as needed.
Brief Statement of Board/Commission's Assigned Charge and Responsibilities.
a. Studying and making recommendations concerning problems in the field
of human relations.
b. Anticipating and discovering potential issues that may create animosity
and unrest, and seeking solutions as they arise.
C. Making recommendations designed to promote goodwill and harmony
among groups in the county irrespective of the race, color, creed, religion,
ancestry, national origin, sex, affectional preference, disability, age, marital stats,
political affiliation, or status with regard to public assistance.
d. Monitoring and investigating appeals to complaints of discrimination;
e. Addressing and attempting to remedy the violence, tensions, polarization,
and other harm created through the practices of discrimination, bias, hatred, and
civil inequality; and
f. Promoting harmonious relations with the County through hearings and due
process of law.
g. Enforce the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance (1995) and other
functions on behalf of the HRC as mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development through its cooperative agreement with the County.
What are your Board/Commission's most important accomplishments?
Conducted Community Assessments:
Conducted survey resulting in quantitative data regarding diverse representation and
participation on Orange County Boards and Commissions.
Increased Awareness
1. Conducted a community conversation about what children should be taught
about race in schools.
2. Presented Pauli Murray Awards in a 2-part series using virtual award
presentation and a keynote speaker, presenting the movie "My name is Pauli
Murray."
3. Hosted a community book-read event
Increased Board Capacity
1. Participated in several Board trainings:
• Board orientation
• State Human Relations Commission on History, Organizational Structure;
Current Activities, and our Charge and Responsibilities;
Strategic Planning Initiative:
1. Developed annual Action Plan and held an informative and productive Strategic
Planning Retreat
List of Specific Tasks, Events, or Functions Performed or Sponsored Annually.
1. Pauli Murray Awards
2. Community Conversation Forums
3. Community Book Read
4. Outside Agency Funding Review
5. Review and recommend action as a result of appeals process for claims of
discrimination
Describe this board/commission's activities/accomplishments in carrying out BOCC
goal(s)/priorities, if applicable.
The HRC's initiatives described and listed above are directly connected to the
stated goals and objectives of the BOCC's efforts to "bridge diverse cultural
populations and values while promoting activities that promote positive social
change toward improved equality and inclusion within Orange County.
Describe the collaboration relationship(s) this particular board has with other advisory
boards and commissions?
HRC collaborates with the Commission on the Environment reviewing grant
applications submitted to fund various climate change initiatives through the
lenses of social and racial justice.
Identify any activities this Board/Commission expects to carry out in 2023 as they relate
to established BOCC goals and priorities. If applicable, is there a fiscal impact (i.e.,
funding, staff time, and other resources) associated with these proposed activities
(please list).
Activity Fiscal Impact
Pauli Murray Awards Staff time; Division allocation for event
Community Read and Discussion Staff time; Division allocation for event
HRC Strategic Planning Retreat- Staff time; Division allocation for event
November 2023
Fair Housing Training Staff time; Division allocation for event
Fair Housing Month Staff time; Division allocation for event
Conduct Surveys and disseminate results Staff time; Division allocation for event
Marketing to increase awareness and Staff time; Division allocation for event
build capacity of HRC
Conduct community conversations Staff time; Division allocation for event
Communications Plan Staff time; Division allocation for event
Freedom Celebration Staff time; Division allocation for event
What are the concerns or emerging issues your board has identified for the upcoming
year that it plans to address, or wishes to bring to the Commissioners' attention?
• Mandatory training for Orange County employees that increase awareness of
racial equity and social justice issues affecting Orange County
• Increase positive public discourse and engagement unifying public schools and
parents
• Increase in voting participation and activity
• Increase community engagement among migrant populations
• Building awareness of driver's license restoration initiatives
• Participate in conversations addressing equitable land use
• Build public trust for participating in local government
• Increase positive civic participation and engagement among diverse populations
within Orange County
• Increase diversity and representation among members of boards, committees,
and commissioners.
ORANGE COUNTY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
ANNUAL REPORT/ WORK PLAN
Board/Commission Name: Click or tap here to enter text.
Report Period: January 2024-December 2024
The Board of Commissioners appreciates the dedication of all the volunteers on their
boards and commissions and welcomes input from various boards and commissions
throughout the year. Please complete the following information, limited to the front and
back of this form. Other background materials may be provided as a supplement to, but
not as a substitute for, this form.
Person to address the BOCC and contact information: Click or tap here to enter text.
Primary County Staff Contact Person: Click or tap here to enter text.
How many times per month does this board/commission meet, including any special
meetings and sub-committee meetings?
Brief Statement of Board/Commission's Assigned Charge and Responsibilities.
What are your Board/Commission's most important accomplishments?
List of Specific Tasks, Events, or Functions Performed or Sponsored Annually.
Describe this board/commission's activities/accomplishments in carrying out BOCC
goal(s)/priorities, if applicable.
Describe the collaboration relationship(s) this particular board has with other advisory
boards and commissions?
Identify any activities this board/commission expects to carry out in 2024 as they relate
to established BOCC goals and priorities. If applicable, is there a fiscal impact (i.e.,
funding, staff time, other resources) associated with these proposed activities (please
list).
What are the concerns or emerging issues your board has identified for the upcoming
year that it plans to address, or wishes to bring to the Commissioners' attention?