HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.27.25 HRC Minutes 4 Ad
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
Cultivating Community Through Social Justice
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 27,2025
6:00pm—7:30 pm
Solid Waste Management Conference
Room
Member Role Attendance
Commissioners
Jemm Merritt(JM) Commissioner, Chair Present
Rhian Carreker-Ford (RCF) Commissioner, Vice Chair Present
Tonya Jones, (TJ) Commissioner, Secretary Present
Jen Sykes (JS) Commissioner Present
Josh Ravitch (JR) Commissioner Present
Cory Hogans (CH) Commissioner Present
Shane Lukas (SL) Commissioner Present
Wendy Calvin (WC) Commissioner Present
Krista Caraway(KC) Commissioner Present
Orange County Staff
Paul Slack(PS) Chief Civil Rights Officer Present
Courtney McLaughlin (CM) Community Engagement& Outreach Coordinator Present
I. Call to Order—Commissioner Carreker-Ford called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
II. Introduction of new Human Relations Commissioners Wendy Calvin and Krista Caraway
III. Agenda Approval — Motion to approve by Commissioner Sykes, Second by Commissioner Jones,
Unanimous Approval. Minutes approved.
IV. County Updates-OCOEI Staff(6:10p--6:25p) Paul Slack&Courtney McLaughlin
A. Youth Leadership pilot program—15 Orange County students will start in July. Final project on July 24,
2025. Requesting the presence and support of the Human Relations Commission
B. Name Change: Official office name is now Orange County Office of Civil Rights & Civic Life
C. The office is recruiting for an investigator for Fair Housing investigations. Katherine Mathias will be the
Acting Intake Coordinator until someone is hired. State HUD is handling cases right now and there is a
delay in responses to cases. 2 cases are pending.
D. Juneteenth Event—June 13, 2025,the office is requesting volunteers to assist with various tasks during
the event please reach out to Paul Slack or Courtney Mclaughlin if you can assist.
V. Blackwood Farms (6:25p-6:35p)—The marker will be paid with current fiscal year funds. Paul Slack
and Peter Sandbeck to identify a supplier and will report back with character limitations, cost, etc.
Table discussion for June meeting
VI. Executive Committee Report (6:35p-7:00p)
A. The following annual trainings for the commission will need to be scheduled: Civil Rights and Fair
Housing Training and Reconsideration Training. Proposing that if possible this be included in the August
retreat over a two (2) day period. Commissioner Carreker-Ford will be sending out a doodle poll for
Commissioners availability for the dates in August.This will consist of building a calendar, setting FY26
goals, team building, and trainings.
B. Executive Board elections are open and nominations will begin at the June meeting. To ensure a
transition period and allow time for the incoming board to prepare for the August Retreat. If you are
interested in an Executive position and would like to discuss the position further please reach out to
the current incumbent for details. Commissioners also need to join at least 1 subcommittee.
C. Nominations three(3)vacancies—the board will consist of nine(9) members until the September BOCC
meeting. SNAG to review incoming applications as they are received and the commission will re-vote
on nominations at the August meeting.
D. Discussed having a shared HRC calendar on the SharePoint folder. Commissioner Merritt to create an
outlook calendar and submit to the office. It was requested that any office events be sent to the
commission members in a calendar invite. There is an open invite for the HRC to table at events—this
will allow members to engage with the community. Courtney McLaughlin will let us know what tabling
events we can attend.
E. Commissioner Sykes completed the census of the county Advisory Boards and Commissions pivot table
and submitted the information to the office. Anyone can access the PowerBI information. Paul Slack
will submit the report to the BOCC.
VII. Sub-Committee Reports (7:00-7:30)
A. Strategic Advisory Nominations and Governance: Co-Chairs Josh &Alex
i Currently 3 vacancies. Committee will review all present and incoming applications and be
prepared to make a recommendation to the commission in August.
ii. Discussed the roles and responsibilities of this subcommittee
B. Outreach & Engagement: Shane Lukas
i. Discussed the roles and responsibilities of this subcommittee.
C. Community Events: Co-Chairs Tonya &Corey
ii. After Action — Pauli Murray Awards discussion of lessons learned. Things to consider for next
year: plan for excess food —list of organizations that pick-up food; set date/time/ location now;
promoting early as possible; begin outreach now
iii. Subcommittee to prepare a Pauli Murray To-Do list for future reference
iv. Creation of a QR code suggestion of"Do you want to get involved?"the code will provide details
of how to become involved in county events.
VIII. Other Business/Announcements
IX. Adjourn: Commissioner Hogans moved to adjourn the meeting, Commissioner Lukas second,
unanimous approval to adjourn at 7:30 p.m.
Next Meeting:Tuesday,June 24, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at
Bonnie B. Davis (1020 US70 West, Hillsborough, NC 27278)