2008-03-06 Human Relations Advisory Committee Minutes

Home Browse Search

HUMAN RELATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES Ell t!`di;, S March 6, 2008 zooq Pus Present: Margaret Soli, Chair; Lieutenant Michael Cloonan, Lori Hodin, Charlie McDonald, Z: 4 U Monique Pillowgnanaratnam, Nancy Najmi February Minutes: Charlie McDonald was not at the February meeting. The February minutes were approved as amended. Race Workshop: The last of the three race workshops that were held at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Reading resulted in participants wanting to continue the race discussion in Reading. Accordingly, another session will be held on the first or second Wednesday evening in April at the Unitarian Universalist Church. Choosing to Participate Exhibit: The next Massachusetts Municipal Association meeting will be held at the Boston Public Library at 9 AM on March 14 to allow the group to take a tour of the Choosing to Participate Exhibit. Choosing to Participate is an educational initiative that is an extension of the Facing History and Ourselves educational curriculum. Lori Hodin has investigated organizing a tour from Reading to visit the Exhibit before it closes in May. Tours are available on Saturdays at 10 AM and 2 PM, and some tours are available on Sundays at 2 PM. Reviews of the 90-minute tour describe it as a powerful experience. Twenty-five people can join in one tour, or up to 80 people can spread out between four simultaneous tours. - Discussion continued around how to promote this tour in order to encourage as many residents as possible to attend. The powerful RMHS winter plays that focused on different aspects of the Holocaust has resulted in a group of students who have actively become more involved in learning more deeply about the Holocaust and its meaning in our current lives. Parent Linda Snow Dockser is interested in extending the learning opportunities and is being contacted about student interest in joining the tour. Nancy Najmi will contact the RMHS Social Studies teachers, particularly Jim DeBenedictis who is teaching the Facing History and Ourselves course. Next week the town is sponsoring an event called the World Cafe that is being advertised as a stimulator of conversation among Reading residents. Margaret also has the list of names from the Race Workshop. These may provide additional opportunities to promote the tour. Culture Fest: Ashley Amaru and Pritika Patel did a fine job organizing the first Culture Fest. The Human Relations Advisory Committee now has its own display board for future promotional opportunities. Margaret will write a letter to the Times Daily Chronicle editor thanking Ashley and Pritika for their contributions. Margaret has found that a letter to the editor is the simplest way to ensure timely publication. Race and Place: The Winchester Public Library will be hosting this event/workshop on Sunday March 16 from 2:30 - 4:45. If interested, call Sandy Thompson at 781-729-8063. Metco: Metco Lobby Day will be on March 11. Lisa Gibbs of the School Committee is planning to attend. One of the planned World Cafe conversations will be about what is missing in Reading. This may spark a conversation on race, and also on how to grow Metco.