2005-03-03 Human Relations Advisory Committee Minutes

Home Browse Search

CU( HUMAN RELATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES. 11 is 08 March 3, 2005 7:30PM at Police Station First Floor Co mty oom Present: Margaret Soli, Chair, C. McDonald, Elaine Webb and P. Kelley members. The minutes for Sept. 2, 2004, Nov. 4, 2004 and Feb. 3, 2005 were reviewed and approved. There was a discussion about the METCO update at the last meeting of Feb.3 All agreed it was a good presentation and the question was raised whether the taping of the meeting or an edited version was to be shown on RCTV. C. McDonald will inquire. The Chair noted that METCO Lobby Day was scheduled for March 15 and stated she intended to attend. Ms. Webb was not sure if her schedule would allow it. C. McDonald will not and P. Kelley had not made a decision on the issue. The members reviewed progress on the Anytown program. Margaret Soli had spoken with a student from Stoneham who spoke most highly about it. She had also approached Rotary and understands from John Douglas that Rotary had voted to donate $500 to support scholarship for two youths. The program is offered to Sophomores and Juniors. We discussed whether Nancy Namji might be able to ascertain students who would be interested, what were the groups at the high school which existed and should be contacted and who were the faculty contacts - such as the Unity group, a Diversity group, the Gay Straight Alliance and the Amnesty International group. Elaine Webb agreed to attempt to make this determination. P. Kelley suggested that it would be good for the committee to be in contact with these groups and their moderators and that possibly the Committee could invite some interested students to become associate members of the committee. It was also suggested that consideration should be given to bring the program to the \ attention of the clergy through the Clergy Association so they might propose it to their respective youth groups. The matter will be further reviewed at the next meeting. Paul Kelley mentioned a series of video clips provided to him by the PBS program Religion and Ethics Weekly. These clips on various subjects were short presentation of an issue from the TV program accompanied by a guide for discussion by a group. For example, there were several on Islam and Democracy and also on gay marriage. These can be used to promote a dialogue such as the earlier town wide dialogue conducted by the Department of Justice several years ago and might be a resource to conduct a public meeting of the Committee. It was agreed to view an example at the next meeting of a subsequent one as time permits. After noting that the town election was on April 5 and the next meeting on April 7, it was voted to adjourn at approximately 9:OOPM. Respectfully submitted, Paul A. Kelley, Secretary