HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-10-03 Human Relations Advisory Committee MinutesOoh OF [I
Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Human Relations Advisory Committee 2 A W 32
Date: 2013 -10 -03 Time: 7:30 PM
Building: Reading Police Station Location: Community Room
Address: 15 Union Street
Purpose: Monthly meeting
Attendees: Members - Present:
Camille Anthony, Monique Pillow Gnanaratnam, Lori Hodin, Karen Janowski,
Prabha Sankaran, Carie Torrence, Jackie Wallace
Members - Not Present:
Chief Jim Cormier
Others Present:
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Carie Torrence
Topics of Discussion:
Review and approve minutes from June 5, 2013 meeting
Karen Janowski moves to accept minutes. Lori Hodin seconds. All in favor (4 -0).
Review of Fall Street Faire
Fall Street Faire — worked well, banner, pencils. Booth was opposite Thai restaurant. World of
Difference students came to help — passed out flyers.
Costs for Street Faire approximately $550. Paid by Littler Mendelson. Camille to send thank
you.
Sign in sheet at Faire — several people interested in group. Corey Collins very interested in
program; Bill Russell issue — send apology. Camille will email people to say thank you for
interest. Discussions regarding sending invitations to future meeting.
Appointment of high school members
Julie Dudley- Kramer is no longer a member; off to college.
Lori Hodin: We usually contact WOD faculty advisor for recommendations. Lori will email
Michelle for recommendations for a junior and senior member.
Initial planning for MLK Celebration
Lori Hodin agreed to take lead on MILK celebration. Prabha Sankaran will work with Lori.
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• Speaker:
• Monique Gnanaratnam and Jackie Wallace to research potential speakers.
Group to finalize at next meeting.
• Last year, Reading School District provided honorarium to speaker ($500).
• Logistics:
• Same venue, day and time as last year. Try to keep program shorter than last
year.
• Karen Janowski to contact John Doherty regarding facilities and honorarium.
• Food:
o Camille Anthony will be responsible for food.
• Miscellaneous:
• Promote Arts Contest
• Lori to bring handouts for kids to draw about diversity
• Try to involve METCO
♦ Initial planning for Arts Contest
Karen Janowski agreed to take lead on Arts Contest. Jackie Wallace will work with Karen.
• Logistics
• Same general format as prior years
• Monday, April 2, 2014
• Any medium is eligible
• Consider pulling in different judges
■ Karen to contact Ms. Daily as potential judge
• Promotion
• Start promoting earlier this year
• Try to encourage greater involvement at high school level
• Jackie will draft a letter about the contest to solicit entries. Carie Torrence to
send Jackie sample from prior years.
• Reach out to principals, art teachers and diversity groups
• Karen to send emails to principals and follow up with phone calls
• Jackie to reach out to the YMCA
• Lori to reach out to English Language program at high school
• Reach out to Creative Arts School
• Prizes
o In past, Rotary sponsored. Need to reach out to Rotary.
Discussion of possible future activities
• Partnering with other groups:
• Karen to invite new METCO Director to November meeting
• Lori will reach out to WOD clubs
• Future Direction of Committee:
o Need to schedule brainstorm session at future meeting - either November or
December - depending on availability of METCO Director for welcoming
reception
• Budget:
• Considering seeking small budget from Town.
• Need to identify specific program that needs funding before making the
request.
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• Prior racial incident in middle school
• Monique sent a letter to the Board of Selectmen
• Talk with Chief Cormier at future meeting
• Research how other communities handle similar incidents
• Possibly facilitate meeting with stakeholders (Police & School District)
• Membership
• Need update on maximum members and voting versus non - voting members
• Carie to contact Town Clerk
• Next Meeting
• First Thursday of November
• Time dependent on availability of Metco Director
Lori Hodin moves to adjorn. Karen Janowski second. All in favor (5 -0).
Adjorn at 8:35 pm
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