HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-02-05 Human Relations Advisory Committee Minutes:# Town of Reading
- Meeting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Cound:
Human kekftns Advisory Committee
Date: 2015 -02-45 Time: 7:30 PM
Building: Reaft Poke Sion
Address: 16 towell Sbeet
Purpose: Monthly meetlnE
Attendees: Members - Present:
i AWN CLERK
;;DING. MASS.
1315 MAR 10 A W"'
Location: CommuMly fk*M
Camille Anthony, Kyunq Lyus Meek D. LM>da Srwaer- �rer', Lori
Hodin
Members - Not Present:
Sandra Pop*, Monklue Gnsnsrstnam
Others Present:
38net Faulkner, Lynn DorT*V, Eleanor twin
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Lori Hodh
Topics of Discussion:
Welcomed visitors to the meeting:
Janet Faulkner resident and labor and employment lawyer works in private practice in her
home
Lynn Domek writing teacher at Northeastern Director of General studies— has 2 kids
8th grader and Junior (Lily Mitnight)
Eleanor Dustin
Action Items:
Review the Martin Luther King Day Program:
food went fine, enough Bagel World cut bagels on platters (15doz) cream cheese (30)
and water and coffee 10 boxes of coffee— they didn't give us enough cups, Camille had
to go back get more cups and bought 2 boxes of decaf.
We had around 400 people
powerpoint was wonderful- Lori writes Paul Chong thank you note
Rob Surette huge part of event, not sure we'll have it as big next year.
Lynn I didn't like it, was a little shocked it tipped over into inappropriate, the self -
importance, an advertisement, I didn't see connection. He was too bombastic. Why is he
doing Einstein? I liked beginning and singing. I was left dismayed.
Linda- Give him credit and express concerns, he was sick and didn't get Sharon's email,
we don't have portraits yet. One selectman (John Halsey) was so moved he bought the
portraits in the auditorium. MLK and Abe Lincoln will go to Town Hall. We have 7
different portraits that have not been revealed. Problem most students did not go to MLK
celebration, because they're studying for midterms. Linda suggested Rob presents
portraits to student body in field house. Linda would like portraits to be a catalyst for
discussion and remembering.
really loved METCO choir
Jason really led it He was really magical with them. He had something positive and
challenging to each kid,and something nice to each of the parents, they were late and he
had a place to go but he was patient.
Maybe merge all the singers together, such an energy.
We've built up momentum Burlington Kohls asking to work together again,
Lynnfield, Wakefield are interested, hope is that we can keep participation going
Janet Faulkner lived in Wakefield prior to Reading can help out
Ideas about unveiling the Library Media Center Portraits:
unveil Lenny Zakim portrait in front of selectmen.
At RMHS- tie to the Victory bell or morning announcements
At Artsfest
a reception for the town
Linda told Zakims she'd take them out to lunch when Zakim portrait unveiled, (she's
happy to organize the reception)
Discuss investment of donations remaining.
Linda fundraising report— total raised $4,075, event cost $2704.42
I like the remainder to be budgeted for ongoing diversity work
Jason would like to spirit day for different school- where Boston and Reading students
wore matching tee shirts, money could be seed money.
Donors said that money can be used for activities related to our vision. Reading Cultural
Council money must go to performance and Zakim portrait (they gave $925, performance
and portrait cost $950)
AWOD registration fees, Reading Cooperative Bank funded half for next year,need
another half -
$2800 AWOD includes youth congress
Linda has thanked: Moynehans, Honeydew, Kohls, Reading Cultural Council
Do we want to have fair in main street next year for MLK celebration ?
Update on Winchester Outreach Program
Linda and Camille went to Winchester- really interesting
They don't have a consulting program but they'd be willing to talk to us about how they
run their organization. They have a training in March, if we all went we'd need to post.
Discuss collaboration with Winchester 'Take a Stand Against Racism Day'— maybe
work with METCO parents.
The charter for our committee expires in June, we can go to Selectmen to ask to for reup.
They'd say yes. Should we regionalize? should we go private? Winchester chose to go
private.
Camille and Linda will meet with Ruth Urel about an exhibit for the library related to
Black History Month.
BPL has lots of different ideas- movies, Black authors, read alouds...
Potential discussion with METCO Director/ families about response to racist graffiti.
Racist graffiti at Parker Middle school was investigated by police, families don't feel
threatened, feel like it's an anomaly. First incident, in bathroom, investigation was
inconclusive, but target student left as well as potential perpetrator. Second incident at
Parker this year. METCO parents would like to work with us in a constructive
conversation or activity to move forward.
Invite Kathy Ann from Winchester to April 2nd meeting, if Kathy can come then invite
Wakefield. Discuss meeting with Wakefield who wishes to initiate an HRAC
Discuss status of the Committee as of 6/30/2015 – Town sponsored or private