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Human Relations Advisory Committee ;JAN 1 1
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Date: 12 -03 -2015 Time: 7:30 PM
Building: Reading Police Station Location: Community Room
Address: 15 Union Street
Purpose: Meeting Session: General Session
Attendees: Members - Present:
Linda Snow Dockser, Lynn Dornink, Mark Segalla, Kyung Yu, Heather
McLean
Members - Not Present:
Lorl Hodin
Others Present:
Lily Mittnight, Ruthie Wilson, Katherine Grayson, Andrea Fierillo, Susan
Gasket, Monique Grananman, Maha Hanania, Devika /Ellen Hill
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Lynn Dornink
Topics of Discussion:
Attendees introduced themselves and offered examples of when that week they have thought of HRAC.
Linda and Heather reported on the presentation for Board of Selectmen regarding
HRAC social media/communication guidelines. Heather had found precedent for
other town committee's controlling their own media/web pages. BoS agreed that
HRAC could publicize their activities on Facebook and through Mail Chimp, but must
limit information to "calendar" events. Linda stated that HRAC will strive to be
transparent in all future dealings with BoS.
Christine reported that the BoS will be considering creating a Commission on
Disability at their Dec 15 meeting. This Commission would work to make Reading
accessible to all residences, regardless of their abilities. Christine stated that if the
Commission is approved, they would be looking for members.
Ruthie and Katherine reported that the AWOD members are happy to entertain/offer
activities to children of METCO parents who would like to attend HRAC meetings.
Ruthie and Katherine then led a Cultural Sharing Activity.
Linda reported on HRAC's "snowflake" display for the Festival of Trees Celebration.
She received donations from Lowes and Target. Linda will put the display together
and bring to Parker School tomorrow.
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Linda reported that the theme for MLK will be "Illuminating Diversity." Nathalie
Cunha, the HS drama teacher, is working with the theatre students to see about
creating a Flash Mob for the celebration. Jason Cross confirmed that the Metco Dance
group and the Metco children's choir will perform at the celebration. Efforts to find
someone of the Muslim faith to do the invocation has not been successful, but there is
still some time to work on this.
Lynn motioned and Heather seconded that HRAC create a subcommittee to consult
with groups in Wakefield, Winchester, and Melrose who have different organizational
structures. Vote passed 6 -0. Heather volunteered to work with Linda on this
subcommittee.
Andrea, who works for the Reading Public Library, reported that she has been
working to bring Debbie Irving, author of Waking up White, to speak in Reading. She
is hopeful that she may be able to book her for an engagement in April. Devika/Ellen
reported that Irving has been contacted to speak at various churches in Reading and
that she will be speaking at Crawford Methodist Church in Winchester on January 24.
Andrea is also investigating showings of Selma in the future. She also hopes to do a
series on the Abolitionist, Civil Rights, and Black Lives Matter movements. Linda,
Susan, and Heather will be part of a sub - committee that will discuss ways to
collaborate with the Library.
It was agreed that the next meeting will be held on January 7 and start at 7:00. Linda
will join us at 8:00 as she has another meeting that night.
The minutes were approved 6 -0 with Mark moving and Heather seconding. Vote to
adjourn was moved by Mark and seconded by Lynn. Passed 6 -0. Adjournment at 9:20.
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