HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-01-07 Human Relations Advisory Committee MinutestlN ora
Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
Ito RECEIVED
TOWN CLERK
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
READING, MASS.
2016 FEB —8 A 8: 091
Date: 01 -07 -2016 Time: 7 pm
Building: Reading Police Station Location: Community Room
Address: 15 Union Street
Purpose: Meeting Session:
Attendees: Members - Present:
Lori Hodin, Mark Segalla (left at 7:30), Heather McLean, David Clark, Seema
Lynch, Kyung Yu, Linda Snow Dockser (arrived at 8:30)
Members - Not Present:
Monique Grananman
Others Present:
Sherilla Lestrade, Ruthie Wilson, Katherine Grayson, Susan
Gaskell, Jess Squires, Lily Mittnight, Gio Chang, Mahe
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Lynn Dornink
Topics of Discussion:
HRAC welcomed guest, Gio Chang, a Reading resident who had been told about the committee by Rev Kyung
Yu.
Chief Mark Segalla introduced Lt. David Clark who will be attending HRAC Meetings.
Meeting moved to asking members to share newsrinsights: Topics raised included:
' Northeastem's decision to arm their campus police with assault weapons in the case of an active
shooter incident.
'cartoon from Globe about Trump, noting the divisive nature of his campaign.
• Reading public schools are doing mindfulness activities according to a Globe article.
• some families had reported that their kids felt some clubs are exclusive (racially). Example —the
students had applied to AWOD and not been accepted. It made the students feel like some clubs are
only for Caucasians. Student stated that she had applied with 2 friends, one Indian - American and the
other Chinese-American. Neither was selected. Is there a place for race in application process? No.
`Christine put on agenda for next meeting:
`There was a discussion about whether or not Reading citizens could post flyers at Town Hall. Citizen
had asked about posting pro - refugee flyers and been told "no' by the town clerk.
The group then did a cultural sharing activity.
Kyung reported that Reading Clergy Association discussed with librarians about bringing Debbie Irving, author
of Waking Up White to town. The Clergy Council will contribute $450 to help fund the event, which will be
sponsored by the library. HRAC will also talk to Selectmen about ways we can support the event.
AWOD meets next Tuesday and will discuss table for MLK day. The GSP advisor,
Ms Burke was going to collect cans for kids, but we think bags are safer.
The drama club will also be offering something for presentation, and Lily will check in about the details.
MILK updates:
Each member should email 5 people to attend. Mahe was able to get $50 gift card from Market Basket.
We still have a gift card from Target. Linda's working on Bagel world donation.Lod will pick up water bottle from
Reading cooperative bank. Kyung will work together with HS student Paul Chung to make slideshow.
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Update on tables, Mahe contacted 14 people/ 6 confirmed, 4 said no, 4 waiting to hear. Lily will talk to PFLAG.
Posters are printed and still waiting on flyers. If you know place to put up posters, email Linda
We need signs thanking sponsors- Reading Coop Bank, Target, Market Basket, AWOD will fill in any unfilled
spots.
We need to collect emails- how to expedite that? Linda will try to get ipads or computers.
No bracelets this year.
The METCO dancers have said they are dropping out. Linda is meeting with them at 6:45AM tomorrow to
discuss.
To demonstrate the diversity and unified nature of program, everyone will sing "This Little Light of Mine" with
tea lights being lit. The lights will be dimmed.
Should we bring in guest speaker if dancers drop out?
Muslim leader Latifa Ziyad will lead Invocation and the Clergy Association will stand up with her.
Tomas Avila is still available to be a guest speaker. He's an activist from RI for the Hispanic community-
If we invite him should we give him more time?
He's related to Shenlla so will be there anyway.
Clergy Association will donate $200 and Church of Nazarene will donate $100 to the MLK
Lori moved to accept minutes, Kyung seconded and Heather and Seems Lynch voted yes.
Thanks for festival of trees, Sherilla enjoyed making the sled into a tree. It was cool to see the diversity in all
the trees.
Meeting Adjourned 8:55
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