HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-02-04 Human Relations Advisory Committee MinutesgyN OFR�
Town of Reading
y Meeting Minutes
O moo° RECEIVED
iOWN CLERK
Board - Committee - Commission - Council: READING, MASS.
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10116 MAR 21 A 1� 321
Date: 2016 -02 -04 Time: 7 pm
Building: Reading Police Station Location: Community Room
Address: 15 Union Street
Purpose: Meeting Session:
Attendees: Members - Present:
Lori Hodin,David Clark, Linda Snow Dockser, Lynn Dornink, Kyung Yu,
Seema Lynch
Members - Not Present:
Heather Mclain, Monique Grananman
Others Present:
Ruthie Wilson, Catherine Grayson, Jess Squires, Jason Cross
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Lynn Dornink
Topics of Discussion:
Meeting called to order by Linda. METCO director, Jason Cross, reported on METCO
Lobby Day, which will be held March 15, at the State House. METCO funding is always in
danger of being cut, so the more supporters who turn out to lobby the better. Jason pointed
out that Lobby Day helps put "a face to the METCO program." We discussed how we can
support these efforts. Linda plans to drive a van in and is able to take high school students
as well as others. Ruthle and Katherine will discuss with AWOD about attending and /or
writing letters of support. HRAC members can also attend /write letters and encourage other
Reading residents to do likewise. Letter writing should be added to March meeting agenda.
Linda reported that Debbie Irving, author of Waking ip White, will be speaking at
the Reading Unitarian Church on March 29. The event was organized by the Library, with
the help of donations from the Reading Clergy Association. There will also be a discussion of
the book on March 12, from 2 -3 at the Library. Linda will be sending an email to members
asking if they can volunteer at the event. We also discussed ways to appeal to young people
and a more diverse audience when publicizing the event. Suggestions Included publicizing
the talk under a different name, emphasizing the multi -media aspect of the presentation,
and using social media to comment on the event as it happens.
Catherine and Ruthie reported that there will be a Youth Congress for AWOD that
some of their members will be attending.
Lori led a Vision activity on the issue of micro aggressions. She referenced the
#BlackatBLS social media campaign started by two students at Boston Latin who have
experienced harassment and insensitivity at the school.
Linda asked if there were any members Interested in joining Heather and her in
doing organization research.
Linda led the debriefing of the MLK celebration. Turnout was similar to last year.
Overall, feedback was quite positive. Highlights for Lori were the METCO School Choir and
RMHS members' performance of 'Dreaming with Eyes Open." Linda appreciated visuals put
together by Kyung Yu for their honesty. Some points for next year: order one less coffee
(leftovers), add an HRAC table to hallway exhibitors, provide a map of the tables in the
program to increase audience awareness and provide guidance for table volunteers, make
assignments to volunteers ahead of time, work to shorten program to an hour, assure that
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sound system is set up correctly, run through the program prior to it starting (which means
earlier arrival times for those involved), and working toward a more graceful and satisfying
ending —Jason suggested ending with video or stills of Dr. King with excerpts from his
speeches.
Seema reported on her research about the history and purpose of HRAC. She read
committee minutes back to 2001. She stated that her findings suggest that HRAC's
mission /purpose needs clarification. Some of the confusion stems from the ordering of the 4
goals outlined in the Mission Statement. Older versions of the Mission Statement emphasize
outreach as the first goal, while a newer version emphasizes education and celebration of
diversity as the first goals. There is also confusion around how much autonomy HRAC has
as an "advisory to the Board of Selectman." Given this, it was agreed that it is premature to
invite members of Wakefield to an HRAC meeting. In fact, It may be helpful for HRAC
members to visit other towns, such as Arlington, to see and learn from their model. It was
agreed that discussing the Mission Statement goals should be the primary agenda item for
the next meeting. There is also some urgency In discussing the issue raised about AWOD's
selection process, and that too will be discussed at next month's meeting.
Linda reminded the committee that her agreed upon time of six months is coming to
an end and that she cannot continue as the sole chair after that time. She is willing,
however, to serve as co- chair.
The minutes were approved as amended with Seema moving and David seconding.
The vote was 5 -0 in favor. Seema moved to adjourn, with David seconding. The vote was 5-
0 in favor. Meeting adjourned at 9:12.
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