HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-04-07 Human Relations Advisory Committee Minutesoffl_ill� Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes q r`il IVrn
tia, �'u1JS.
Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Cam/�'r
H� �H U m R N c1�-� o rJ S "V, Sari 2016 r,/ I O P 4� 46
Date: 2016- 07-O�f Time: 7 pm
Building: Reading Police Station Location: Community Room
Address: 15 Union Street
Purpose: Meeting Session:
Attendees: Members - Present:
Lori Hodin, Lynn Dornink, Lt. David Clark, Linda Snow- Dockser, Kyung Yu,
Seema Lynch, Heather McLean
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Ruthie Wilson, Lily Mittnight, Kevin Sexton
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Lynn Dornink
Topics of Discussion:
Linda opened the meeting by sharing a news item about Newton Mayor holding
meetings to address Issues of hate speech that have occured within the town. Ruthie
reported that AWOD Youth Conference at BU went well. Lily reported on GSA and
attendance at Glisten Conference. The GSA would like to see LGBTQ history represented in
Reading High's history and other school curricula. Lily also reported on her attendance with
Linda at METCO Lobby Day in Boston City Hall.
Linda reported that Eastern Bank is eager to fund future MLK events. HRAC will still
need to formally apply for the funds, but it is very likely they will get them. Linda also went
to the Woburn Kohls to thank them for their help with MLK event. The manager said that
they would like to continue offering their associates as volunteers and that volunteers come
with a $500.00 contribution for the event. Knowing that we have access to additional money
could allow us to bring in different kinds of speakers/programs for next year's MLK
celebration.
Heather reported on the survey that she and Seema had put together and that
Heather distributed through Survey Monkey. In all, approximately 17 responses were
received. We read through the comments noting that while there was overall a very positive
feeling about Reading, there was concern about the lack of diversity, the sometimes
exclusionary quality of the town, and the perceived lack of transparency in the reporting of
negative events (e.g., racist graffiti at Parker Middle School). Seema noted that the survey
seems to confirm the need for a committee like HRAC to address these concerns.
Lt. Clark reported on the cases that had been classified as incidents of hate occurring
over the last few years. He identified two Incidents of graffiti —one on Summer and Main and
one on Hartshorn Ave. Linda questioned why the incidents of racist graffiti at Parker Middle
School and spray painted swastikas at a local body shop were not included in the reports. Lt
Clark stated that the way incidents are classified can be complicated and that this might
account for why these incidents did not show up in the search.
Seema handed out a "Strategic Plan Framework" grid she had created to help the
committee connect its goals to objectives, resources, and assessment. We brainstormed
ideas to fill in the grid. We then moved to discussing what we had learned from looking at
web sites in Arlington and Melrose and what that might mean for HRAC. Some suggestions
Page I 1
that came out of this discussion included: changing the committee name from "Human
Relations" to "Human Rights "; including who Is included in "protective classes" in the HRAC
web site as Arlington does; having HRAC members serve as liaisons to various towp
organizations (schools, library etc.) following the model of Arlingtons' "commissionefs ";
working to create more outreach to the town through community based dialogues; and, to
become a "standing committee" rather than an "advisory committee."
Kevin Sexton from the Board of Selectman joined us to discuss how HRAC might best
redefine itself to the Board. He agreed to talk to the Board about having HRAC present at
the June 7`h meeting at 7:45.
Linda moved that a subcommittee be formed to write a first draft of the revised by
laws. Lynn seconded. The vote was 6 -0 in favor. The subcommittee will consist of Seema,
Heather, and Lynn.
Seema will look Into inviting a representative from the Arlington Human Rights
committee to speak to us at our next meeting as we like and admire much of what they
have done on their web site.
Linda reminded the group that her six months as chair were up and that she could
not continue in this role alone. Seema nominated Heather to be chair with Lynn seconding.
Kyun nominated Linda as vice chair with David seconding. Motion to vote the sleight with a
show of hands resulted in a 6 -0 vote in favor. Linda accepted the vice chair conditionally
stating that she may need to resign if her job search results in a changed situation.
Lynn moved that the minutes be accepted as amended with Heather seconding. The
vote was 6 -0 in favor. Seema made a motion to adjourn with Kyun seconding. Vote was 6 -0
in favor. Meeting adjourned at 9:30.
Page 1 2