HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-11-03 Human Relations Advisory Committee Minuteso�y OrR�O
Town of Reading
"�tll Meeting Minutes
RECEIVED
TOWN CLERK
Board -Committee -Commission -Council: riEADING. MASS.--
Human Relations Advisory Committee 1016 DEC -I P I: 38
Date: 2016-11-03 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Police Station Location: Community Room
Address: 15 Union Street
Purpose: Meeting Session:
Attendees: Members - Present:
David Clark, Linda Snow-Dockser, Heather McLean, Kyung Yu, Seema Lynch,
Lori Hodin
Members - Not Present:
Lynn Dominic
Others Present:
Ruthie Wilson, Jess Squires, Leah Richardson, Catherine Grayson
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Lori Hodin on behalf of Lynn Dornink
Topics of Discussion:
Public comment:
Linda went to Winchester Multicultural network- "Signs In My Neighbors Yard"- how to get along with people
with contrary views to your own, many people there (around 90)
Follow up workshop "Building Community After the Elections"
Might be good thing to host down the road - maybe during world cafe
Linda spoke to a Reading resident who heard about HRAC from the Town Street Faire. He shared his concern
about gender bias among volunteers in a school. Massachusetts Association of Human Rights Commission
suggested going to the Brookline group. Brookline group divides protocol - separate protocol for town and
school as opposed to complaint in general. We need to be clear about our role. Linda followed up with phone
call.
Our hope is to give space to minority voice, similar things can happen. That's why we have time for community
input. Need to be consistent about what we record in minutes.
Upcoming subcommittee meeting on 1119116
Postpone meeting? Given failure of override and that Lynn can't come.
What are our goals? We wanted to brainstorm with Barry and Kevin how we can convince Selectmen to
become commission.
Felt like we made progress with Barry and Kevin at last meeting because Bill and Bob from Wakefield were
saying what they wanted to do. Kevin seemed more comfortable with our ideas after hearing from Bill and Bob.
What is next step?
More information would be good.
They posted survey on town website we have around 50 total surveys filled out.
Override and budget issues are here to stay. We shouldn't put it off indefinitely, because with fewer resources
we'll need more help getting along.
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Wakefield is thinking about planning a MILK celebration to get their name out. They have a website and
commissioners. Just published a letter in the newspaper about a bias issue—reporter used a stereotype in
their discussion. They've added a clergy member.
Heather and Seema will discuss whether they can meet. Lynn may not have time, so maybe open
subcommittee to new person (they don't need to be members).
We're asking Kevin and Barry felt more comfortable with what we wanted to do.
We're collecting endorsements from community organizations about whether they support our mission, to
supplement our survey.
MA Human Rights Commission suggested that's what we do.
Update on Senior video memoir project—less shared questions with Christine, she has questions and is
waiting for input, someone to film it. Catherine will email Senior center. Jess will email her. Heather will
check in next week. Set up a timeline.
MLK Celebration Discussion -
Official theme: 'Wirth liberty and justice for all'
List of tables in Main Street
Introductory letter written
Sharon Burke, library media specialist, happy to work on this, and interface with students.
We met with Clergy council they will do invocation – using excerpt from letter from a Birmingham jail.
METCO student choir- Leah will reach out to Jason if invite and video has been sent out to Friends of Boston,
invite 'children of Boston and their friends,' three rehearsals. Linda will get pizza.
One of our goals is to increase the reach of the audience, so with more kids more audience
Kyung- church music and slideshow
Paul C has been so helpful, thank you note is enough
Linda confirming with HS singers and Drama club.
Linda connected with Director of Outside engagement from International Institute of New England working with
refugees, to invite them
Jamele Allen will perform a family friendly spoken word piece– Lori will confirm
Linda speaking to Bagel world.
If community singers not singing we need to work hard to fill that part.
End on audience participation, we could end on a sing -along of'we shall overcome' we can ask students to
lead us.
We talked about liberty and justice for all --having a big poster with 'lady liberty and ladyjustice' with space for
people to write what liberlylustice means to me. Jess will draw poster/picture
Students will AWOD will help
Minutes approved Linda moved, Lori 2ntl, 5-0
Next meeting Tuesday December 6, 7:00
Festival of Trees, December V and e
AWOD and HRAC collaboretion--AWOD students take the lead- we help with funding
Last year we decided not to do a tree because we're secular. Last year, we decorated a sled. This year we
could do a snowman and have decorations with every person a special snowflake.
Twofold purpose- 1) support REF 2) get the word out
Heather moves to participate in festival of trees and to fund it, Lori 2"s, 5-0
Committee has wanted to do more outreach
Brainstorm ideas that we can do—to announce during MILK
Library program – Ruthie and Leah – librarians are excited.
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Really liked book discussion at library 'Walking up White' –discussions by students after summer reading was
mind-blowing- very hopeful.
World cafe idea- multicultural discussion
You could have a catalyst like improv, group
Huge event—when was last world cafe?
Collaborate with other boards?
Lori call Mrs Grimes – set up? outcome?
Does it have to be so large scale? We could host smaller one?
I like idea of smaller one- but need to get more people.
Got an email from Sharon Burke about diversity dinner, she hosted dinner for 12-15 people, she'd love to host
again. 2 possibilities 1 with METCO parents, 1
Next Thursday 11/10/16 7:30, several churches will do prayer meeting for unity at Old South Church.
Went to Islam explained at St Agnes- really cool that Catholic church hosted, a Muslim couple came who work
with Islamic center in Boston. Discussed basic tenets of Islam, second session about women and Muslim
culture. Big turnout 50-100 people.
At MA Association of Human Rights Commission had a dynamic speaker from ACLU. Importance of panels -to
bring people together BLM , someone challenged him about anti-Semitism because of his views on Israel.
Point of democracy is to talk about difference, build relationships that can handle disagreement. Have
community building to do.
Having a conversation would take really careful planning and framing
Lod motion to adjourn, vote 5-0 Heather 2n°'
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