HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-01-30 ad Hoc - Human Rights Committee Minutes TOECIV E D
WNECLERK
Town of Reading R "cAntM�, MA
5 = Meeting Minutes ! �.
2128 SEP 22 AM H: 42
Board - committee - commission - Council:
Ad Hoc Human Rights Committee
Date: 2020-01-30 Time: 7:30 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Conference Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session
Purpose: General Business Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Anne Landry, Andrew Friedmann, Andrew Grimes, Patricia Calley, Linda
Snow Dockser
Members - Not Present:
None
Others Present:
Sherilla Lestrade, Deputy Chief David Clark, Josh Goldlust, Kyung Yu, Gina
McCormick, Monique Gnanaratnam, Christine Kelley
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde
Topics of Discussion:
Anne Landry called the meeting to order at 7:35pm.
Sharing Stories
Mr. Goldlust commented on the positive feedback from Town members on the annual MILK
event held last week. Ms. Landry thanked him and the Human Rights Advisory Committee
for organizing the event. Dr. Dockser noted that it would be nice to attract a more diverse
population to future events. Ms. Lestrade stated that it is unfortunate that not every
company gives employees the day off for the MILK holiday, and people who may find the
event most relevant often have to work and are unable to attend. Mr. Friedmann suggested
that the next board may want to initiate a letter writing campaign to companies in Town
who do not offer the MILK holiday.
Dr. Dockser shared a story of a woman in 1930s Germany who was riding a bus when the
SS boarded and demanded to see everyone's papers. The woman began to sweat and cry,
when the gentleman seated next to her asked what was wrong. She replied that she did
not have papers. The gentleman then proceeded to berate her for not having her papers.
When the SS asked what was wrong the gentleman said that his wife forgot her papers, and
they should just take her away. The SS responded by saying that was his problem and left
the woman alone. Dr. Dockser noted that this type of empowerment among people to help
a stranger facing discrimination is important and what the Committee should encourage the
Reading community to do.
Dr. Dockser also referred to a recent incident of racist graffiti at Emerson College. The
College administration responded by condemning the acts, offering resources to those
affected, and calling on the community to come together.
Bylaw Committee Reauest for Feedback
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The Bylaw Committee sent a questionnaire to Boards, Committees, and Commissions
seeking feedback on whether or not to allow non-residents to serve on Town BCCs. The
Committee discussed the need and relevance for non-residents to serve on this and future
BCCs that have a similar human rights related mission. Specific examples include: having a
METCO parent on the board, as having a child who attends Reading Schools connects them
to the community; a School or Town employee whose job may involve addressing human
rights issues (e.g. School leadership, Police); clergy members who lead a church, but do not
live in Town, or may not have a center in Town but have Reading residents who attend their
houses of worship; business or property owners who do not live in Town, but who help the
community flourish and whose livelihood depend on the Reading community; organization
members, such as Rotarians and Chamber of Commerce members who may not live in
Town, but are instrumental in fundraising and coordinating events in Town.
Structure for New Committee
Ms. Landry noted that following the last meeting, most of the group favored structure
"option B," as it would allow for non-residents to serve on the future committee without the
need for a bylaw change, and to operate without being subject to Open Meeting Law, thus
providing a safe space for anyone seeking help. The future committee structure would be
modeled after the newly revamped Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support (formerly
RCASA) with an Executive Director who is responsible for appointing advisory members to
the committee. The Executive Director and committee would be added to the organization
structure and budget for the Library, as the Library seems to be the most logical space and
resource for the mission, but would be a resource for all town and school departments and
community members. Upon Select Board approval of the new committee, and until an
Executive Director can be hired, an interim committee comprised of members from this ad
hoc Committee, members of the existing Human Rights Advisory Committee, and other
community members as the Library Director sees fit, would be created to continue to refine
the group's mission and structure, prepare a detailed job description for the Executive
Director, and oversee the hiring process.
The Committee then discussed the name of the new committee and came to a consensus on
calling it the Reading Alliance for Equity and Social Justice.
On a motion by Ms. Landry, seconded by Mr. Friedmann, the ad hoc Human Rights
Committee approved presenting the proposed Reading Alliance for Equity and
Social Justice mission and structure to the Select Board by a vote of 5-0.
MA Human Rights Coalition Invitation
Dr. Dockser stated that the Massachusetts Human Rights Coalition offered to hold one of
their upcoming meetings in Reading. The Coalition can also offer recommendations on the
proposed mission and structure of the Human Rights Board that this ad hoc is trying to
create.
On a motion by Dr. Dockser, seconded by Ms. Landry, the ad hoc Human Rights
Committee voted to approve Dr. Dockser to work with the Massachusetts Human
Rights Coalition to schedule and host a meeting in Reading by a vote of 5-0.
On a motion by Ms. Landry, seconded by Mr. Friedmann, the ad hoc Human Rights
Committee voted to accept the meeting minutes as presented from August 20,
2019, October 21, 2019, and November 26, 2019 by a vote of 5-0.
On a motion by Mr. Friedmann, seconded by Ms. Landry, the ad hoc Human Rights
Committee voted to adjourn by a vote of 5-0 at 10:06pm.
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