HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-08-18 ad Hoc - Human Rights Committee Minutes rtrCclVcU
A,t!
Town of Reading roCLERK
g Meeting Minutes
xrm
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Ad Hoc Human Rights Committee
Date: 2020-08-18 Time: 7:30 PM
Building: Location:
Address: Session: Open Session
Purpose: Public Meeting Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Anne Landry, Carlo Bacci, Andrew Grimes, Shawn Brandt, John Parks
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Bob LeLacheur, Sherilla Lestrade, Amy Lannon, Kern Perry, Pat Calley,
Monique Pillow Gnanarantam, Kyung Yu, Linda Snow Dockser, Josh Goldlust,
Chris Kelley, Gina McCormick
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting was held remotely via Zoom.
Anne Landry called the meeting to order at 7:34 pm.
Sharina Stories:
Sherilla Lestrade announced an event coming up this Friday where students of color will be
sharing their art and poetry on the Town Common. She encouraged everyone from the
group to attend and support them.
Proposal and FAD
Ms. Landry reviewed the draft proposal and FAQs that she worked on with Mr. Bacci and Ms.
Lannon. The proposed structure is a 14-person Advisory Board with a few parameters for
flexibility. The group discussed whether to name it an "advisory board"or an "advisory
action board." They agreed that there is no harm in having "action" in the name, though
roles and expectations will be made clear during the application and interview process. The
consensus on the size of the Board is between eight and fourteen members, depending on
whether the Library Director and Executive Director are comfortable with the groups
represented, and there are enough members with time to volunteer.
The group discussed the draft of the job description. Ms. Lannon will work on the job duties
and requirements with Sean Donahue, the Human Resources Director. Mr. LeLacheur and
Ms. Kelley will work with Mr. Donahue on a plan to recruit for the position. The goal is to
include the Executive Director position in the Library Budget for April Town Meeting.
Communications and an advocacy campaign will be needed to educate Town Meeting
members and residents to help get it passed.
Grants were discussed to help with funding. Mr. LeLacheur advised that the director
position should not be funded with grants, rather grants should be sought and used to
Page 1 1
support programs. Ms. Kelly noted that she and her team have been researching grants,
but there are currently no federal grants available for this type of initiative.
Next Steps:
The ad hoc Human Rights Committee will attend the next meeting of the Board of Library
Trustees on September 14'h to present the updated proposal, FAQs, and draft job
description.
Minutes:
On a motion by Mr. Brandt, and seconded by Mr. Parks, the ad hoc Human Rights
Committee voted to approve the meeting minutes of July 20, 2020 by a roll call
vote of 5-0-0.
On a motion by Mr. Parks, and seconded by Mr. Brandt, the ad hoc Human Rights
Committee voted to adjourn by roll call vote of 5-0-0.
Meeting adjourned at 9:15 pm.
Page 1 2