HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-03-03 Human Relations Advisory Committee MinutesCU(
HUMAN RELATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES. 11
is 08
March 3, 2005 7:30PM at Police Station First Floor Co mty oom
Present: Margaret Soli, Chair, C. McDonald, Elaine Webb and P. Kelley members.
The minutes for Sept. 2, 2004, Nov. 4, 2004 and Feb. 3, 2005 were reviewed and
approved.
There was a discussion about the METCO update at the last meeting of Feb.3 All agreed
it was a good presentation and the question was raised whether the taping of the meeting or an
edited version was to be shown on RCTV. C. McDonald will inquire. The Chair noted that
METCO Lobby Day was scheduled for March 15 and stated she intended to attend. Ms. Webb
was not sure if her schedule would allow it. C. McDonald will not and P. Kelley had not made a
decision on the issue.
The members reviewed progress on the Anytown program. Margaret Soli had spoken
with a student from Stoneham who spoke most highly about it. She had also approached Rotary
and understands from John Douglas that Rotary had voted to donate $500 to support scholarship
for two youths. The program is offered to Sophomores and Juniors. We discussed whether Nancy
Namji might be able to ascertain students who would be interested, what were the groups at the
high school which existed and should be contacted and who were the faculty contacts - such as
the Unity group, a Diversity group, the Gay Straight Alliance and the Amnesty International
group. Elaine Webb agreed to attempt to make this determination. P. Kelley suggested that it
would be good for the committee to be in contact with these groups and their moderators and that
possibly the Committee could invite some interested students to become associate members of the
committee. It was also suggested that consideration should be given to bring the program to the
\ attention of the clergy through the Clergy Association so they might propose it to their respective
youth groups. The matter will be further reviewed at the next meeting.
Paul Kelley mentioned a series of video clips provided to him by the PBS program
Religion and Ethics Weekly. These clips on various subjects were short presentation of an issue
from the TV program accompanied by a guide for discussion by a group. For example, there
were several on Islam and Democracy and also on gay marriage. These can be used to promote a
dialogue such as the earlier town wide dialogue conducted by the Department of Justice several
years ago and might be a resource to conduct a public meeting of the Committee. It was agreed to
view an example at the next meeting of a subsequent one as time permits.
After noting that the town election was on April 5 and the next meeting on April 7, it was
voted to adjourn at approximately 9:OOPM.
Respectfully submitted,
Paul A. Kelley, Secretary