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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBHRCMinutes_2008_12_15Brookings Human Rights Committee Minutes of the Meeting of December 15, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. City Hall, 311 Third Avenue Present: Madeleine Andrawis, Steve Bayer, George Hamer, Penny Hauffe, Kelley Tilman, Jay Vargas, and Shari Thornes Also Present: Al Branum, Matthew Leibel and Chuck Woodard Not Present: Ann Marie Bahr, Geoffrey Grant and Tricia Wek-Visker ______________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order: 4:03 p.m. 2. Adoption of the Agenda was so moved by Madeleine Andrawis, seconded by Kelley Tilman and approved by voice vote. 3. Approval of the November minutes was so moved by Kelley Tilman, seconded by Penny Hauffe and approved by voice vote. 4. Schedule meeting dates: January 12, 2009 from 11am to 1pm 5. Discussion regarding Committee and community involvement in a SDSU Campus AmeriCorps *VISTAs “Day of Service” event planned for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Guest Matthew Leibel) Mr. Leibel informed the committee about a “large day of service” on MLK Day. The day will consist of several small projects for volunteers to help with and completed by January 19th. He added they are currently in the early planning phase and asking for volunteers to help out on that day. Mr. Leibel and Dr. Branum mentioned the hours are usually from 9am to 6pm. He mentioned that he is forming a student planning committee and gaining interest from the community-at-large. Mr. Leibel told the BHRC is they would be interested in volunteering their time to the event. Mr. Leibel added that he would like to add committee members as volunteers with local participants from the community. He mentioned that this is a nationwide day of service project. All ages are welcomed. He concluded by mentioning that projects ranged from painting, general cleanup, and projects that non-for-profit organizations do not have the manpower to do and be completed in one day. Steve Bayer mentioned that we will need more specifics on time and projects; Shari Thornes added that information will be forwarded to the city council. 6. Discussion regarding community education on American Indian issues/culture/history and specifically concerns regarding Native American Day (Guest Chuck Woodard): points 6-8 are talked about jointly during the meeting. Go to school district and inform them of the importance of Native American Day and change for 2009-2010 calendar year. Madeleine Andrawis made a suggestion about the possibility of sponsoring a k-12 contest around the Native American day to increase awareness in the community as part of the committee's commitment to educating the community. This event could be modeled after the MLK context that the committee has been offering for years. 7. Spring Human Rights Forum (20th Anniversary of Reconciliation): Dr. Woodard mentioned that he would be willing to help the committee in organizing a Native American Day celebration (similar to Diversity Potluck venue) to commemorate the 20th anniversary of reconciliation. Develop a forum with speakers, press releases to bring about change regarding the mentioning of Columbus Day instead of Native American Day. This was brought to committee due to press releases in the Brookings Register and local school districts mentioning an in-service day as Columbus Day. It was mentioned that the public must be educated regarding this day. In addition, explain to the Brookings community about what happened on Native American Day 2008. 8. Human Rights Award Winner Arrangements: Dr. Woodard was informed by Steve Bayer he is the recipient of the FO Butler Human Rights Award winner. Dr. Woodard was informed for him to provide a date and time for the awards ceremony in spring 2009 from January to March. He was told to give committee names and addresses of individuals he would like to attend the ceremony. A press release will be forwarded by Shari Thornes and invitations will be mailed out once a date is confirmed. 9. Update on Dr. Martin Luther King Day Contest Project: a. distribution of materials to schools b. judging c. poster display: need a place—possible venues are Coffee House, Cottonwood, and the Lodge. Penny Hauffe told committee she will be chair of subcommittee to obtain and secure a place for the posters. d. Presentation: January 27, 2009 at the city council meeting. Steve Bayer informed committee members to be there if they could to make our presence for support to the winners. It was also mentioned that the mayor agreed to make a proclamation on January 27, 2009 as Geoffrey Grant Day. 10. Annual Report to City Council: due on February 2009. Steve Bayer will work on the report and submit to Shari Thornes to review prior to going to city council. 11. Report from Nomination Committee: no nominations were submitted and previous officers were asked whether they wanted to be re-nominated for their current positions. 12. Election of Officers (Chair, Vice-chair, Secretary) Chair: Steve Bayer Vice chair: George Hamer Secretary: Jay Vargas 13. Membership Update: Three new members will join committee on January 1, 2009. 14. Upcoming Events Calendar and Announcements: January 9th 5:00pm Deadline to submit MLK entries January 12th 11:00am HRC January meeting (2 hours judging) January 13th I install posters January 19th Dr. Martin Luther King Day January 6:00pm City Council Meeting-presentation of awards 15. Future Agenda Items: update from school district on diversity, invite Boys & Girls Club Representative, 2008 Annual Report, MLK Day, Spring Forum, Human Rights Award, Potluck 16. Adjournment: 5:08 Submitted by Jay Vargas, Secretary for the Brookings Human Rights Committee. If your require assistance, alternative formats, and/or accessible locations consistent with the American with Disabilities Act, please contact Shari Thornes, City ADA Coordinator, at 692-6281 at least 3 working days prior to the meeting.