HomeMy WebLinkAboutBHRCMinutes_2009_10_22Brookings Human Rights Committee
Minutes of the Meeting of October 22, 2009 at 12:00 p.m.
City Hall, 311 Third Avenue
Present: Ann Marie Bahr, Steve Bayer, Dwivedi Chandradhar, (new member), George
Hamer, Penny Hauffe, Lawrence Novotny, Jay Vargas and Shari Thornes
Not Present: Angela Hatton, Ryan Howlett, and Ashley Kuecker
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1. Call to Order: 12:13 p.m.
2. Welcome new member: Steve Bayer introduced our newest member, Dwivedi
Chandradhar.
3. Adoption of the Agenda was so moved by Anne Marie Bahr, seconded by Penny
Hauffe and approved by voice vote.
4. Approval of the September minutes was moved by Lawrence Novotny, seconded
by seconded by Dwivedi Chandradhar and approved by voice vote.
5. Schedule next meeting: November 19, 2009 at 11:00 am.
Emergency meeting on November 5, 2009 at 12:30 pm.
New Business:
6. Review and action on proposed Equal Employment Opportunity Policy for the
City of Brookings: Due to different language on EEOC 2.0 and
Nondiscrimination2.1, a motion was moved by Lawrence Novotny and seconded by
George Hamer to move forward and make the changes to be consistent with Charter.
7. Dr. Martin Luther King Day Theme Selection: Two themes: one for poster contest
(“I have a dream”) and one for the essay (“The time is always right to do the right
thing”). A motion was moved by Dwivedi Chandradhar to accept the themes, seconded
by George Hamer and approved by voice vote. A liaison to the schools would be good
to get teachers on-board (English teachers to push the essay). Get the flyer for the
contest by November before Thanksgiving break to the teachers at both elementary and
high school. For the essay, a due date of January 8, 2010 has been established and sent
to committee members via email. Let the teachers submit the top three essays to
committee. Ann Marie Bahr was going to get in contact with the library and George
Hamer was going to get in contact with the coffee shops.
8. 2009 Butler Award: a deadline for nominations was set for October 30, 2009, with an
emergency meeting of the HRC on November 5, 2009 at 12:30pm. Lawrence Novotny
made a motion to nominate Jeffrey Grant. Committee is pending selection until date for
nominations has expired.
Updates and Final Reports
9. October 11th Diversity Potluck Wrap-up: about 80 attendees. A suggestion was
made to possibly change the date since this fall is occurred during a three day weekend
(students probably went home). New names were added to the email list. It was
recommended that committee keep April and October as the months for the events.
10. Presentation to Brookings School District Wrap-up: was very well received by the
school district. Teachers took with them possible ideas to implement into their class
curriculum. It was suggested to have an in-service during the calendar year, prior to
students on campus, so teachers can include aspects of this holiday during and leading to
Native American Day. Committee was informed the School Superintendent attended
the presentation. **late summer agenda item**
11. Proposed Ordinance Amendments—City Council Action Scheduled 10/27:
attend the meeting, slated for 6:00pm, if possible, in case there is opposition to the
amendments.
12. Community wide event/one book idea: Librarian and Dean are supportive of the
idea. Goals are consistent with engaging the students and community. It is feasible
this school year due to the book already in use; Steve Bayer told committee is would
be good for committee to “tag along” with SDSU Tim Nichols and support what
SDSU is currently doing with this topic.
13. Upcoming Events Calendar and Announcements:
Steve Bayer informed committee members that Ryan Howlett is resigning from the
committee due in part to him and his family moving to Sioux Falls.
October 27th: City Volunteer Luncheon—Noon-Swiftel Center
October 27th: Brookings City Council-Public Hearing-6 pm.
December 1st: Mayor’s Christmas Party: 5-7pm-SDSU Performing Arts Center
December? Butler Award Presentation
January 8, 2010: MLK Entry Deadline
January 12, 2010: Human Rights Meeting-Judging Entries
January 18, 2010: MLK Day
January 26, 2010: City Council Meeting-MLK Award Winners
June to August 2010: Native American Day (2010-2011 school year)
14. Adjournment was voiced at 1:21 pm.
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.