HomeMy WebLinkAboutBHRCMinutes_2013_07_22Brookings Human Rights Committee
Monday, July 22, 2013 at Noon
Suite 230, Room 241 - Brookings City & County Government Center
(amended)
1. George Hamer called the meeting to order at 12:02. Present: George Hamer, Chandradhar
Dwivedi, Sam Jennings II, Hanna Larsen, Patty Bacon, Penny Hauffe, and Lawrence Novotny. Steve
Bayer, Shafiqur Rahman and Angela Hatton and were absent. Shari Thornes was also present.
2. Agenda - A motion was made by Novotny, seconded by Hauffe, to approve. All present voted yes;
motion carried.
3. Approval of June minutes – A motion was made by Novotny, seconded by Hauffe, to approve. All
present voted yes; motion carried.
4. Schedule next meeting date – Tuesday, August 20 at Noon.
5. Recognition of SDSU Wellness Center. Novotny suggested a certificate and an article in the
Collegian. Jennings will reach out to them on how much publicity they would like on the
recognition.
6. Community Common Read Promotion Strategy
a. Subcommittee report. Everyone agreed that Keith Corbett’s panel suggestions were good.
Keith Corbett has agreed to moderate the discussion. His suggestions included Darwin Tolzin
from the VFW who is working on a few more names. He is also working on a list of
Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom Veterans. He also thought two
great additions would be the possibility of a spouse (Rebecca Siemonsma) of a soldier who
was deployed and Major Rebecca Trygstad who has experienced the trauma from many
directions. Current panel suggestions are Lionel Tongued (Artillery in Vietnam), Terry Hill
(Helicopter pilot in Vietnam), Billy Jones, Dean Christie, Dale Wagner (all WWll), Bob Heesch
(Korea), Rebecca Siemonsma (spouse of a deployed soldier, Operation Iraqi Freedom), and
Rebecca Trygstad (currently a service member, spouse of deployed soldier and
Administrative Officer (she coordinates the deployments).
The Committee agreed the panel shouldn’t get bigger than 7. Hauffe will follow up with
Corbett. He is finding a nice balance for our wish list. Thornes recommended alternates for
each area if someone is absent.
b. Finalize events & schedule. The Committee will finalize details in August. The Committee
agreed to host a reception prior to the panel discussion.
As soon as panel is finalized, Thornes suggested a letter be sent thanking them and explaining
what to expect. Corbett is developing questions. Committee members were asked to think
about some questions for him to ask as well.
c. Finalize budget. Thornes needs to finalize the budget so the remainder can go to help cover
the cost of the speaker. A motion was made by Novotny, seconded by Dwivedi, to authorize up
to $1500 for advertising and refreshments. All present voted yes; motion carried.
7. Official comment on SD Board of Geographic Names. Novotny articulated that the Committee
would support whatever the Black community felt. Jennings mentioned finding out the intention of
the original namers of Negro creek, for example. Hauffe said the “Squaw” reference had been dealt
with and the names should have been changed. We want to urge them to address the fact that
these name changes have not taken place. It is open for public comment. Novotny will draft a
response for the Committee to submit as an official comment. Hauffe suggested that we reach out
to Chuck Woodard. Deadline is August 1.
A motion was made by Dwivedi, seconded by Bacon, to authorize Novotny to draft the Committee’s
response that articulated that we would support the use of “Negro” based on the Black
Community’s response. We also want noted that during our research on the issue, we found
several incidences of the use of “Squaw” and we urge the Board of Geographic Names to enforce
the changes in policy toward that name and address them. All present voted yes; motion carried.
8. Update on Annual Butler Human Rights Award Event. Planning meeting of chairs and vice chairs
is scheduled for Thursday. The location will be at the Camelot Intermediate School on Thursday
September 12. Time to be determined.
9. Update on Rental Housing Issues/Multi-Cultural Center . Hamer attempted to contact Steve
Hildebrand but has been unsuccessful thus far. He will reach out to Steve Erpenbach to get his
contact information.
10. Membership update. We’re waiting to learn when Hatton will be moving to Sioux Falls so Thornes
can advertise the opening.
11. Announcements/Correspondence/Calendar
• Budget Report (Enclosed)
• Aug 13 or 27CCR Presentation to City Council
• Sept 5 or 12 Combined Award Event
• Sept. 19th Students Veterans Panel
• Sept. 26th SDSU Film
• Oct. 20th Fall Diversity Potluck
• Oct. 24th Community Veterans Panel
• Nov. 13th Community Common Read / Author Presentation
12. August agenda items: Election Polling Site Location position statement
Lawrence articulated that it is of utmost importance that the polling sites be accessible. Some felt
that we should have a total separation of church and state and not use churches for polling places.
The consensus was that at some point we should develop an official opinion.
13. Dwivedi said he met with the Brookings Interfaith Dialogue folks and they wanted to play a role
with our committee. We will send them agenda’s etc. And we will encourage them to have one of
their members apply for the next vacancy on BHRC.
Meeting adjourned at 12:15 p.m.
Submitted by Patty Bacon