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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBHRCMinutes_2013_09_26Brookings Human Rights Committee Minutes Thursday, September 26, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Suite 230, Room 241 - Brookings City & County Government Center Attendance: George Hamer, Steve Bayer, Lawrence Novotny, Hanna Larsen, Shafiqur Rahman and Chandradhar Dwivedi. Absent: Sam Jennings, Penny Hauffe and Patty Bacon. Staff: Shari Thornes 1. Hamer called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. 2. Agenda. Cosponsorship of the “Laramie Inside Out” film was added to the agenda. A motion was made by Bayer, seconded by Rahman, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried. 3. Minutes. A motion was made by Novotny, seconded by Larsen, to approve the August minutes. Motion carried. 4. Schedule future meetings. Quarterly meeting – October 2nd @ 5:00 p.m. 5. Co-sponsorship of “Not My Life” film. South Dakota World Affairs Council is screening a movie “Not My Life” which depicts the cruel and dehumanizing practices of global human trafficking and modern slavery on October 17, 2013 at 6.30 AM at McCrory Garden Education and Visitors Center in Brookings, SD, followed by a panel discussion on local relevance. A motion was made by Dwivedi, seconded by Novotny, to cosponsor the event. No funding commitment is involved. All present voted yes; motion carried. 6. Co-sponsorship of “Laramie Inside Out” Film. On Tuesday, October 22, the Common Good Film Series will screen Laramie Inside Out. The film will be shown at 6:30 p.m. at the Brookings Public Library followed by a Skype discussion with the filmmaker. Admission is free. Freewill donations will be welcomed, to help pay licensing fees and other expenses. October 12th 2013 marks the 15th anniversary of the death of 21-year old University of Wyoming college student Matthew Shepard, a tragic loss that continues to inspire our struggle to create a more just world. The horror of Matthew's murder pushed Laramie into the media spotlight and sparked a nationwide debate about homophobia, gay- bashing and hate crimes that continues to this day. In the award-winning documentary Laramie Inside Out, filmmaker Beverly Seckinger returns to her hometown in the aftermath of Matthew's attack to investigate how it has affected the site of her own closeted adolescence. Along the way she meets "God-hates- fags" Westboro Baptist Church Reverend Fred Phelps, who condemns Shepard to an eternal hell. But Seckinger meets many more—parents, teachers, clergy and students— speaking out and taking action in support of an inclusive and loving community. Laramie Inside Out is being co-sponsored by the SDSU Office of Diversity, Equity, and Community and the SDSU Gay-Straight Alliance. A motion was made by Bayer, seconded by Rahman, to co-sponsor the film. No funds will be involved. All present voted yes; motion carried. Novonty will provide the draft press release. 7. Campus-Community Common Read a. Community Veterans Panel – The Committee will discuss this in greater detail at the October 2nd meeting. Panelists need to be contacted to reconfirm and be provided with questions ahead of time. b. Reception – A brief reception will be held outside the Chambers at 6:30 p.m. prior to the event. Thornes will make the arrangements. c. Finalize Marketing/Promotion Plan & Schedule: • Invitations will be sent by email through Mail Chimp • Radio Program – Bacon & Hamer • Public Service Announcement – Hamer & Hansen • Press Release – Hamer will write the press release. • Newspaper Columns – Bacon is contacting Cecil and Hamer is contacting Landau. • Purchased Advertising – Thornes will schedule all purchased advertising to include the Shopper, Register and Collegian. • Email Mailing Lists – Thornes will email out HRC email groups. • Website/Govt Channel/Social Media – Thornes will schedule content. 8. Report on State Board of Geographic Names Public Hearing. Novotny attended the public hearing. The Board heard two recommendations, but did not take action. An additional hearing is scheduled in October in Sioux Falls. 9. Fall Diversity Potluck. The Committee reviewed the potluck checklist and made assignments. 10. Wrap-up report on Annual Butler Human Rights Award Event. The Committee reviewed the draft evaluation report. It was noted that past award winners should have been recognized. Phyllis Cole-Dai, BHRC honoree, gave a wonderful presentation. The event was very successful with over 120 in attendance. There was consensus to continue with the combined award format. 11. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Award Program. The Committee reviewed the award checklist and discussed potential themes. A motion was made by Bayer, seconded by Dwivedi, to make this year’s essay theme in a letter format to Dr. King outlining today’s issues 50 years after his speech. All present voted yes; motion carried. The remaining decisions on themes, schedule, etc. will be made at the October 2nd planning meeting. 12. Announcements/Correspondence/Calendar a. Membership update – No report. b. Budget Report • Sept. 26th SDSU Film • Oct. 20th Fall Diversity Potluck • Oct. 24th Community Veterans Panel • Nov. 13th Community Common Read / Author Presentation 13. Tentative October Agenda Items: Election Polling Site Location position statement, Human Rights Campaign Foundation Municipal Equality Index Scorecard (Summary, Preliminary identification of issues, Schedule Conference Call with HR Campaign Legislative Counsel), Dr. Martin Luther King Day Decisions, Update on Rental Housing Issues/Multi-Cultural Center, Community Common Read – Author Event Meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m. Submitted by Shari Thornes