HomeMy WebLinkAboutBHRCMinutes_2014_05_21Brookings Human Rights Committee Minutes
Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at 12:00 p.m.
Suite 230, Room 241- Brookings City & County Government Center
Attendance: George Hamer, Penny Hauffe, Chandradhar Dwivedi, Shafiqur Rahman, Hanna
Larsen, Patty Bacon, Judy Karen, Lawrence Novotny and Sam Jennings. Absent: Steve Bayer.
Also present: SDSU Liaison substitute Nicki Viso and City Staff Shari Thornes.
Hamer called the meeting to order at 12:02 pm. A motion was made by Dwivedi, seconded by
Jennings, to approve. Motion carried. A motion was made by Rahman, seconded by Dwivedi, to
approve the March 6, 2014 and April 23, 2014 minutes. Motion carried.
Schedule next meeting date. June 12, 2014 at 12:00 pm.
I, TOO, AM SDSTATE.
Novotny reported he and Hauffe attended the May 13, 2014 City Council Meeting where Semehar
Ghbrekidan’s presented on I, Too, Am SD State. The Human Rights Committee discussed hanging
the posters at the Diversity Potluck, downtown, Library and the Children’s Museum. Thornes
suggested posting digital images on the city website. Ghbrekian will likely extend the campaign
into the fall semester, and the Human Rights Committee agreed to support the project.
Annual Butler Human Rights Award Selection.
Novotny proposed names of two possible candidates. A decision will be made at the June meeting
with the reception in September.
Welcoming Campaign for New Residents in Brookings.
Hauffe and Novotny volunteered to be on the subcommittee. Bacon is coordinating a meeting on
the Renters’ Rights & Responsibilities update before the June meeting.
2014 Community-Campus Common Read.
The Human Rights Committee will partner with the Sustainability Council on the Community-
Campus Common Read. The committee discussed the Community Gardens, childhood obesity and
sustainability. Novotny added that the subject of one of the Common Good Films this fall is food.
$2,500 from the budget has been set aside for the Community-Campus Common Read. Hauffe,
Bacon and Larsen are on the subcommittee. Laurie Carruthers will coordinate a subcommittee
meeting with the Sustainability Council subcommittee members.
Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index Scorecard.
The subcommittee needs to meet with the City of Brookings Human Resources Director. The City
Attorney will be invited to the June meeting. Novotny commented that the FBI director has
enforced more tracking of hate crimes. Hauffe is coordinating a meeting with the Police
Department for more training on hate crimes.
Volunteer Coffee with Mayor.
Hauffe and Hamer attended the Volunteer Coffee with the Mayor. The Mayor advised on the 6th
Street DOT project that the City declined to take back 6th Street. Hauffe and Hamer reported to
the group the Human Rights Committee is working on the Common Read.
Fall Diversity Potluck – October 19, 2014 from 5-7 pm at the McCrory Gardens Education and
Visitors Center.
Jennings met with Joey from Aramark on the sustainability efforts. Aramark does not compost,
but suggested using a low cost option of china for the Diversity Potluck or purchasing compostable
products for the service ware. Jennings will obtain the costs. Dwivedi suggested someone pick
up the compostable items. Dwivedi and Rahman are working on the speaker for the Diversity
Potluck.
Since the Diversity Potluck is the most expensive event of the year, the Human Rights
Committee needs be congnizant of the expenses within their promotions. Larsen will cross
promote through the Common Read advertising. The Human Rights Committee discussed the
option of having the event once a year due to the expenses.
Announcements/Correspondence/Calendar:
• October 19th – Fall Diversity Potluck
Adjourn. A motion was made by Dwivedi, seconded by Novotny, to adjourn. All present voted
yes; motion carried. Meeting adjourned 1:04 p.m.
Submitted by Patty Bacon.