HomeMy WebLinkAboutBHRCMinutes_2017_08_14Brookings Human Rights Commission Minutes
Monday, August 14, 2017
Room 300 Community Room, Brookings City & County Government Building
Attendance: Steve Bayer, chair; George Hamer, temporary recorder; Laura Renee Chandler;
Chandradhar Dwivedi; Penny Hauffe; Meagan Irvine-Miller (student representative): Shafiqur Rahman
(county representative); Shari Thornes, city clerk-staff; Nathan Ziegler, SDSU liaison.
Absent: Judy Karen; Lawrence Novotny, recorder; Maggie Owens, vice chair.
Chair Bayer called the meeting to order at 12:03pm.
A motion was made by Rahman, seconded by Hauffe, to adopt the agenda. All present voted yes;
motion carried.
A motion was made by Hauffe, seconded by Rahman, to approve the minutes of the July 10 meeting. All
present voted yes; motion carried.
Equity Lens:
Nathan Ziegler led a preliminary discussion about creating an equity lens based on work done at
Portland State and provided copies of their examples. SDSU is in the preliminary phase and will continue
to create a document for their use.
Ziegler stated that the basic idea is to trigger a conversation. The Human Rights Commission and other
interested parties can perform a streamlined version. Chair Bayer is in favor of creating the equity lens
and then presenting it to the City Council. For now, it will be an ongoing agenda item.
Updates/Reports:
a. 2017 Butler Human Rights Award – There was standing room only at the Mayor’s Awards
Reception. It was noted that the string trio was a little loud and made it hard to carry on a
conversation. In the future, the presenters need to meet prior to the event and a specific photo
site needs to be designatuted.
b. MLK 2018 Theme/Timeline – A motion was made by Hamer, seconded by Hauffe, to adopt the
poster theme “We may all have come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.” All
present voted yes; motion carried. A motion was made by Hauffe, seconded by Irvine-Miller, to
adopt the essay theme “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of
justice.” Discussion pursued regarding adding to the theme as it relates to current “alt-right”
events. All present voted yes; motion carried. A more formal statement will be drafted by
Chandler and Dwivedi. A motion was made by Hamer, seconded and amended by Dwivedi to
adopt the pilot rubric for the essay with the following point system: 1 – Fair, 2 – Good, 3 –
Excellent, and 4 – Outstanding. All present voted yes; motion carried.
c. Common Read – The committee is meeting on August 15 and everything is on track. The
panelists have all agreed to present. The next meeting will focus on organization and draft
questions.
d. Diversity Potluck – October 8th event, Nathan Zeigler will speak and promises to keep it to 15
minutes. The City Council will be invited at their September 26th meeting.
e. Brookings Inclusivity Team – The sign project is complete and there are still many in place in
Brookings. A draft fundraising letter was distributed to members.
f. MEI – Final documentation was submitted and staff is waiting for any additional documentation
requests. The current revised score is 68 and Brookings may be gaining additional points for
Inclusive Workplace and Diversity Training.
g. Brookings PFLAG (parents, family & friends of lesbians & gays) Chapter Kick-off Meeting -
September 28 at 6:30 pm, Brookings Public Library.
Announcements:
The first City/County Diversity Training was facilitated by Maggie Owens and well received by all.
Meeting adjourned at 1:11pm
Submitted by George Hamer