HomeMy WebLinkAboutHRCMinutes_2020_02_18
Brookings Human Rights Commission Notes
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
Cooper Room, Brookings Public Library
Attendance: Meagan Irvine-Miller (chair); Matt Rhodes (county representative & vice-chair); Lawrence Novotny,
(recorder); Kati Hanson; Marilyn Hildreth; Hanna Holmquist; Jason Meusburger; Wren Murphy (student representative);
Erinn Thomas; Nancy Olson sitting in for Casey Bell (city human resources technician – staff liaison);
Absent: Marci Gebers (police liaison); Susan Rotert (city human resources director – staff liaison); Kas Williams (SDSU
liaison);
Chair Miller called the meeting to order at 12:01 pm.
Thomas moved, Meusburger seconded, to adopt the agenda with the addition of the high school diversity fair. Motion
passed.
Rhodes moved, Hanson seconded, to approve the minutes of the January 17 meeting. Motion passed
Liaison/EC/Staff Reports:
Penny Hauffe submitted her resignation from the BHRC due to time commitments. It was suggested that we need to
acknowledge her serving on the BHRC for 25+ years. We will look at presenting her a plaque during the next diversity
potluck.
Miller presented the awards to the winners of the MLK contest at the January 28 City Council meeting. One winner was
unable to attend. All of the essay winners read their essays.
Rhodes will be meeting with Becky Kuehl, the administrator of the SDSU Bush Diversity Enhancement Grant to discuss
BHRC’s role in the grant. One of the grant goals is to work with local employers to help them diversify their workforce.
Hildreth reported on Brookings Multi-Cultural Center social events.
100-125 attended the New Year’s Eve party
75 attended the Superbowl party. The televised half-time show was an embarrassment.
100 attended the valentine’s party
Legislative Updates:
The City of Brookings, Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce, Brookings Economic Development Corporation, and
Brookings School District issued a joint press release on February 11 opposing the anti-LGBTQ legislation. City officials
contacted leadership of BHRC about the press release.
Chair Miller submitted written testimony on behalf of BHRC to the respective legislative committees on these bills:
SB 70 – support drivers licenses exams being offered in Spanish (passed Senate)
SB 1057 – oppose prohibiting medical treatment for trans youth (passed House, killed in Senate committee)
HB 1167 – oppose requiring school counselors to notify parents about any issue a student discusses with the
counselor (killed in House)
SB 88 oppose requiring school counselors to notify parents when a student expresses gender dysphoria (tabled by
committee)
April Brooks Award
Becky Kuehl, SDSU’s women’s, gender and sexualities alliance coordinator, requested that the BHRC apply for the April
Brooks Ally Award that will be given by SDSU during women’s history month. Since the award deadline is this Friday,
it would have been very difficult to submit the application. We will consider applying next year.
High School Diversity Fair
The diversity fair which was originally planned for Fall 2019 is now February 29 from 4-7 pm. Rhodes will represent
BHRC at the fair. Our table will have info on: BHRC, youth & youth ally awards, MEI score. We will also have our
Welcome Neighbor signs and stickers.
What is the Identity/Focus of BHRC?
Rhodes asked how does the BHRC deal with issues as a cohesive group where we are composed of members who can
have differing opinions?
For the past year, BHRC has been focused on LGBTQ rights issues.
We need to expand our focus to other marginalized communities.
It was suggested to do bystander intervention training
Members proposed their goals
• Increase our visibility in the community
• Engage in a community partnership event every several months. The event can be sponsored by BHRC or we can
be part of another group’s event
• Have cultural conversations – create a safe space for groups to learn from one another
• More partnerships help increase our visibility
• Downtown with Sundown event for Latinx community
• Renters rights brochure update and information program for landlords about the changes
• Hold cultural awareness trainings for staff and community. Question: How does one get the intolerant to attend
trainings? How do we identify and reach out to people who need training?
Miller and Rhodes will narrow these goals down for presentation at the next meeting.
.
Next meeting Scheduled for Thursday, March 19.
Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 1:05 pm.
Submitted by Lawrence Novotny, recorder