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Brookings Human Rights Commission Notes
Friday, October 11, 2019
Conference Room 241, Brookings City & County Government Building
Attendance: Hanna Holmquist (chair); Meagan Irvine-Miller (vice chair); Lawrence Novotny, (recorder); Kati
Hanson; Penny Hauffe; Jason Meusburger; Wren Murphy (student representative); Matt Rhodes (county
representative); Erinn Thomas; Casey Bell (city human resources technician – staff liaison); Marci Gebers (police
liaison); Kas Williams (SDSU liaison);
Absent: Marilyn Hildreth; Susan Rotert (city human resources director – staff liaison);
Guests: Mikaela Neubauer, Brookings Library community services coordinator; Sadie Anderson, SDSU student;
Kenzie Hennen, SDSU student
Chair Holmquist called the meeting to order at 12:01 pm.
Rhodes moved, Mller seconded, to adopt the agenda. Motion passed.
Meusburger moved, Murphy seconded, to approve the minutes of the August 22 and August 26 meetings. Motion
passed.
The September 12 meeting did not occur due to lack of quorum.
Liaison reports
Williams reported that the Board of Regents meet at Dakota State University in Madison on October 2. Various
campus presidents and campus diversity officers (Williams included) presented on the importance of diversity
work on the campuses. The BOR also invited various state business leaders and human resource professionals to
discuss the importance of having a diversified workforce and how higher education and the workforce intersect.
Williams also reported that SDSU Native American students will participate in the first ever Native American
Day parade in Sioux Falls on October 14.
Gebers reported that she met with Brookings PFLAG during their monthly meeting on September 24 and
discussed her role as a LGBTQ liaison.
EC/Staff Reports:
Holmquist reported that she was part of a campus group that engaged in a phone interview with the Bush
Foundation regarding SDSU’s grant proposal. Holmquist had a conversation as to how the BHRC would help
coordinate activities in the community around discussions on diversity.
Rhodes reported that he met with the Brookings High School PTA (only 5 people attended). The teachers want to
do a large diversity event in November. Rhodes has been invited to classes to talk about BHRC.
Film Screening
Rhodes stated that a Brookings police officer has scheduled the free screening of a film (Brain, Heart, Soul) that
deals with fighting the new drug – pornography – on October 19 at Brookings Cinema 8. There will be a guest
speaker after the film. The film is intended for middle school thru adult age. Rhodes was wondering if BHRC
would be interested in supporting the film by helping with paying for advertising.
Murphy did a quick internet search and reported that LGBTQ therapy organizations have concerns with facts
being presented in the film.
It was decided that since BHRC was not involved upfront in planning the film screening, we would not financially
help with advertising. We can promote the film via our Facebook page.
Community Common Read:
Over 200 people (a mix of community and students) attended the showing of the film Screenagers on the evening
of September 19 at Brookings Cinema 8. Around 50 people had to be turned away because the theatre was full.
However, only about 15 people remained for discussion after the film showing. The theatre is willing to
cooperate with us on future screenings especially if the screening event occurs during the daytime instead of the
evening.
Diversity Potluck
The program will be having the attendees engage in a diversity bingo whereby they will have to mingle and find
people who have an ethnic background that links to the various countries listed on their bingo card. The bingo
prizes will be the “You Are Our Neighbor” signs.
King Contest
Draft copies of the contest announcements were distributed. Bell will create a BHRC e -mail to receive
communications regarding the King contest. The BHRC e-mail will forward to Holmquist, Miller, Bell &
Rotert. Staff will send out an e-mail to the schools on December 01. Deadline for entry submissions is January
10 at noon. This will give BHRC the week of Jan 13 to do the judging. Winners will be notified starting on
January 21. The awards will be given at the City Council meeting on January 28. Poster contests will be
conducted amongst 4th and 5th grades only this year. Essay contest will be conducted in the Middle School and
High School.
Diversity Events
The high school is organizing a diversity event along with the middle school. High school teacher Dan Berg is
the main organizer. The event will consist of booths and displays dealing with various cultures and will have
speakers on human rights issues.
Thomas left at this point.
The Children’s Museum in cooperation with the SD World Affairs Council is hosting a diversity event for
children on November 21.
Both events need volunteers and we can promote them through our social media.
Miller left at this point.
Announcements
Neubauer reported that the Brookings Public Library is holding a speaker series on Native American issues during
November.
Murphy reported that she has been designated as a GLADD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) campus
ambassador. Murphy is working on an article dealing with LGBTQ human rights advocacy in rural areas.
Next meeting Scheduled for Thursday, November 14.
Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 1:07 pm
Submitted by Lawrence Novotny, recorder