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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 08/14/2003Human Relations Commission Minutes August 14, 2003, 5:30 — 7:30 p.m. www.fc2ov.com/cjyclerk/human-relatio_ns•PhP_ Council Liaison: David Roy Staff Liaison: Angelina Powell Phone V: 407-7393 _ Phone: 221-6525 Chairperson: Ken Gordon Phone: 217-6317 Vice Chairperson: Mary_ Gomez_ Phone: 491-3702 A regular meeting of the Human Relations Commission was held on August 14, 2003 in the CIC Room, 300 W. LaPorte Avenue. HRC Members present Kimberly Clouser, John Coleman, Mary Gomez, Ken Gordon, Jr., Rita Klepac, Parker Preble, Erik Rush HRC Members absent Elaine Boni /with notification HRC Members absent Christina Serrano /without notification Staff Members present Angelina Powell, Staff Liaison Call to Order. The meeting was officially called to order by Chair Ken Gordon, Jr. at 5:30 p.m. II. Approval of Minutes. Parker Preble made the motion to approve the minutes for the June 12, 2003 meeting as submitted. Rita Klepac seconded the motion. All voted in favor of accepting the minutes. III. Subcommittee Reports. Human Relations Award Subcommittee. Subcommittee Chair Kimberly Clouser reported she would like to begin work on the 2004 Human Relations Award the week after Labor Day. She'd like to meet monthly and begin processes such as securing a speaker sooner. She's also interested in making changes to the awards breakfast format. Ken Gordon and Rita Klepac have agreed to work on the subcommittee. Diversity Subcommittee The subcommittee met on both June 25`h and July 31 s` • There was a discussion of particulars as well as the work plan to generate the report on the comparative analysis of Fort Collins Board & Commission Diversity & Current Demographic information. There was an extended discussion of what the criteria within the report should include; i.e., ethnicity, gender, age, or a combination thereof. It was decided that the report ought to concentrate on ethnicity with breakdown according to gender. The Census and the Clerk's Office data both included these. The criteria might lead to a less reader -friendly report format if they were to delineate further. It was decided that commentary relative to the City's limited criteria for categorizing ethnicity (for example, as compared to the US Census format) should be included in the report. Human Relations Commission Page 2 • At an earlier subcommittee meeting a discussion was held examining whether the HRC should take action to further publicize events such as the CSU "Bridges to the Future" series held last year. Inasmuch as the HRC has begun to cultivate a relationship with local media, it was decided that DSC members would research upcoming events and report them to the HRC Chair. He would likely disseminate the information to the media or delegate others to do so. Coordinating a "Cultural Development Events" calendar with the Coloradoan was also suggested. • The subcommittee learned a PVH Employee (Diversity) Awareness Committee meets 2"d Wednesdays in Cafe A. Public attendance is not encouraged as patient information may be discussed. • "Face to Face" (associated with the City's Human Rights office) meets at Home State Bank. Commission members are planning to attend. • A KFRC public radio announcement was made about the HRC meeting on August 14. Police Subcommittee. No report. Executive Delegation Subcommittee: Met in June to consider agenda items for July/August agenda. IV. Liaison Reports Northern Colorado Multicultural Corp. Parker has spoken to both NCMCC Chair Keane Richardson and Vice Chair Michael Esters about joining us as guest speaker for the HRC's '1 September meeting. One or the other will attend. Eracism Film Series. The film and discussion series have been set. All films will be shown Sundays, 6:30 p.m., Senior Center, 1200 Raintree, Fort Collins. September 21, The Two Towns of Jasper with Dorothy Bland September 28, A provocative film that must remain nameless with Christina Eala October 12, Maryam with Mohammed Siddiqui October 19, When Cultures Collide with Ken Gordon, Jr. V. Old Business. HRC Brochure. Ken Gordon received limited feedback on HRC Brochure changes. There were questions relative to how a brochure would be used. Members Rita Klepac and Kimberly Clouser offered suggestions for distributing information via other avenues ... Face to Face (a diversity common interest group that meets regularly at Home State Bank and is associated with the Human Rights Office) or reverse 211. Kimberly offered to get more information relative to this new system (a clearing -house for individuals seeking community resources) being used by First Call and United Way. A team of three people (from among interested members Ken Gordon, Jack Coleman, Rita Klepac, Kimberly Clouser) will meet in the next 30-45 days to work on addressing the need to educate on the services provided by the HRC. Business Cards. Ken Gordon distributed business cards (with the reverse side in Spanish) to all HRC members. The cost of printing was donated by Ultimate Support. The Coloradoan. Ken Gordon spoke of a number of Soapbox articles related to progress being made in accepting diverse groups in our community. One article was written by Mayor Martinez... another by Chair Ken Gordon. Commitment/Attendance. Chair Ken Gordon's would like to recommend members commit a minimum of six hours to the commission (two hours for the regular monthly meeting and two Human Relations Commission Page 3 hours participating on two subcommittees.) All in attendance agreed it would require that much commitment to make progress on the work plan. There were concerns about the start times of some committee meetings. (Personal needs may require a start time later than 6 p.m.) Ken encouraged subcommittee members to identify the times that worked best for the current group. Institute for Healing Racism. Jack Coleman presented information on the dynamic of racism and more particularly the Institute for Healing Racism. He'd like the Commission to work to sponsor an institute in Fort Collins that would have a minimum cost of $1,000 with travel for one to $2000 and travel for 2 (2 times.) Commissioners had questions specifically about how the institute would work. Answers to those questions were not easily available from the institute without making a financial commitment. Jack suggested members research "Institute for Healing Racism" or "Nat (Nathan) Rutstein" on the internet. VI. New Business. Neighborhood walks. On designated Saturdays, Ken wanted Commissioners to consider walking neighborhoods. Their activity would include knocking on doors, providing HRC Commission business cards and educating residents on the services provided by the HRC. VII. Announcements some members are not consistently receiving emails. Some members email addresses have changed and other Commissioners may be using old email addresses. Ken asked members to send a message to Angelina providing the latest information —email and phone. She'll create and distribute an updated list. When received, if you have a frequent contact address book; please delete any old outdated information so you'll be using only current addresses. VIII. Adjournment. Kimberly Clouser made a motion to adjourn. Parker Preble seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. The next HRC meeting will be September 11, 2003, 5:30 p.m. in the CIC Room, 300 W. LaPorte Avenue. 130 0 Angelina Powell, Staff Liaison