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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 02/13/2020Minutes Human Relations Commission Regular Meeting / Annual Planning Retreat February 13, 2020, 5:30-8:00 pm CIC Room, City Hall, 300 LaPorte Ave., Fort Collins, CO Call to Order ● Meeting was called to order by Chairperson Julia Mackewich at 5:30 Roll Call ● Present: Eva Amason, Beth Jaeger, Julia Mackewich, Jean Runyon, Vic Smith, Wendy True, Phil Walker ● Absent: Cindy Davis ● Staff present: Carol Thomas, Equal Opportunity & Compliance Manager, HRC liaison ● Observer: Kia Felix, HRC applicant Agenda Review ● Agenda items reviewed. Motion to accept 2/13/2020 agenda made by Wendy. Second by Vic. Vote to approve 7-0. Approval of Minutes ● Addition of appropriate names of individuals who approved and seconded minutes & agenda. Minor change by Carol Thomas regarding Office of Social Sustainability: from “grant money” to “budget offer.” ● Motion to approve 1/9/2020 minutes made by Wendy True, second by Phil Walker. Vote 7-0. Public Presentation ● Mandy, United Way Mental Health Board (UW) presented. 1. Proposal for HRC to partner with UW/Summitstone Health Partners in presenting educational symposium to groups about mental health/ substance abuse issues. 2. Targeted groups would include non-profits on UW mailing list, CSU students, families w/ relevant needs, possibly wider community. 3. Partnering w/HRC (with possible cash outlay from us if budget allowed) could widen scope of training. ● Carol specified any cash dispersal to UW would need City approval. ● Discussion of what our participation would entail—HRC-specific presentation or monetary? ● Next steps: UW will contact panelists in June/July. Needs decision from HRC then about our participation. Approval of Annual Report ● Motion to approve 2019 Annual Report made by Vic Smith. Second by Wendy True. Vote 7-0. New Business What improvements can we make this year? ● Beth asked if performance goals were set last year. How did we measure accomplishments? Julia explained that we worked from very broad goal statements. Educational Outreach Transforming White Privilege ● HRC purchased Transforming White Privilege (TWP), the educational component to Cracking the Code. It (TWP) can be used for public presentation. ● Janet Freeman, from Social Sustainability Department, is collaborating with Carol on the possibility of an internal TWP presentation/workshop. ● Wendy suggests targeting people of leadership positions in community to preview TWP & then take to their groups. ● Possibility of use of block party concept with City backing to disseminate TWP. ● Jean suggests invite-only for first offering of TWP. ● Advertising/publicity for TWP goes through Carol. ● Carol will resend TWP curriculum to HRC members who will familiarize themselves w/it. Principles of Community ● Carol, Honore DePew and Sierra Anderson have begun conversation about Principles of Community (POC). They have contacted city of Columbia, MO, whose community members have instituted (POC) there. ● Jean Runyon suggests an educational event combining TWP, POC, with Longest Table. ● Vic proposes POC could be created by the people who LIVE here and they could present/teach to City. Cracking the Code ● We will consider presenting Cracking the Code to City employees, boards, and commissions if our scheduling allows. ● Phil Walker will contact Tony Goggins about facilitating. ● Vic Smith will contact Janet Freeman to discuss partnering with Social Sustainability in presenting this w/ cc to Carol. Partnering with UW ● We need specifics on how Mandy’s proposal aligns with HRC’s equity/inclusion mission. Outreach to Public Schools ● Beth Jaeger asks how we can support the schools in equity education. Vic Smith will contact John McKay and invite him to present relevant information to HRC on this topic. Equity/Inclusion materials for libraries ● Wendy True reminded group about using budget surplus; suggested using it for relevant publications to be donated to libraries. We will discuss this later in the fiscal year. Media/Community Recognition ● Need new pamphlets w /new logos, new banner. City media/graphics team can do pamphlets. We are to partner with them. ● Re: HRC awards, some city staff were unaware of ceremony. We need better publicity for the event and for nominations: send save the date notices; wider, earlier, in-person calls to organizations, non-profits for nominations; invitations in timely manner. How do we get the word out to public at large? ● Partnership w/Women’s Commission met w/some difficulty in follow-through on commitments. May need to plan and meet/collaborate/check in earlier. ● Discussion about inclusion of collaboration with additional/other boards represented in awards categories (senior, youth). Government Relations ● Major goal: Work as a group to ensure HRC representation at all City Council meetings. 1. All HRC members are to subscribe to 6-month planning calendar to ensure we know of upcoming Council agenda items pertinent to HRC. 2. Julia will add Council representation to monthly agenda; we will schedule attendees. 3. Commissioners will share responsibility in attending. ● Beth: Town hall mtgs. Also good to attend ● Julia: We need to connect with other cities/governments setting positive standards. ● Jean: invite HRC members of other communities to share what they do. ● We assist community members who may wish to submit complaints. Carol will present information to us around this. ● HRC agrees to table our crisis response request due to repeated non-response from Mayor Troxell. We will instead contact Emily Gorgol with request for response when hate crimes arise. Executive ● Cindy requested stronger use of Robert's Rules of Order during HRC meetings. Committee Elections The following nominations for committee chairs were made, followed by a single vote to elect all. Educational Outreach - Phil Walker Government Relations- Jean Runyon Media and Community Relations- Eva Amason Executive - Julia Mackewich Executive Vice-Chair - Beth Jaegar Recorder/Treasurer-Cindy Davis Motion to elect committee nominations was made by Wendy True. Second by Vic Smith. Vote 7-0. No March meeting is scheduled. All members are to become familiar with TWP curriculum. Motion to adjourn was made by Julia Mackewich. Second by Vic Smith. Vote 6-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:10.