Citizens' Unity Commission

Citizens’ Unity Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 12, 2017 ~ 6:00pm-8:00pm Community Development Conference Room, 5th Floor- City Hall, Hampton, VA Attendance: Sharmane Baynard, Andrea Bynum (Chair), Carter Phillips (Vice Chair), Diretta Glover, Mei Stukes, Alice Capehart, Luretta Ray, Ruthann Kellum, Ray Smith, Enrique Zapatero, Milton McDonald Community Liaisons: Ellen Shackelford (Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities) Staff: Synetheia Newby (Executive Director); Wanda Ferrell (Program Coordinator) Call to Order – Carter Phillips, Chairperson, 6:05 Action Items Item 1: Welcome and Introduction of New Commissioners!! • Welcome to new CUC Commissioner Diretta Glover! • Milton McDonald was reappointed as a CUC Commissioner. His new term expires June 30, 2020. Item 2: Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes from 11-10-16 • Commissioner Ruthann Kellum noted that he minutes from the sub-committee meetings were not attached to the minutes disseminated to the commissioners. o CUC staff will review the original email dissemination to ensure that they were included. If they were not included, that statement will be deleted from the minutes. o Minutes approved with noted proposed correction. New Business Item 1: Membership • Current Vacancies o City Council has decided delay filling the remaining vacancies so that additional time can be dedicated to addressing the diversity gaps on the commission. o A demographics sheet was distributed during the meeting and commissioners completed them during the meeting. The information collected will be used to compile data on the current commission and to assist in identifying existing diversity gaps. 1  • Member Expectations (Attendance and Participation) o The current governing policies and procedures were reviewed and commissioners were reminded that they should not miss more than three, consecutive regular meetings, without notice, as this will be grounds for removal from the commission. Item 2: Committee Reports and Discussion • All committee leads please send your sub-committee meeting minutes to Wanda Ferrell. • Bylaws and Standards Subcommittee Report – Carter Phillips o Carter Phillips is the lead o This committee plans to meet next weekend to draft by-laws o The Executive Director requested that a draft be ready for review by the March 9, 2017 meeting. • Membership and Orientation Subcommittee Report – Ray & Enrique o Enrique Zapatero is the lead o Committee meeting minutes are attached • Unity Awards Subcommittee Report – Enrique o Mary Wallace is the lead o The committee is exploring a new time and venue for the event o The proposed budget for the 2017 Unity Awards is $3,700 and is distributed into six categories. a. Food ($1200) b. Venue ($1000) c. Decorations ($200) d. Trophies/Certificates ($600) e. Photographer ($450) f. Musician ($250) o The Executive Director requested that this committee meet in to plan dates, times and venue for the program. CUC staff is available to help where needed. • Youth Outreach and Development Subcommittee Report o There is currently no lead for this committee. o The committee met on January 5, 2017. o Committee report will be emailed out next week. Item 3: CUC Suggested Programming for 2017 • City Council is asking this commission to continue to evolve in hosting community events and increase our activity level. Currently, there are 2  two, annual events that this commission participates in: the Unity Awards and the International Children’s Festival. • The commission agreed that we need to ensure that the community is aware of our existence and what we do; one of the ways to facilitate this is to increase our activity level and visibility in the community. This list is just a list of suggestions, if anyone has anyone other ideas on programs please present them. • “Movie Talks” o Luretta Ray is the lead o Modification of movie & mic. This program will allow us to be more fiscally responsible. We would show older movie and still have facilitated conversations vs using a big venue like Cinebistro where we prepay and risk losing money. o It was noted that the library already hosts an event similar to this and we discussed partnering. o Commissioners Luretta Ray and Alice Capehart will research the library, American Theatre, TNCC, HU and other venues that may have similar programs and provide a report at the March meeting. • Community Conversations o Commissioner Sharmane Baynard shared an idea that would engage the community in conversations on topics that are of national and local relevance. o The proposed model: “America Divided” is an 8 part-series, on the EPIC network, which could be used to focus the conversations. You can read more about the series at https://americadividedseries.com. o Sharmane would like to have a couple viewings planned for Month of Peace in April 2017. Synetheia will work with Sharmane to structure the program. • Brunch and Books o Commissioners Ruthann Kellum, Andrea Bynum and Alice Capehart volunteered to work together to create a proposal for this. o They will meet in February to research and plan for this program. • LGBTQ Awareness Event o Synetheia Newby noted that there is a growing LGBTQ community in Hampton and we should explore planning an event that incorporates the LGBTQ community. o The commission agreed that increased education on LGBTQ community, for commissioners, would be an appropriate foundation before we can begin to plan anything around the community. o The commission would like to invite Mary Fugere to a CUC meeting to inform us more on what Convention and Visitors Center is doing with the LGBTQ community. 3  • “Dance Around the Globe” o This proposed event is a way to increase education on different ethnicities and cultures through the art of dance. o Wanda Ferrell referenced a citizen who recently stopped by the CUC offices expressing an interest in partnering through the arts; she will provide that information to Synetheia and CUC staff will follow-up on this lead. o Commissioners were asked to recommend any groups that they know who would like to share their culture and values through dance. “Go-Backs” Announcements • Sharmane Baynard would like for the CUC to charter a bus to the African American History Museum and National Mall. Approximate price would be $25 - $30 dollars to charter the bus. Each would be responsible for their own meals. o Diretta Glover and Sharmane will work together to plan this visit, determine the best way to advertise it, and payment options. o They will provide a report at the March meeting. • “Taking the Stage” airs tonight on ABC and would be a good show to watch as it relates to celebrating diversity. • City Hall now has security in the building until 9:00pm. Commissioners should park on the Lincoln St. side or the side with the statue to enter through visitor’s door. • A Facebook page has been set up for the CUC department that includes information for the Citizens’ Unity Commission and the Citizens’ Engagement Advisory & Review Commission. Next Meeting Date and Time: March 9, 2017 6pm-8pm Adjourn. 4  Citizens’ Unity Commission Membership Orientation Sub-Committee November 21, 2016 Meeting Minutes Members present: Burley Gardner, Ray Smith, Enrique Zapatero Member excused: Milton McDonald The subcommittee met on the 2nd Floor of the Main Library (4207 Victoria Blvd.) at 6:00 p.m. The members discussed a set of potential questions to be used during the CUC’s board members application process. After much dialogue, the subcommittee adjourned at 7:45 p.m. What follows are the proposed questions agreed upon: Potential Questions for CUC’s Application Process 1. In your view, what is the role the CUC should play in the community? 2. What motivates you to apply to the CUC? 3. Are you willing and able to commit the time and energy required to serve on this board? 4. Have you ever had a chance to foster healthy racial and/or cultural relations? 5. In your opinion, what are some critical topics affecting unity in the City of Hampton? Name a few. 6. Have you ever had a chance to advance awareness of diversity issues and concerns in our community? 7. Have you ever had a chance to participate in fostering positive dialogue among diverse cultural groups? 8. Have you ever had a chance to help dispel myths and misconceptions about diversity issues. 9. In your opinion, what kind of positive impact do you think you can bring to this commission? 5