Citizens' Unity Commission

Citizens’ Unity Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, March 9, 2017 ~ 6:00pm-8:00pm Community Development Conference Room, 5th Floor- City Hall, Hampton, VA Attendance: Anne Andrews, Sharmane Baynard, Andrea Bynum (Chair), Carter Phillips (Vice Chair), Nikcola Walker, Mei Stukes, Luretta Ray, Ruthann Kellum, Milton McDonald, Burley Gardner (Community Liaison) Absent: Kayla Hicks, Alice Capehart, Mary Wallace, Enrique Zapatero, Ray Smith, Ellen Shackelford (Community Liaison), Deena Franklin (Community Liaison) Staff: Synetheia Newby (Executive Director); Steven D. Bond (Assistant City Manager) Call to Order – Andrea Bynum, Chairperson, 6:15pm Roll Call – Synetheia Newby Action Items Item 1: Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes from 1-12-17  Commissioner Andrea Bynum made a motion to approve the minutes; motion seconded by Commissioner Sharmane Baynard. Minutes approved by vote of commissioners Old Business Item 1: UPDATE: Trip to the African-American History Museum and National Mall  Commissioner Sharmane Baynard provided an update on the trip and noted that pre-scheduled, group tour dates were booked through March, 2017. She stated that she is going to contact the museum to see if Saturday dates are available for September, 2017. If they are not, she recommended that we postpone sponsoring the trip until next year.  Commissioner Anne Andrews recommended that in addition to this trip, we should consider sponsoring a trip to the Holocaust Museum. New Business Item 1: Membership  We currently have six vacancies that need to be filled. There is a commission capacity of 20 individuals. 1   There are six commissioners that have terms that expire on June 30, 2017; three of those commissioners will not be eligible for re-appointment, as this is their 2nd term.  Assistant City Manager Steven D. Bond referred back to City Council’s new policy on appointments and length of service. This policy was provided to commissioners, in writing, at the November 2016 meeting. He also noted that City Council is seeking to give more citizens an opportunity to serve on boards and commissions.  Commissioner Ruthann Kellum noted the importance of ensuring that the boards and commissions are inclusive and intentional in recruiting across various demographic lines to ensure diversity.  Synetheia Newby advised that she will be requesting a copy of the current applications in the Board Bank for this commission. An ongoing challenge is that applications are sometimes incomplete and absent of demographic information. She suggested that the Membership & Orientation committee meet again to finalize the proposed membership process so that it can be implemented in recommending citizens for the existing vacancies. Item 2: International Children’s Festival 2017 (April 15, 2017)  A $500 sponsorship fee will paid next week; it includes one table and 2 chairs; the commission has been assigned to sponsor the Caribbean.  A commissioner participation and sign-up sheet was circulated and commissioners were asked to sign-up to provide shift coverage. A copy of the sign-up sheet is attached to these minutes.  CUC staff will set-up at 9:30am; the final shift will be responsible for breaking down and packing up and Synetheia Newby will coordinate with that commissioner in getting the items back to the office. Item 3: Committee Reports and Discussion  Bylaws and Standards Subcommittee Report 1. Commissioner Carter Phillips provided the committee report; he noted that there are some corrections that need to be made. 2. The committee will revise and disseminate updates, via email, through CUC staff. 3. A copy of the proposed bylaws is attached to these minutes.  Membership and Orientation Subcommittee Report 1. This committee has not met so there was no report provided.  Unity Awards Subcommittee Report 1. The committee met on January 24, 2017; the minutes are attached to these minutes 2. Date and Time: Friday, June 9th @6:30pm Location: The American Theater 2  3. The American Theater venue has not been confirmed; Synetheia Newby requested that the committee verify that the requisite paperwork has been completed for the reservation. 4. The tentative deadline for submission of nominations is May 10th; Commissioner Carter Phillips will notify Synetheia Newby to confirm the submission deadline and venue information; he will also email her the updated minutes, which will be reflective of changes he made to the minutes during the meeting.  Youth Outreach and Development Subcommittee Report 1. Synetheia Newby provided the report and noted that a committee head still needs to be appointed; she will send an email to set-up a meeting. 2. The committee needs to meet again to make some key decisions about the application process and criteria for participating on the Youth Advisory Group. 3. Commissioner Nikcola Walker joined this committee. 4. The minutes from the January meeting are attached to these minutes.  “Movie Talks” Subcommittee Report 1. Commissioner Luretta Ray provided a report. 2. Hampton Public Library system is interested in partnering with us on this program. The point of contact is Rita Schrievner. 3. There is space available for 75-100 people, at the main library, for public viewing; the viewing would be free and open to the public and no fee will be charged. The CUC would need to designate a facilitator to lead the discussion on the movie after the viewing. 4. The library system has access to Redbox and stated that we could utilize their access to choose movies for each viewing. 5. This partnership creates an opportunity to show movies to children and adults. 6. The commissioners agreed that the movies selected should be movies and documentaries related to diversity. 7. Southern Poverty Law Center is a resource that we could use to get movies from for this program, per Commissioner Anne Andrews. Also, the CUC Resource Library has movies, in the office that can be utilized. 8. It was noted that any movies around race relations, religions (specifically the Islamic faith), and sexual orientation may be key for the viewing focus at this time. 9. Targeted outreach will be important to the success of this program; this will also help with choosing the appropriate dates and times based on the population targeted. 10. It was also suggested that representation from the targeted populations be a part of the planning of the viewing. 3  11. The committee was asked to draft a calendar of proposed dates and times and bring it back to the general body meeting. 12. Commissioner Anne Andrews joined this committee.  “America Divided: Community Conversations” Subcommittee Report 1. Commissioner Sharmane Baynard provided a report. 2. An attachment on the “America Divided” series is attached to these minutes. 3. The viewings will begin during Peace Month in April, 2017 and end in July 2017; the goal is to do two viewings per month on the following proposed dates: April 8th & 22nd; May 6th & 20th; June 3rd & 24th; July 8th & 22nd 4. The viewings will be held in the community at local community centers and faith centers. 5. The viewings will be held on Saturdays from 9am-12pm.; continental breakfast will be provided and Sharmane will be soliciting local eateries for donation of breakfast items. 6. The structure of the viewings will be to watch an episode and have a facilitator lead the group in a discussion on the content of the episode and how it relates to issues that divide communities and block unity. 7. Pre-registration and advertisement will be done via CUC website and social media. 8. Sharmane will be contacting the corporate offices for “America Divided” to get promotional materials and finalize the schedule of viewings.  “Brunch and Books” Subcommittee Report 1. Commissioner Andrea Bynum noted that the committee had not met but that she has done some initial research on models that could be used. Some models she referenced were: a. “One City, One Book” (suggestion: start with “Hidden Figures” book; kick-off in June, 2017) b. Coloring Book Club c. Book and brunch (weekend model) 2. Other suggestions offered: a. Engaging the school system in the “One City, One Book” model b. Partnership with local eateries for hosting the book review sessions c. Partner with Economic Development to target business to help with promoting the program d. Partner with the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities for the coloring book club model; Ellen Shackelford is a good resource for this connection. 4  3. The committee will be having a conference call soon to discuss the outcomes of the initial research and make some decisions on the structure. 4. Commissioner Sharmane Baynard joined this committee “Go-Backs” 1. International Children’s Festival a. Imperative for all commissioners to provide shift coverage b. Provide promotional items like last year (i.e. bags, CUC information, pens) c. Provide the coloring sheet for children d. Sign-up sheet to receive emails on upcoming CUC events e. Commissioner Andrea Bynum agreed to do any data entry related to the information received on the sign-up sheet f. Commissioner Sharmane Baynard suggested purchasing and giving out digital tattoos for the CUC. g. There are fiscal considerations that must be made to determine what will be distributed at the festival 2. Trip to African-American History Museum a. Commissioner Sharmane Baynard suggested that instead of trying to schedule a tour, we should just sponsor a trip and do regular, unguided tours b. The commission decided to stick with the September, 2017 date c. Recommendation: Sponsor educational trips to museums at least twice per year (i.e. Hampton History Museum, Holocaust Museum, Hampton University Museum) 3. Nikcola Walker Formal Introduction and Introduction of Commissioners and Staff Announcements Next Meeting Date and Time: April 10, 2017 Adjourned at 7:58pm 5