Citizens' Unity Commission

Citizens’ Unity Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, April 10, 2017 ~ 6:00pm-8:00pm Ruppert-Sargent Building, Veterans Conference Room A, Hampton, VA Attendance: Sharmane Baynard, Andrea Bynum (Chair), Kayla Hicks, Carter Phillips (Vice Chair), Mei Stukes, Luretta Ray, Ruthann Kellum, Milton McDonald, Burley Gardner (Community Liaison), Ray Smith, , Mary Wallace Absent: Anne Andrews, Alice Capehart, Enrique Zapatero, Ellen Shackelford (Community Liaison), Deena Franklin (Community Liaison), Nikcola Walker Staff: Synetheia Newby (Executive Director); Steven D. Bond (Assistant City Manager) Call to Order – Carter Phillips, Vice-Chairperson, 6:08pm Roll Call – Synetheia Newby Action Items Item 1: Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes from 4-10-17 • Commissioner Milton McDonald made a motion to approve the minutes; motion seconded by Commissioner Mei Stukes. Minutes approved by vote of commissioners. Old Business Item 1: International Children’s Festival • Synetheia Newby, Executive Director, reported the following items will be available for distribution during the festival: animal bags, CUC blue/yellow pens, and informational handout. There will also be a long, coloring sheet and crayons available. • Finalized commissioner sign-up for table coverage. • A map of the location of the table and other logistical information will be emailed to commissioners, upon receipt from Parks and Recreation. • 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. 1 Item 2: Commissioner Technology Concerns • After the last meeting, several commissioners contacted Synetheia Newby to advise that they could not open the agenda and minutes that she has been disseminating via email. • Synetheia Newby contacted Hampton IT Desk and IT determined that this is a configuration issue on the recipient’s mobile device. She advised that she will continue to send the documents as a PDF and Word document and suggested that the commissioners who are experiencing challenges follow-up with their mobile device providers and email providers for additional support. • Commissioner Sharmane Baynard offered to assist commissioners with a technique that may help to resolve the challenge. • If there is an alternate email address that commissioners would like to receive emails from CUC staff, please let Synetheia know. The commissioners broke into their committees for a work session during the meeting. Each committee spent approximately 30 minutes in their committees. New Business Item 1: Committee Work Sessions and Reports • Bylaws and Standards Subcommittee Report 1. Commissioner Carter Phillips provided the committee report; he noted that there are some corrections that still need to be made and new recommendations that need to be included. 2. The committee will revise and disseminate updates, via email, through CUC staff. • Membership and Orientation Subcommittee Report 1. Commissioner Ray Smith provided the report. 2. The committee has drafted interview questions for use in interviewing potential commissioners. 3. The proposed interview questions will be sent to Synetheia Newby by Commissioner Ray Smith. 4. The proposed interview questions are attached to these minutes along with the approved recruitment methodology plan. • Unity Awards Subcommittee Report 1. Commissioner Mary Wallace provided the report. 2. Date and Time: Friday, June 9th @6:30pm 3. Location: The American Theater is the proposed location and Synetheia Newby will follow-up to confirm and complete the requisite paperwork. 2  4. The program for the occasion has been drafted and will be finalized by the next meeting. • Youth Outreach and Development Subcommittee Report 1. Synetheia Newby provided the report and noted that a committee head still needs to be appointed. They met on April 10th at 5:15pm 2. The recruitment age bracket has been established and is 13-19. 3. The board will be comprised of 13 youth. 4. The YAG application is scheduled to be disseminated via high school guidance counselors, Project Inclusion coordinators, and 8th grade guidance counselors, beginning April 30th. 5. The committee’s goal is to decide on the YAG participants before the summer break and hold the first meeting in September, 2017. 6. A final mission statement and goal statements were voted and agreed upon; they are: • The mission of the Youth Advisory Group (YAG) is to discover and create opportunities that bring diverse youth together. • Their goals are: (1) to increase opportunities for Hampton youth to engage in meaningful dialogues on diversity and inclusion; and (2) to plan and execute events that raise awareness about diversity and inclusion amongst Hampton youth. • “Movie Talks” Subcommittee Report 1. Commissioner Luretta Ray provided the report. 2. Hampton Public Library system is interested in partnering with us on this program. The point of contact is Rita Schrievner. 3. Commissioner Carter Phillips has agreed to meet with Rita to further discuss the partnership and bring an update back to the committee. • “America Divided: Community Conversations” Subcommittee Report 1. Commissioner Sharmane Baynard provided the report. 2. There are 5 episodes that will be shown through 4 viewings beginning in April, 2017 and end in June, 2017; the following dates have been scheduled: April 22nd, 9a-12p at Emmanuel Grace Baptist Church, 3301 Kecoughtan Road; May 6th, 9a-12p at Emmanuel Grace Baptist Church, 3301 Kecoughtan Road; and May 20th, 9a- 12p, location TBD. The final session information will be forthcoming. 3. Continental breakfast will be provided and Sharmane asked for help in soliciting local eateries for donation of breakfast items. 4. 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 3  episode and how it relates to issues that divide communities and block unity. 5. Pre-registration and advertisement will be done via CUC website and social media. Additionally, Synetheia Newby will ask the Neighborhood Commission to assist with advertisement via its District Commissioners. 6. The corporate offices for “America Divided” have sent promotional materials for the screenings and will also advertise through their social media platforms. • “Brunch and Books” Subcommittee Report 1. Commissioner Andrea Bynum provided the report. 2. The committee has decided to launch the “One City, One Book” initiative, on June 30th with the “Hidden Figures” book; they are following the San Francisco model. 3. Commissioner Andrea Bynum advised that they will contact Leonard Sledge of Economic Development to get his assistance in partnering with local businesses (i.e. partnership with local eateries for hosting the book review sessions; target business to help with promoting the program) 4. Author Margo Lee Shetterly will be contacted to see if she is available to show up at one of the book review sessions. 5. Assistant City Manager Steven Bond agreed to ensure that City Council is apprised of this initiative once there is more concrete information. “Go-Backs” Announcements • Please encourage people to apply for service on the Citizens’ Unity Commission. • Reminder: Trip to African-American History Museum is still being planned for September, 2017. Sharmane will keep us apprised of how to get tickets for guided tours. Next Meeting Date and Time: May 11, 2017, 6pm-8pm Adjourned at 8:04pm 4