Citizens' Unity Commission

Citizens’ Unity Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 10, 2018 ~ 6:00pm-8:00pm Community Development Conference Room, 5th Floor, 22 Lincoln St. Hampton, VA. Attendance: Alice Capehart, A. Tyrone George, Milton McDonald, Burley Gardner (Community Liaison), Ellen Shackelford (Community Liaison), Absent: Anne Andrews, Nolan Dazevedo, Michael Harper, Rebecca Jackson, Carter Phillips, Luretta Ray, Cassandra Simpson, Devinn Smart, Deena Franklin (Community Liaison), Nikcola Walker, Kercelia Woodruff, Ray Smith, Mei Stukes, Darius Swift, Mary Wallace, Staff: Synetheia Newby (Executive Director), Latiesha Handie (Program Coordinator), Steven Bond (Assistant City Manager) Call to Order – Synetheia Newby, Executive Director, 6:19 pm Roll Call – Latiesha Handie Action Items Item 1: Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes from 2-15-18  Unable to approve the minutes due to the absence of a quorum. Item 2: Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes from 4-12-18  Unable to approve the minutes due to the absence of a quorum. New Business Due to the absence of a quorum present commissioners agreed to cancel the May 10, 2018 meeting if additional commissioners fail to arrive before 6:34 pm. Synetheia Newby, Executive Director, agreed with their recommendation and adjusted the agenda to denote general announcements. Item 1: Program Evaluation Updates Item 2: Programs and Events for FY19 Item 3: Committee Work Groups Movie Talks Hot Button YAG Unity through Art 1 City, 1 Book Unity Awards LGBTQ Item 4: Committee Report-Outs 1 Item 5: Elections  Items 1-5 were deferred due to a lack of quorum and will be heard at the next regularly scheduled meeting of October 2018 Announcements  Next Meeting Date and Time: June 8, 2018, 6:30pm-8: 30 pm, Annual Unity Awards Ceremony and Program, 125 E. Mellen Street, Hampton  Latiesha Handie, Program Coordinator, provided commissioners with a flyer packet denoting three upcoming events that commissioners were requested to attend and share with realms of influence. o Iftar Dinner, “Breaking Bread While Building Bridges” May 31, 2018 7 pm  The Iftar Dinner is an evening meal hosted by the Muslim Community to denote the end of their daily Ramadan fast at sunset. This event is usually done as a community with people gathering to break from abstaining of food, drink, and intimacy together. o Movie Talks May 29, 2018, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  Viewing: Joy Luck Club o Unity Awards hosted June 8, 2018  Synetheia Newby, Executive Director, suggested that in the absences of Unity Award Committee members the sub-committee should meet before the Unity Awards to discuss nominations, event program, and event details. o Commissioner Alice Capehart suggested that committee members should meet during the day at a specified location during the week. o Latiesha Handie advised that she would cast a doodle to set up a sub- committee meeting.  Latiesha Handie reminded commissioners about the farewell celebration for Synetheia Newby’s last day as Executive Director, to be held on May 11, 2018, in the Canty Conference Room 5th Floor, City Hall from 1 pm – 3 pm. Electronic details were sent via email.  Commissioners were informed that the department updated the following marketing material to included new flyers and brochures for Hampton Diversity College and department details.  Synetheia Newby stated that she would be making contact with five Commissioners who have not been attending meetings with regularity and that lack proper notification in alignment with CUC bylaws. She will notify persons by email, phone calls, and regular mail.  Due to the absence of a quorum, the meeting adjourned at 6:34 pm. 2 Adjourned 6:34 pm Next Meeting Date and Time: CUC will begin summer sabbatical in June and will reconvene September 2018 for their Annual Retreat. 3