Citizens' Unity Commission

Citizens’ Unity Commission Monthly Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 9, 2019 ~ 6:00 pm-8:00pm Hampton City Hall, Community Development Conference Room, 5th floor Attendance: Milton McDonald, Joiecel Riviera, Luretta Ray, Chris Grady, Mei Stukes, Justin Carolina, Mary Wallace, Jennifer Evans, Darius Swift, Willie C. Anderson, Trevor Hutson, Tamika Lett, Michael Harper, Katrina Bailey, Barbara Washer, Shuntay Tarver Absent: Alice Capehart, Devinn Smart, Deena Franklin (Community Liaison), Ellen Shackelford (Community Liaison), Burley Gardner (Community Liaison) Staff: Latiesha Handie (Executive Director) Imara Gabe Diaz (Program Coordinator Call to Order – Jennifer Evans, Chairperson 6:05 pm Roll Call – Imara Gabe Diaz, Program Coordinator Action Items Item 1: Roll Call Imara Gabe Diaz, CUC Program Coordinator, noted 5 absences while taking roll. Imara informed the commission of the resignation of Rebecca Kristi Jackson. Item 2: Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes 12-12-19 Commissioner Katrina Bailey made a motion to approve with no corrections, motion seconded by Commissioner Mary Wallace, approved by a vote of commissioners. Old Business Item 1: CUC Commissioner meeting absenteeism Latiesha Handie, Executive Director, explained that after sending out notice for excessive absences, she received notification of resignation from Rebecca Jackson advising us that she is no longer able to commit to the work of the office but rather free up her seat to someone that is able to be more active. Latiesha Handie also informed the commission that as of 1/9/2020 she has not received a response back from Commissioner Devinn Smart. Recommendations for new appointments will be sent to the Clerk of Council, Joy Mautz. Latiesha Handie reviewed the following sections of the Commission’s bylaws: 1 Section 3: Responsibilities and Duties of Commissioners are to: Attend and actively participate in regular meetings, attend half (50%) of the commission events, as well as the Annual Retreat; Notify the Citizens' Unity Commission Office prior to any meeting that they will not be able to attend. Section 2: Vacancies Vacancies shall occur when a commissioner resigns, a commissioner misses three (3) regular meetings of the Commission without notification, or in the opinion of a majority of the commissioners, a member is no longer capable of fulfilling his/her obligations as a commissioner. 1. The Executive Director shall notify, in writing, a commissioner who misses two (2) consecutive meetings without notification that missing another meeting without notification will terminate his/her appointment. 2. The Commission shall declare a member no longer capable of fulfilling his/her obligations as a Commissioner by majority vote with a quorum present after the member has been notified of possible action by the Commission. Deena Franklin, Community Liaison for the Neighborhood Office, has not attended a meeting in the last two years. CUC staff will notify the Neighborhood Office and request a new liaison. Item 2: Citizen's Police Advisory Group Liaison for CUC Latiesha Handie explained that the Citizens' Police Advisory Group representative to act as a Liaison has been identified as Commissioner Darius Swift. Darius explained that he is humbled by this consideration and will use his personal experiences as a guide to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the citizens of Hampton. New Business Item 1: Program Evaluation Updates  LGBTQ Awareness - Find Your Voice- Intimate Partner Violence Discussion took place Dec 21. 2019 at Element Hotel. Commissioner Katrina Bailey reported that the event was well attended, the fish bowl conversation concept was very interesting and provided helpful information. Commissioner Chris Grady expressed that he was a little uncomfortable at 1st but he understood that was the purpose of the discussion. He recognized that people from different lifestyles share many of the same experiences. Latiesha Handie stated that there approx. 60 participants. 2   Youth Advisory Group – Next meeting held Monday, January 13, 2020, Sandy Bottom Nature Park to plan the next YAG event in February.  CEARC- Next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 14, 2020, Ruppert Sargent Building.  Marketplace Talks- 1st conversation will be January 27, 2020 on Mental health; “What’s behind the rise of youth suicide?” at Sentara Careplex in Hampton. Upcoming dates: February 7th- (lunch) Privilege at it relates to race, February 11th (dinner), - Violence as it relates to communities of color February 22nd (breakfast) -Mental Health as it relates to opioids vs. crack, March 5th (dinner) - Violence as it relates to domestic violence, March 14th (breakfast) – Privilege as it relates to gender, March 27th (lunch) – Mental health as it relates to social media, April 25th (breakfast) – Privilege as it relates to age. Registration required. Latiesha Handie stated that she would like the commission to attend at least one conversation and that she is looking for those commissioners who have identified as sub-committee members of Hot Button to be available as greeters, registration table workers, and assist in set-up and break down. Item 2: Committee Work Latiesha Handie provided updates for the sub-committees for the following groups that did not have to meet:  One City, One Book- (meeting scheduled for 1/16/2020 at the Main Library to discuss inventory of the book “To Be a Slave”, establish dates for book discussion, finalize flyer.)  Movie Talks- Sub-committee members requested an electronic copy of the flyer as well as printed copies to distribute.  One City One Books – Sub-committee members tasked to identify books to consider for the February Book Discussion.  Circles of Diversity – Sub-committee members tasked to compile a list of all houses of faith in Hampton with emails and contact numbers.  Hampton Diversity College – Level I begins Thursday, January 16, 2020.  LGBTQ Awareness – Debrief meeting with community partners scheduled for January 17, 2020 at 12:00 PM City Hall, 6th floor.  Hot Button Topics- Sign in sheet circulated amongst the commissioners for planned participation for January 27th. Committee Breakouts: Identified sub-committee that needed to meet this evening are the Youth Advisory Group, Unity through Arts and Unity Awards. 3 Item 3: Committee Report Outs  Unity through Art- Sub-Committee Target Audience: General public (youth focus middle/high school) Locations: Ft. Monroe Theater or theater settings; community center gym Dates: History & Education of Tap Dancing – March 21st, Native American Dancing & Drumming – April 25th. Format- interactive demonstration, discussion along with an opportunity to make a drum, pre-packaged refreshments.  Unity Awards – Sub-committee members decided to: 1. Plan to meet one day next week at 2:00 PM at the Hampton Main Library 2. Look to improve the application, make revisions to the form. 3. Guidelines for selection and nominations may be revised. 4. Materials compiled for awards from other organizations will be compared.  Youth Advisory Group – The sub-committee discussed potential ideas to propose to the group for future activities. Imara Diaz mentioned the invitation from Northampton Community Center to partner in their upcoming Black History Month program “The Underground Rail Road Experience. An activity about getting to know your family tree was also proposed for our youth to fill out a questionnaire with significant information about “Hidden Figures” in their families. Go-Backs: Announcements: Burley Gardner, Community Liaison, made corrections to the previous announcement and stated that he would be sending a flyer for commissioners to attend the JBLE African American/Black History Month Observance event on February 6, 2020. Adjourned 7:59 pm Next Meeting Date and Time: Thursday, January 13, 2020, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm 4