Citizens' Unity Commission

Citizens’ Unity Commission Annual Retreat Meeting Minutes Thursday, September 24, 2020 ~ 6:00 pm-8:00pm Ruppert Sargent Building, 1 Franklin Street, Hampton, VA Attendance: Katrina Bailey, Jennifer Evans, Chris Grady, Michael Harper, Whalan McDew, Malik Perry, Luretta Ray, Erica Spencer, Mei Stukes, Shuntay Tarver, Ellen Velissarios, Mary Wallace, Barbara Washer, Steven Wendell, Ellen Shackelford (Community Liaison), Justin Carolina (arrived late via Zoom) ***Electronic Participants: Burley Gardner (Community Liaison), Tamika Lett, Willie C. Anderson, Justin Carolina Absent: Alice Capehart, Trevor Hudson, Joiecel Riviera, Assistant City Manager Steven D. Bond (Absent Notified) Staff: Latiesha Handie (Executive Director) Imara Gabe Diaz (Program Coordinator) Call to Order – Latiesha Handie, Executive Director 6:04 pm Roll Call – Latiesha Handie Action Items Item 1: Roll Call & Approve Electronic Participation of Commissioners  Latiesha D. Handie, CUC Executive Director, called roll; mentioned those who notified the office of their delay or pre-determined absence. Commissioner, Katrina Bailey made a motion to allow remote, virtual access to three commissioners via Zoom, motioned seconded by Commissioner Mei Stukes. Item 2: Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes 2-13-2020  Commissioner Katrina Bailey made a motion to approve, a motion seconded by Commissioner Luretta Ray. Commissioner Mary Wallace asked the Commission to give a round of applause to CUC Staff. Old Business  Latiesha recapped the Program Evaluations for Marketplace Talks, Hampton Diversity College, and One City, One Book. Latiesha provided an update on the 2020 Census Complete Count Committee and shared Virginia's self-response rate to date at 67.8 %. The original deadline to complete your census survey was July 31, since extended to September 30. 1 New Business Item 1: Welcome New and Returning Commissioners  Latiesha Handie introduced CUC staff and allowed new and returning commissioners to introduce themselves. Item 2: Review CUC Combined Success Packet  Latiesha communicated the Commission's meeting schedule and an overview of the CUC Success Packet and the primary functions of the Commission. Latiesha explained that the department operates in a proactive and reactive arm with a Youth Advisory Group. She explained that this is the 1st time the CUC, CEARC, and YAG Success Packets were combined to include rosters, the bylaws, and metrics to measure each group. A few notable mentions to the Success Packet had the HISTORY & MISSION and the new title assigned to the Executive Director of LGBTQ Liaison. She announced Hampton's first LGTQ Liaison on December 17, 2019. Latiesha D. Handie, Executive Director & LGBTQ Liaison to the City Manager, implements and directs programs that promote awareness, inspire mutual respect, and increase education on diversity, unity, and inclusion in the City of Hampton. In this role, she serves an accessible and friendly ear to Hampton's citizens and reports to the City Manager's Office on diverse & inclusive related issues and concerns.  She explained the City of Hampton responds to the Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index, where rankings measure our inclusivity of LGBTQ related services and practices. In 2015, our score ranking was 15 out of 100 possible points. As of July 31, 2020, we are at 72 out of 100.  While reviewing the Freedom of Information Act, Latiesha stated that the highlighted verbiage indicated additional language notice of meetings, recordings, and minutes. Meetings held through electronic communication means: No meeting shall be conducted through telephonic, video, electronic, or other electronic communication means where the members are not physically assembled to discuss or transact public business, except as provided in § 2.2-3708.2 or as may be specifically provided in Title 54.1 for the summary suspension of professional licenses. Also, for electronic communication meetings conducted in accordance with § 2.2-3708.2, minutes of state public bodies shall include (1) the identity of the members of the public body at each remote location identified in the notice who participated in the meeting through electronic communication means, (2) the identity of the members of the public body who were physically assembled at the primary or central meeting location, and (3) the identity of the members of the public body who were not present at the locations identified in clauses (1) and (2) but who monitored such meeting through electronic communication means.  Latiesha asked all commissioners to review the CUC Roster to ensure all information is correct, i.e., names, addresses, phone numbers, emails, and term lengths are correct. Item 3: Update Bylaws  Upon creating the combined Success Packet, Latiesha noticed the Bylaws were incomplete. The following language was requested by the ED to be added: 2  A. Bylaws may be hereafter adopted. Such bylaws may be amended or repealed, in whole or in part, in the manner provided therein, and the amendments to the bylaws shall be binding on all members, including those who may have voted against them. I. Adoption and Amendments A. Policies and Procedures shall be adopted after ten days written notice to the membership by a 2/3 vote with a quorum present and shall be binding on all commissioners, including those who may have voted against the, B. Policies and Procedures may be amended or repealed, in whole or in part after 30 days written notice to the membership by 2/3 vote, a quorum being present, and such action shall be binding on all Commissioners, including those who may have voted against them. CERTIFICATION These bylaws were approved at a meeting of the Citizens’ Unity Commission by a two-thirds majority vote on ______________________________________. Chair Date  Commissioner Steven Wendell made a motion to approve, motion seconded by Commissioner Katrina Bailey. Latiesha Handie stated that commissioners shall serve without compensation but instead are "paid in love". ***Commissioner Justin Carolina joined the meeting electronically, via Zoom***  Latiesha Handie explained that the election of officers shall take place at the Annual Retreat. Nominations shall be made with the consent of the persons nominated. The election shall be by ballot if there is more than one (1) nominee for the office. A simple majority vote of the membership present and voting shall constitute an election. The term of office will be for one (1) year. Officers may succeed themselves one (1) time, after which they must step down. They may be re-elected after completion of a term in office by their successor. Latiesha offered guidance in the example of Officer Terms for the CEARC, stating the term length of officers was two years. The Commission agreed to revisit this item at the next meeting.  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. The Citizens’ Unity Commission’s Executive Director shall be an ex-officio member without voting privileges. 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. 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. Vacancies on the Commission shall be filled by the City Council for the unexpired portion of that term. Responsibilities and Duties of Commissioners A. Attend and actively participate in regular meetings, attend half (50%) of the commission events, and the Annual Retreat. B. Participate in standing and sub committees. 3  C. Notify the Citizens' Unity Commission Office prior to any meeting that they will not attend. D. Represent interests and concerns of the citizens of the Commission E. Represent interests and concerns of the Commission to the citizens F. Act in full accord with the Commission’s policies, procedures, and actions. G. Must serve on a committee. FY2020 Year-End Review  Latiesha Handie stated that the department had a very aggressive year, and although we didn't execute all of our planned programmings, we reinvented ourselves and practices. Some of these programs include community-wide drives, a Health Equity Pilot program, and assisting the World Central Kitchen outreach program. CUC partnered with Hampton Roads Made To Flourish City Network and the Office of Youth and Young Adult Opportunities to launch Marketplace Talks allowing citizens to discuss current events impacting our local, national, and international communities. Over 180 citizens participated in this program.  LGBTQ Awareness sponsored a mix & mingle event for intimate partner violence awareness, Rock Your Pride: Find Your Voice, with over 40 attendees. Movie Talks hosted 2 (intending to host 5) conversations with 86 new and returning participants. CUC staff was appointed as the Census Complete Count Committee to encourage residents to respond to the 2020 Census in Feb 2020. The Gen-Z Experience, the evolution of 400 years of Music, Art, Dance, and Culture in honor of the the1619-2019 Commemoration. The Baha’i Interfaith Prayer Gathering at Northampton Community Center received some push back. However, it resulted in a successful educational event. Standing in Solidarity on Behalf of our City was a conversation about civil unrest, peaceful protest, racially charged issues, and an economic downturn amongst a pandemic.  Latiesha provided summary reports for the following programs: Movie Talks, LGBTQ Awareness, Unity Awards, Hampton Diversity College, Unity Thought Arts, Youth Advisory Group, One City One Book, Hot Button "Fishbowl" Conversations, Circles of Diversity.  The Hampton Pledge created during the tenure of Mr. George Wallace (as the City Manager) shows our commitment and reaffirming our values towards diversity and inclusion as a city: I believe that every person has worth as an individual. I believe that every person is entitled to dignity and respect, regardless of race, color, religion, age, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity. I believe that every thought and every act of any prejudice is harmful to me as well as others. Therefore, from this day forward, I will strive to eliminate all types of prejudice from my thoughts and actions at every opportunity. I will treat all people with dignity and respect, and I will strive to honor this pledge, knowing that Hampton and the world will be better because of my effort. ***Commissioner Justin Carolina joined the meeting in-person***  Latiesha Handie opened the floor for any comments from the Commission. Commissioner Malik Perry added that he witnessed many of the programs that the department put on this year and despite the fact of the pandemic, he enjoyed them all. Latiesha shared a brief overview of the intersectionality of community ties between returning and newly appointed commissioners and how they align with the office's existing work. The following mentions were made: o Whalan McDew – Doo Gooders of Hampton Roads, the Shell Rd Corridor for the Boys & Girls Club, revitalization of local historic cemeteries 4  o Michael Harper – Neighborhood Commissioner – Aberdeen District 10 o Erica Spencer – Small & Minority Business Manager for the City, Community strategist o Jennifer Evans – Social media influencer o Shuntay Tarver – College Professor, facilitator during CUC programing o Ellen Shackelford – Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities, facilitator during CUC programing o Mary Wallace, Luretta Ray, Justin Carolina, Chris Grady, Barbara Washer, Malik Perry, Ellen Velissarios, Tamika Lett, Willie Anderson, Burley Gardner, Milton McDonald (past Commissioner) for their continued commitment in supporting CUC event planning as well as program support. Item 4: Facilitated discussion on local and national social justice movements & events  Latiesha Handie opened the floor to the Commission for a fruitful discussion concerning the room's varying views, perspectives, and experiences. Commissioners Michael Harper, Justin Carolina, Shuntay Tarver, Erica Spencer, Steven Wendell, Barbara Washer, Ellen Velissarios all made reflections. Item 5: Introduce discussion for roadmap planning & future meetings  Latiesha Handie explained that the traditionally planned programing for the department might look a little different this year. Realizing the community's needs has been altered such will provide the office's approach to the urgency of now. The Commission has agreed to continuous, in-person meetings, allowing for social-distancing and for the expressed purpose of important business. Additional planning and the sub-committee selections have been deferred to the next meeting. Announcements  CUC has partnered with Thomas Nelson Community College and the Good People Group to create ‘Voices That Vote’, an artistic podcast about your voting journey. The program will features community leaders who talk about the importance of voting. It includes local artists' musical performances and is part of a series of online broadcasts called "Just for GP, the Community Speaks." Go-Backs: Commissioners individually shared their respective professional job titles and descriptions. The extension of CUC officer terms will be discussed at the next meeting. Adjourned 7:46 pm Next Meeting Date and Time: Thursday, November 12, 2020, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm 5