Blue Ribbon Commission

HENDERSON BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION ON EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE AND YOUTH OPPORTUNITY MINUTES September 17, 2014 I. CALL TO ORDER Karie Teruya, Recording Secretary called the meeting of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Educational Excellence and Youth Opportunity to order at 4:08 p.m. in the City Hall Annex Conference Room, 280 Water Street, Henderson, Nevada 89015. II. CONFIRMATION OF POSTING AND ROLL CALL Karie Teruya, Recording Secretary, confirmed the meeting has been noticed in compliance with the Open Meeting Law by posting the Agenda three working days prior to the meeting at City Hall, the Multigenerational Center, the Whitney Ranch Recreation Center, and Fire Station No. 86, and by mailing a copy of the Agenda to everyone appearing thereon the Agenda Master Mailing List. Present: Haylee Stephens, Chairperson Jeanne Bowers Christin Griffin Hunter Harris Liliana Miller Teddy Osantowski Rachel Oshiro McKenzie Rader Emily Ruliffson Shelby Sanchez Anita Wong Absent: Adrian Canty (excused) Paula Driscoll Staff: Mark Backus, Assistant City Attorney III Karie Teruya, Recording Secretary Kurt Williams, Staff Representative Guests: Chris Lenge Cheyenne Roberts Wednesday, September 17, 2014 – Minutes Page 2 of 6 III. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comments were presented. IV. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA (Motion) Ms. Stephens introduced a motion to accept the agenda as presented, seconded by Ms. Ruliffson. The vote favoring approval was unanimous. Ms. Teruya declared the motion carried. V. NEW BUSINESS 1 ELECTION PUBLIC WORKS, PARKS AND RECREATION Elect new Chairperson. (Motion) Ms. Teruya called for nominations for chairperson. Ms. Osantowski nominated Ms. Stephens for the office of chairperson of the Blue Ribbon Commission. Ms. Stephens nominated Ms. Oshiro for the office of chairperson of the Blue Ribbon Commission. The vote favoring Ms. Stephens was unanimous. Ms. Teruya declared the motion carried. 2 ELECTION PUBLIC WORKS, PARKS AND RECREATION Elect new Vice Chairperson. (Motion) Chairperson Stephens called for nominations for vice chairperson. Ms. Rader nominated Ms. Oshiro for the office of vice chairperson. Chairperson Stephens nominated Mr. Harris for the office of vice chairperson. The vote favoring Ms. Oshiro was unanimous. Chairperson Stephens declared the motion carried. Wednesday, September 17, 2014 – Minutes Page 3 of 6 3 MINUTES PUBLIC WORKS, PARKS AND RECREATION Adopt minutes of August 20, 2014. (Motion) Mr. Harris introduced a motion to adopt the minutes of August 20, 2014 as submitted, seconded by Ms. Miller. The vote favoring approval was unanimous. Chairperson Stephens declared the motion carried. 4 FINALIZE COLLEGE NIGHT PLANS PUBLIC WORKS, PARKS AND RECREATION Discuss and approve College Night. Chairperson Stephens stated that College Night will be on September 30, 2014, at the Black Mountain Recreation Center. Mr. Williams informed the Commission that he spoke with Shamren Fletcher of College Connections who is willing to be a speaker as she has a company that helps students get scholarships and get what they need, how to do it, and most importantly, she said, “It’s not about what they charge, it’s about what you pay to go to college; it’s negotiable”. Ms. Griffin learned a lot from Ms. Fletcher from last year’s College Night and stated the number one way to get to college is to get good grades. Ms. Wong asked if the speaker could inform students about filling out the FASFA form. Chairperson Stephens asked if someone can speak about what to do if you are undecided about what you want to do in college. Mr. Williams passed around a poster from GoToCollege.org that shows that college planning starts from kindergarten. Mr. Williams also distributed College Night flyers and rack cards to the Commission to take it to their schools and hand them out. Ms. Osantowski asked the student commission members to take the flyers back to their schools and hand them out to students as it is through them that bring in the attendees to College Night. Mr. Williams asked Commission members to wear their Blue Ribbon Commission polo shirts or business casual attire to College Night and stated about 60 people attended last year’s event. (Motion) Ms. Miller introduced a motion to have Ms. Fletcher as a speaker for College Night and to contact GoToCollege.org to see if they can send a representative Wednesday, September 17, 2014 – Minutes Page 4 of 6 to speak at College Night, seconded by Ms. Osantowski. The vote favoring approval was unanimous. Chairperson Stephens declared the motion carried. 5 DISCUSS LEADERSHIP DAY PUBLIC WORKS, PARKS AND RECREATION Discuss and approve Leadership Day preparation. Chairperson Stephens briefed the Commission on last year’s Leadership Day in which they invited students from their school to attend workshops. Last year, the theme was “Step Up,” which included three workshops. Chairperson Stephens asked the Commission to come up with a theme and decide if they want to have guest speakers for Leadership Day. (Motion) Ms. Rader introduced a motion to have Leadership Day during the week of April 6-10, 2015, seconded by Ms. Miller. The vote favoring approval was unanimous. Chairperson Stephens declared the motion carried. Chairperson Stephens called for possible themes for Leadership Day and gave examples of previous years’ themes such as a couple of years ago was “Touch Henderson, Touch the World” in which they chose five organizations, and how you can make a difference. Ms. Wong stated when she first started on the Commission, the theme was, Time for Change” and one year they had P.R.I.D.E. which stood for Presentation, Respect, Image, Dedication and Etiquette. Mr. Williams asked the Commission to brainstorm about the theme for Leadership Day and to think about what is happening in the world today and what inspires them. Chairperson Stephens shared with the group that right now, their generation is moving so fast and life in general is going by so quickly, they need to slow down and appreciate and look out for people and let them know they are important. That in turn will encourage them to do something and add a personal aspect to leadership. Ms. Ruliffson likes the personal theme and self-worth, and said many are too shy and lack confidence. She also stated that they need to care about yourself and show others you care about them. Chairperson Stephens stated that people need to know it’s ok to ask for help and make mistakes. Mr. Williams suggested a theme, “I messed up, now what?” Mr. Williams suggested to keep this on next month’s agenda and to check with their friends about what they think a leader should be and who they look Wednesday, September 17, 2014 – Minutes Page 5 of 6 towards as role models. Ms. Griffin suggested the Commission come back and elaborate or come up with another idea and have a theme by the next meeting. Ms. Osantowski suggested that it’s understanding who we are, and how it comes together, and to think of a title that brings all aspects of a person in to existence. Chairperson Stephens suggested “Connections with Yourself and Other People and Building Relationships” as a possible theme for Leadership Day. 6 DISCUSS AND APPROVE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES PUBLIC WORKS, PARKS AND RECREATION Discuss and approve possible volunteer opportunities for the Blue Ribbon Commission. Chairperson Stephens stated at the last meeting they discussed volunteering at Trunk or Treat on October 25, at Black Mountain Recreation Center; set up begins at 3:30 p.m., the event starts at 6:00 p.m. and clean up at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Williams added that Trunk or Treat is a carnival-type event in which participants decorate their cars, pass out candy and may also include directing traffic, and or dressing up in costume. Mr. Williams stated in the past, the Commission would volunteer as a group or they could volunteer on your own. Mr. Williams will find out the dates for the next tree planting and dates for serving food at the senior centers for Thanksgiving and Christmas and bring it to the next meeting. VI. CHAIRMAN\MEMBER COMMENTS Ms. Rader stated she is moving to Ohio next month and can no longer be on the Commission but would like to help out with the Commission until she moves and will help find a replacement. Ms. Griffin said she will be missed. Ms. Osantowski asked if the Commission could get mementos to give to members who served on the Commission as a token of appreciation. Chairperson Stephens asked when her applicant she recommended for the Blue Ribbon Commission would be notified. Mr. Williams stated he will contact him tomorrow. Ms. Griffin asked what time should they be at College Night? Mr. Williams Wednesday, September 17, 2014 – Minutes Page 6 of 6 responded, 5:00 p.m. VII. SET NEXT MEETING The next meeting was set for October 15, 2014, at 4:00 p.m. in the City Hall Annex Recreation Conference Room. VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comments were presented. IX. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 5:13 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ___________________ Karie Teruya Recording Secretary