Human Relations Committee

CITY OF LACONIA – HUMAN RELATIONS COMMITTEE June 18, 2019 - Quarterly Meeting City Hall Chambers MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER David Stamps welcomed everyone and called the meeting of the Laconia Human Relations Committee to order at 3:03 pm. Committee member introductions were made and a quorum was established. II. ATTENDANCE Present - Chair David Stamps, Mayor Ed Engler, Carol Pierce (via telephone), Rev. Judith Wright, Kate Bruchacova, Dennis Bothamley, Kathy James and Carrie Chandler Excused – David Osman, Janet Simmon, Ali Hassan, Matt Canfield III. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES A motion was made by Judith Wright, seconded by Dennis Bothamley, to accept the minutes of the March 19, 2019 meeting. A vote was taken, and with no opposition, the minutes were accepted as written. III. AGENDA • Committee Reports: o FINANCE David Stamps provided copies of the finance report which state a balance of $1,430.62 as of June 18, 2019. David met with the City Finance Director, as new committee chair, to verify the process meets city approval. Request for an additional $2,000 has been made for July 1, 2019. A motion was made by Ed Engler, seconded by Judith Wright, to accept the finance report. A vote was taken, and with no opposition, the report was accepted as written. 1 o CHAIR David Stamps reviewed a written report provided to the committee outlining a meeting held with Scott Myers dated March 29, 2019 which highlighted (see report for details). ▪ Need for consistency regarding meeting structure ▪ Include subcommittees when we post all committee meetings ▪ Draft minutes to be posted within 5 days of meeting ▪ Social media for announcement purposes only – no response ▪ We need to be mindful that we serve at the pleasure of the mayor – what we do reflects on this ▪ Public input procedure to be codified ▪ Committee size and makeup of committee ▪ Would like a vote to allocate $1500 to Multicultural Festival All agreed that this summary report is helpful and would like to receive it via email with the agenda moving forward. o LACONIA MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL David Stamps reported that the next LMF planning meeting is scheduled for June 20th at 4pm at the Belknap Mill. Volunteers are needed, especially for the day of the event. o COMMUNICATIONS Committee met in March, and again in June, to talk about a quick, inexpensive way to get word out to the community about the work of the Laconia Human Relations Committee. As a first step, the group is recommending a yard sign with a distinctive LHRC design and slogan “Everyone is welcome in Laconia” that could perhaps be used as a brand in other ways (ie. t-shirts). Geri Bothamley created the design and did a fantastic job. Dennis has researched signage price and requested authority to purchase 100 signs. Judith Wright made a motion, seconded by Kathy James, to allocate (not to exceed) $300 towards the purchase of signs – to be sold at $10 each. With no further discussion, the motion passed. o MARTIN LUTHER KING JR CELEBRATION It was agreed to wait until the September meeting (after Multi-Cultural Day) to begin planning for the 2020 Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. 2  o IMMIGRANT INTEGRATION INITIATIVE Kate Bruchacova talked about the workforce shortage of foreign students to help with the hospitality industry and local farming. Kate is available to meet with students who may be struggling with anything. Students from Turkey were unable to obtain VISAs this summer. A few years ago, Matt Canfield would go to the resorts where the students were working to talk about various safety issues. Beans and Greens expressed interest in an End of Season Appreciation/Celebration – funding is a barrier. Group discussed a Mid-Summer Meet and Greet – involve community members, churches, LRHRC. Perhaps survey the businesses to see what might work best. o INTERNATIONAL FILM SERIES Carol Pierce reported that the International Film Night takes a break in the summer, but there are several new films to borrow from the Laconia Public Library. Some of the films include: The Color of Freedom, My Love Don’t Cross the River, The Cut, Lion. IV. OLD BUSINESS Conversation then occurred about making public statements towards intolerance. The committee agreed to focus on positive messages rather than react. It is a challenge to expand beyond this due to the size of the committee and the frequency of meetings. V. NEW BUSINESS Social Media Policy - Ed Engler made the motion, seconded by Denny, to post announcements only, so as not to promulgate ideas or encourage commentary of any kind. With no further discussion, all were in favor and the motion passed. Taping of Meetings – Committee agreed not to tape meetings. Multi-Cultural Day Appropriation – Judith Wright made the motion, seconded by Kathy James, to appropriate $1500 for Multi-Cultural Day (contingent upon receiving $2000 from the City this new fiscal year). With no further discussion, all were in favor and the motion passed. Size of the Committee – the Mayor provided a summary of how appointments have been made in the past. Question was raised should the group become independent from the City. There was discussion around an upper limit of 12 or 15 members. Carol Pierce stated that the diversity of the committee is crucial to the work. It was decided to revisit this within the Mission Statement. Motion was made by Kathy James, seconded by Denny Bothamley, to establish a Membership Committee with Carol Pierce as Chair, Kathy James and David Stamps. David Osman was 3  suggested but not in attendance. Margaret Donnelly, a frequent guest at meetings, graciously agreed to serve on this sub-committee. VI. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments. VII. ADJOURNMENT With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 4:31p by the Chair. Next meeting will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019, 3p at Laconia City Hall – change of room to 201-B. Respectfully Submitted, Carrie Chandler, Recording Secretary LACONIA HUMAN RELATIONS COMMITTEE MISSION To: a) Cultivate a community-wide climate that does not tolerate prejudice of any kind which undermines the dignity of any person. b) Educate ourselves and our children about the presence and dehumanizing impact of any prejudicial attitudes that are currently at work in our community. c) Promote, in as many segments of our community life as is possible, policies and practices which encourage and demand equal opportunity and responsibility for all people. d) Proactively resist and publicly condemn any practices or incidents in our community which either result from or might encourage prejudice, intolerance, harassment and discrimination. 4