Human Relations Committee

Laconia Human Relations Regular Monthly Meeting February 9, 2021 3PM – 4:30 via Zoom Agenda Welcome and Roll Call Review and Acceptance of December 8, 15 & 17, 2020 & January 12, 2021 Meeting Minutes Review and Acceptance of Financial Report – 2 nd quarter 2021 P P Old Business • MLK Jr Celebration – Review & Comments • Homeless Task Force New Business • Community Engagement Program - Carol • Hough Letter • Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, Isabel Wilkerson • Other business • Next Meeting March 9, 2021 at 3pm via Zoom Public Comment The public is invited to offer their opinions. Initially, they will be limited to four minutes until all have had an opportunity to speak. Each person is constrained to their time period or to ask questions of the committee. The public will be visible but muted until unmuted by the chair. Members of the public wishing to speak will use the “raise hand” option. Everyone is expected to speak respectfully of other people’s opinion. The Chair, at their discretion, may mute someone if they begin getting off topic or speaking disrespectfully. The meeting will end at 4:30pm. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note: The meeting will be held online through Zoom and will begin at 3pm although people are encouraged check in early and contact Glenn Smith, City of Laconia at 524-3877 x 225 or email at gsmith@laconianh.gov if you are having trouble connecting. 30TU U30T You are invited to a Zoom webinar. When: Feb 9, 2021 3:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Topic: Human Relations Commission Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81726253880?pwd=QnM2Z3JnNXBZb1FYRkJBajF2d2d4QT09 30T 30T Passcode: 045544 Or iPhone one-tap : US: +13126266799,,81726253880#,,,,*045544# or +16465588656,,81726253880#,,,,*045544# Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 558 8656 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782 Webinar ID: 817 2625 3880 Passcode: 045544 International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/keIFSvEtKL 30T 30T 9:44 AM LHRC 12/31/20 Balance Sheet Accrual Basis As of December 31, 2020 Dec 31, 20 ASSETS Current Assets Checking/Savings 10100 ꞏ LCI 3,398.62 Total Checking/Savings 3,398.62 Total Current Assets 3,398.62 TOTAL ASSETS 3,398.62 LIABILITIES & EQUITY Equity 30000 ꞏ Opening Balance Equity 2,475.62 32000 ꞏ Unrestricted Net Assets -1,097.00 Net Income 2,020.00 Total Equity 3,398.62 TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY 3,398.62 Page 1 9:43 AM LHRC 12/31/20 Profit & Loss Accrual Basis July through December 2020 Jul - Dec 20 Ordinary Income/Expense Income 43400 ꞏ Direct Public Support 43410 ꞏ Government Support 2,000.00 Total 43400 ꞏ Direct Public Support 2,000.00 Total Income 2,000.00 Expense 60900 ꞏ Expense 60130 ꞏ Yard Signs -20.00 Total 60900 ꞏ Expense -20.00 Total Expense -20.00 Net Ordinary Income 2,020.00 Net Income 2,020.00 Page 1  LHRC Democracy Forums We live in a time when our democracy is once more being tested. At our recent monthly meetings, we have talked creating ways to have the public engaged with our mission. Margaret proposed a Community Engagement Series which the Committee adopted last month. Carol proposes to begin by discussing and writing about what democracy means to us and others in Laconia and the Lakes Region. Democracy can be viewed as a political organizing structure in which the government is elected by citizens. Importantly, three ideas are important to the success of democracies: legal equality, political freedom, and rule of law. Democracy should not be confused with socialism, communism or capitalism which are economic organizing methods. For most people, democracy is also a value system. The nature and meaning of freedom are often central to what we believe. We give democracy meaning according to the values we acquire in our life experience, who we are, where we live, and how well we are doing, particularly financially. For some, none of these may be central to their definition. One thing for sure is that whatever our beliefs in and about democracy, they are held closely and dearly. Much has been said at recent LHRC meetings about coming together to discuss our role in focusing a public discussion on how democracy is understood and held within our community. It seems that our values and life experience might be a place to start a conversation in Laconia and the Lakes Region. From previous discussions by the Laconia Human Relations Committee, two forums for such community discussion are suggested for consideration: • Zoom public sessions with invitational panel, perhaps monthly for an initial 4 months. • A series of articles regularly offered in collaboration with the Laconia Daily Sun, perhaps weekly for 4 months Sun articles would be written by LHRC members, initiated by David Stamps, Carol Pierce, David Osman, and Margaret Donnelly. Articles would be about 300 words to initiate thought and discussion on a certain value, belief, or viewpoint about democracy. We do not expect that writers need to cover a vast amount of territory at any one time. Anything that we feel is important to add to a particular discussion can emerge over time. There is no rush. We would ask the Laconia Daily Sun to make this a definitive, known column sponsored by the LHRC. We would need to decide on a name for it. Suggested starting ideas for zoom and articles:  • Short stories about what democracy has meant to you or how it has influenced your life. • What do you think of when you hear the word democracy? • How being/living in a democracy has influenced your life? • What is important for you in defining democracy? • Is there something missing for you now about living in the U.S. as a democracy? We would hope that others would write to the Sun with their ideas and responses as some of us share our thoughts. Ideas from the public will stand as their beliefs and opinions. We will not be obligated to respond, though we will have the option of doing so. We are not here to argue. We are here to share and listen. Zoom sessions will be public with invited panel members of community leaders and activists to join us and include two or three from the LHRC. The subjects of our zoom forums may emerge from community responses. Writers of responses may be a source for participants to join the zoom sessions. The Community Engagement Committee to plan and organize this undertaking is open to all LHRC members. It is projected that planning for the first months need to be laid out. Members will determine the extent of their time involvement. Carol Pierce David Stamps