Human Relations Committee

Laconia Human Relations Committee April 11, 2022 - Meeting Minutes I. CALL TO ORDER David Stamps welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Laconia Human Relations Committee. Committee member roll call was taken, a quorum was established, and the meeting was called to order at 3:33pm. II. ATTENDANCE Present – Chair David Stamps, Matt Soza, David Osman, Kay Anderson, Pat Wood, Carrie Chandler Present via Zoom – Carol Pierce, Rev. Judith Wright, Kate Bruchacova Excused – Mayor Andrew Hosmer, Trish Weatherbee, Janet Simons, Seifu Ragassa III. OLD BUSINESS Minutes Approval – A motion was made by David Osman, seconded by Matt Soza, to accept the minutes of the March 14, 2022 Laconia Human Relations Committee and of the March 29, 2022 meeting. With no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously. Laconia Multi-Cultural Day – there was some discussion about planning for a smaller event this year but final decision is to cancel for this fall and to start planning as soon as possible for next year’s event. The key is finding someone to organize the event in response to Becky Guyer’s retirement. A job description and manual/checklist would be helpful moving forward. The committee is appreciative of all Becky did these past years. Concord will host their event September 18th, 2022. Belknap Mill Presentation – during September, the Mill will host the History of the Jewish Community in Laconia. Democracy Articles – there was discussion regarding the first two articles of the series, “Towards a More Perfect Union” and “What Does Freedom Mean in a Society Governed by Laws?” Pat Wood made a motion, seconded by Matt Soza, and the committee voted to approve the first two articles as written. The committee was asked to re-read the remaining articles and to provide any additional feedback to David Stamps so the sub-committee may refine and finalize with a goal of May 9th. The committee would like to ensure that there is some time in between the articles (but not too much time) for community thought and comment. The goal is to have a skilled facilitator oversee a forum after all the articles have been published so a community discussion may occur. David Stamps will talk with the Daily Sun about the execution of this project. IV. NEW BUSINESS Community Discussion Ideas  Invite Ken Burns to the Colonial to view his documentary ‘The US and the Holocaust’  Pulitzer Prize Winner, Isabel Wilkerson is open to coming to Laconia to discuss her book “Caste: The Origins of our Discontents.” 1 V. PUBLIC COMMENTS There was no one present for public comment. VI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by Chair David Stamps 4:55p. Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 9, 2022, 3:30p, City Hall Room 200A and via zoom invite. Respectfully Submitted, Carrie Chandler, Recording Secretary 2