Human Relations Committee

Laconia Human Relations Committee Laconia City Hall – Room 200A October 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 3:45pm. II. ATTENDANCE Present – Chair David Stamps, David Osman, Matt Soza, Trish Weatherbee, Janet Simmons, Rev. Judith Wright, Pat Wood and Carrie Chandler Present via Zoom – Kate Bruchacova, Trish Weatherbee Excused – Carrie Chandler, Rev. Judith Wright, Seifu Ragassa, Janet Simmon III. OLD BUSINESS Minutes Approval – A motion was made by Trish Weatherbee, seconded by David Osman, to accept the minutes of the September 12, 2022 Laconia Human Relations Committee; with no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously. A More Perfect Union Article Series  Article #6 – Incomplete Multi-Cultural Day – September 10th  Trish Weatherbee and Janet Simmons have not yet reached out to Becky to offer some ideas of support. Vigil – October 2nd  There was some general discussion about the recent vigil in response to the swastika incidents and the community response and feedback was thought to be good. IV. NEW BUSINESS MLK Day  Elaine Morrison suggested that the HRC might want to consider involving itself in a project involving local visual artists depicting hopelessness, despair, domestic violence, etc. and a general discussion about how to possibly couple those difficult emotions and feelings with Dr. King’s messages and possibly have a community event and associated exhibit at be Belknap Mill on or around The Dr. King Holiday on January15, 2023. Chairman Stamps will try to coordinate a meeting with a subcommittee David Osman, David Stamps, Kay Anderson, Elaine Morrison and someone at the Belknap Mill and to bring back a more specific and defined program proposal for Committee review. 1  Underground Railroad  David Stamps will review a book about the history of Abolition and the Underground Railroad in Vermont by Michelle Arnosky Sherburne to see if having the author speak at MLK day would be a worthwhile program. David will review this with the Committee after his review of the treatise. Rally Support  There was a motion, which was seconded, to have the HRC indicate its support for an upcoming 11/1/22 protest against white nationalist attacks and threats against women and minority owned businesses. The motion passed unanimously. Formalities  There was some general discussion about municipalities making formal statements, proclamations, resolutions, etc. condemning hate crimes and bias incidents and how and when these should be reported and how the adopted vision and mission statement of the HRC relates to this. No formal action was taken but its importance was duly noted. V. PUBLIC COMMENTS There was no one present for public comment. VI. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 4:35p by Chair David Stamps. Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 14, 2022, 3:30p, City Hall Room 200A and via zoom invite. Respectfully Submitted, David Osman, Secretary, pro tem 2