Human Relations Committee

Laconia Human Relations Committee Monthly Meeting July 8, 2024 - Monday 3:30pm – 5:00 pm City Hall Rm 200A & Zoom Agenda Welcome Roll Call Review and Acceptance of June 10 , 2024, Meeting Minutes - attached Work Groups  MLK Event Committee  Endowment for Health Committee  Banners/flags on City Property Committee  Rally/Sign Committee  Vision and Mission Statement Committee Old Business  Multicultural Festival  Financial Report New Business  Other Business  Public Input  Next Meeting Room 200A, Monday August 12, 2024, at 3:30 pm also 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. Everyone is expected to speak respectfully. If on Zoom, 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. ------------------------------------------------------ Note: The meeting will also be held online through Zoom and will begin at 3:30pm although people are encouraged to check in early. You are invited to a Zoom webinar. Topic: Human Relations Commission Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81922296874?pwd=M0E4a1pES0VGV0Rsa1hmT0ZDU3Bmdz09 Passcode: 793636 Or One tap mobile: US: +16465588656,81922296874#,,,*793636# or +13017158592,,81922296874#,,,,*793636# Or Telephone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 646 558 8656 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 Webinar ID: 819 2229 6874 Passcode: 793636 International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/k661pCha  Laconia Human Relations Committee June 10, 2024 Meeting Minutes I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Patrick Wood 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 3:35 pm. II. ATTENDANCE Present – Chair Patrick Wood, Carol Pierce, Matt Soza, Janet Simmon, Kay Anderson, Heather Stanley, Patricia Okinedo, Faith Pakasuk and Carrie Chandler Excused – Mayor Andrew Hosmer, Richard Littlefield, Rev. Judith Wright, David Osman and Seifu Ragassa Zoom Guest – David Stamps III. OLD BUSINESS Minutes Approval – Motion was made by Matt Soza, seconded by Faith Pakasuk, to accept the minutes of the May 13th, 2024 Laconia Human Relations Committee meeting (LHRC); with no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously. Sub-Committee Work: Martin Luther King Jr Celebration (Patrick reported for Judith) • Committee met – will explore asking NH native Dr. Larry Benaquist, currently a professor at Keane State College, to be the featured speaker. Dr. Benaquist’s story has been made into a movie entitled “Lost Boundaries” (1949). A black man who practiced medicine in Keene while being perceived as white. • Show the movie at the Library, Colonial and/or Public Access Endowment for Health (Heather reported) • First event held at Lakes Region Mental Health Annual Art show fundraiser • There was newspaper and radio advertising related to the grant • A few comments were gathered by participants: o “What would you want more information about?” o “What change would you like to see in your Community?”  • Mayor Hosmer – gave a heartfelt address about the struggles of mental health and the importance of community. • Organizations who receive grant funding may benefit from a framework to outline future events to work within the grant intention to foster trust-building around difficult topics through community interaction/engagement. Carrie will work on this. • Round tables encouraged. • Patrick will reach out to others who have received grant funding to see how they are strategizing around this. 1 Banner Proposal (Patrick reported) • City Council voted to separate the flag policy from banner policy. • Policies to be forwarded to Insurance company for review – and then the Government Operations Committee; then hopefully the banner policy subcommittee for collaboration. Vigil/Signage (Matt reported) • Good newspaper coverage and content. • Approximately 8-9 attendees at each rally. • Sign content is positive – “unity,” “tolerance.” • Many thumbs up – one negative comment. • Kay has a friend who can help with future signage. • Do one more rally before fall. • Richard’s letter was not published because it contained PSA information. We appreciate Richard writing the letter and will know this moving forward. Vision & Mission Statement Review (Janet Simmon and David Osman) • To be continued Multicultural Festival (David reported) • Fundraising is going well. • Still looking for vendors. • $1500 request submitted for consideration (July). Individual Incident – Individual concern regarding COVID issue. Trish has now resigned from the committee so no further information or action. IV. NEW BUSINESS None V. PUBLIC COMMENTS There was opportunity but no public comments. VI. ADJOURNMENT The Meeting was adjourned by the chair at 4:55pm. Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 8th, 2024, room 200A, at 3:30 pm also via Zoom. Respectfully Submitted, Carrie Chandler, Secretary