Human Relations Committee

Laconia Human Relations Committee August 12 , 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 3:30 pm. II. ATTENDANCE Present – Chair Patrick Wood, Carol Pierce, Matt Soza, Rev. Judith Wright, Heather Stanley, Richard Littlefield, Scott Ringer and Carrie Chandler Excused – Mayor Andrew Hosmer, David Osman, Kay Anderson, Patricia Okinedo, Faith Pakasuk and Seifu Ragassa Guest – Trish Wetherbee Zoom Guest – David Stamps III. OLD BUSINESS Minutes Approval – Minutes of the July 8, 2024 Laconia Human Relations Committee meeting were approved with no changes. Financials Committee:  Committee received $2000 on July 1, 2024.  $1500 expended to Laconia Multicultural Festival.  Current balance is $2969.94. Grant:  Current balance is $19,500. Sub-Committee Work: Martin Luther King Jr Celebration (Rev, Judith reported)  A meeting was held on July 31st; minutes distributed.  The committee has been pursuing additional funding for the event; which is not eligible for grant monies because the committee is not a 501c3.  The celebration will have 3 events for people to dialoging with each other – this is a wonderful event to increase “a better sense of belonging.”  Per unanimous vote made at July LHRC meeting – “to appro priate, the sum of not more than $3,225.00, from the NH Endowment for Health grant to pay the rental costs of the Colonial Theater and other expenses for the 2025 MLK Event, with the understanding that there shall be attempts to raise the necessary funds from other sources, and provided that the NH Endowment for Health grant committee agrees with this expenditure from the grant. ” –  the subcommittee shall move forward with securing the Colonial Theatre venue.  Still awaiting answer from Concord Hospital–Laconia regarding sponsorship.  Future years – consider MLK Celebration in strategic/budgetary planning. Endowment for Health Grant (Heather reported)  A meeting was held on August 8th; meeting minutes distributed.  Next project – “Human Library” – would work with Laconia Library  Mental health project – sign out an expert.  Build community engagement through the library setting.  HumanLibrary.Org for more information.  Next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 12th, 3pm at the Laconia Housing Authority Conference Room. Banner Proposal (Patrick reported)  City Council has taken no further action.  Pat will ask for a meeting.  Carrie contacted the Opera House to see if they would consider hanging the pride banner our committee originally purchased for City Hall next June. She will continue to reach out. Vigil/Signage (Matt reported)  One more vigil is planned in cooler weather – to be determined. Vision & Mission Statement Review  Unless there are suggestions at this time – statements stand as written. Multicultural Festival (David Stamps reported)  Per David – Tamara is resigning as co-chair.  Festival is scheduled for September 7th. IV. NEW BUSINESS Non-Partisan Candidate Forum – an event will be sponsored by the Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Church at the Belknap Mill (3rd floor) on October 15th 7-9 pm. House, Senate and Executive Council candidates invited. The committee agreed to go on record as a supporter of this engagement event. Endowment for Health Grant Criteria – proposal was distributed for discussion at September meeting. V. PUBLIC COMMENTS  There was opportunity but no public comments. VI. ADJOURNMENT The Meeting was adjourned by the chair at 4:32 pm. Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 9 th, 2024, room 200A, at 3:30 pm also via Zoom. Respectfully Submitted, Carrie Chandler, Secretary