Human Relations Committee

Laconia Human Relations Committee December 10, 2024 Meeting Minutes I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Patrick Wood welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Laconia Human Relations Committee (LHRC). Committee member roll call was taken, a quorum was established, and the meeting was called to order at 3:38 pm. II. ATTENDANCE Present – Chair Patrick Wood, Carol Pierce, Matt Soza, David Osman, Heather Stanley, Kay Anderson, Patricia Okinedo, Carrie Chandler Excused – Mayor Andrew Hosmer, Rev. Judith Wright, Richard Littlefield, Scott Riger, Seifu Ragassa, Faith Pakasuk Zoom Guest – Donna McAdam, Mingle Café Organizer, Dover NH III. OLD BUSINESS Minutes Approval – Motion was made by David Osman, seconded by Heather Stanley, to accept the minutes of the November 12th, 2024 Laconia Human Relations Committee meeting; with no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously. Sub-Committee Work: Martin Luther King Jr Celebration (Pat reported for Judith)  Event is scheduled for Sunday, January 19th, 2-4p at the Colonial Theatre  Rev. Judith provided an email regarding event status  Question regarding $500 for police – Pat will clarify  Request for volunteers to help facilitate movie viewing at Laconia Library  More information needed regarding “raffle” o Is this a raffle asking for money or is it a give-away raffle? o Who would purchase or donate the books – committee is not prepared to authorize o Suggestions for flyer requested Endowment for Health Grant (Heather reported)  No committee update.  Set up meeting with Beth Vachon (LRMH), Heather and Pat.  Racism - Carol is working on this; would like to talk with Beth Vachon at LRMH for agency involvement. o NAACP – invite a representative to a future meeting via zoom.  Housing Concerns – Pat is working with the Housing Authority on a program idea at the Community College  Seacoast Outright – LGBTQ+ youth effort in Portsmouth; Pat will further research. 1  Banner Proposal (Patrick reported)  No updates – City Council has taken no further action.  Perhaps a petition? Pat will speak with a member of city council. Vigil/Signage  No updates Multicultural Festival (Pat reported for Rev. Judith) Board Meeting discussion included:  Hiring a New Director o Explored Becky’s interest in remaining Director, co-Directing, taking a piece of the role, mentoring or being finished completely with the festival. Becky would very much like to stay on and assist/coach whomever takes the position. o Discussed pay and timing of payments – nothing was decided. There was the suggestion to spread payments out if monies support this versus pay at the end. o There is one person interested. She and Becky had a discussion following the meeting. The big question remains payment. o It was suggested that whoever is hired – be invited to a LHRC meeting.  Festival Name Change Suggestion o LHRC is not in favor of eliminating the word “multicultural.” IV. NEW BUSINESS Donna McAdams joined the meeting at 4:20p via zoom. Donna facilitates the “Mingle Café” located in Dover. Donna started the “café” in 2017 in an effort to “make the world a little less divisive.” This gathering people are asked to sit at small tables with people they don’t know to discuss issues – some serious and some not. Four people sit to a table for 45 minutes; when the bell rings, they switch to a different table for 45 minutes. During discussions, they drink coffee and share a morning sweet. Since 2017, approximately 140 people have participated; never more than 30 at a time. It is held on Saturday mornings from 9 until 10:30 am and they have 5 or 6 events a year. She started by sending invites to 30 people and asked them to invite someone. About ¼ came from the church where held. She then started to collect emails. Donna also developed a flyer to post around the city. Guests brainstorm and make suggestions for topics: What are your hopes for the New Year? What is your favorite book and why? Why are you living in Dover – what brought you here? What kind of city do you want to live in? What does democracy mean to you? Carrie and David will approach the Belknap Mill to see if there is interest in starting a Laconia “Mingle Café.” 2  Yom HaShoah – Rabbi Katz and Pat met; the temple is planning a holocaust remembrance event at the end of April. V. PUBLIC COMMENTS There was opportunity but no public comments. VI. ADJOURNMENT The Meeting was adjourned by the chair at 5:03 pm. Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 14, 2025, room 200A, at 3:30 pm also via Zoom. Happy Holidays! Respectfully Submitted, Carrie Chandler, Secretary 3