Human Relations Commission

Lafayette HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION JAN 26, 2012 5:30 pm Board of Works Room -- City Hall NOTES Attendance: Jamile Palacios, Randy Studt, Christy Jones, Bryan Bell, Carina Atherton-Childress, Dewayne Moffitt, Joel Wright Staff: Aimee Jacobsen, Jacque Chosnek - legal ABSENT: Cheryl Harmon, C J Brown Guests: 1. Call to Order: 5:33 PM – Bryan Bell – Chair Recognized and introduced everyone present. 2. Introductions 3. Approve Minutes – Randy Studt Move – Wright/ Second - Palacios 4. Nominations/ Election of Officers Chair Bryan Bell Vice Chair DeWayne Moffitt Secretary Randy Studt Studt – moved by acclimation/ Wright second 5. Review Complaints since last meeting – A. Online Complaint – the form was not signed – and therefore not able to be acted upon/ was contacted and never returned. B. Employment complaint – did not indicate actual discrimination – it was suggested that he revise that complaint, but that was not received. C. We had to change the Lafayette City Action Center so that they could not file online, because there is no ability to sign electronically. 6. Old Business A. 2012 Calendar – JAN 26 / APR 26/ JUL 26/ OCT 25 at 5:30 PM B. Ordinance Sub-Committee – Atherton-Childress/ Studt to add age, gender identity-expression and veteran status to Human Relations Ordinance Drafting is relatively easy to accomplish - Chosnek Definition is needed for veteran status and gender identity Strategy is the more complicated - needs to be worked out with commission members and local citizens.  Committee will aim for April report…. Intent is to identify members of the community who fit into these categories for input. Age – Area IV Senior services, churches Veterans Status – Gender Identity – Pride Lafayette, TransLafayette Jacque – will check into definitions from West Lafayette/ Bloomington/ Indy to get a head start on drafting the sections needed. 7. New Business: Outreach: how do we make sure that people are aware that we exist and what services we can provide? DeWayne – started a conversation on that. We talked about the Facebook page, links on the city webpage, festivals and the brochures – are these current? List of the brochure locations is on the brochure. We could develop more outreach – companies, Diversity Roundtable, non-profits agency director meetings, YouTube videos. Sub-Committee: Outreach and Promotions Palacios/ Atherton-Childress/ Jones / Moffett volunteered Bryan met with Charlie Shook/ John Metzinger to discuss how to develop outreach and promotions. Tippecanoe Co. is already moving to get a subcommittee going to jointly branding outreach activities. Issues: Marketing and promotion strategies/ Budgeting through different entities (Lafayette Greater Commerce – grant opportunities and some dollars from City Marketing budget)/ promoting human rights as a welcoming community draw. Tippecanoe County Commission – has two people interested. West Lafayette will meet soon to discuss. Carina suggestion – an event where career/job/ housing fair – every so often – to welcome new people to the community. Maybe piggy-back on current events – for instance, Meet-the-Mayor events, job fair/ housing events. Pro-active "welcome wagon" kind of event. Bryan – we can take advantage of the synergy of the mayor's office and other organizations. AGENDA for APRIL – Strategy about the Ordinance Executive Session for Member training 8. Adjourn : MOVE Studt / 2nd Atherton-Childress 6:40 PM Next meeting: Thursday, APR 26, 2012 at 5:30 pm – Lafayette City Hall