Commission on the Social Status of African-American Males

Minutes Michigan City Commission on The Social Status Of African American Males Wednesday, January 14, 2015 Commissioners Present Commissioners Absent Marty Corley Faye Moore, Excused Willie Milsap Albertine Allen Joan Ganschow Rodney Washington Arthur Payne Duane Perry Lester Norvell James Stemmler, Resigned Gerry Jones Nila Williams Edward Carnes Others Present Andy Steele – Cameraman Terry Woodard Earl Cunningham CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 12:05pm by Commissioner Arthur Payne, Jr. ROLL CALL: Acting Secretary, Commissioner Gerry Jones called the roll. Minutes reflect attendance and absences. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Payne stated the minutes of the December 2014 meeting will be approved at the February meeting due to the secretary’s absence. He informed the Commission that Commissioner Faye Moore was absent due to being admitted to the hospital. EXECUTIVE BOARD NOMINATIONS: Commissioner Payne asked for three volunteers to serve on the nominating committee to prepare a slate of officers for February meeting. Commissioners Willie Milsap, Lester Norvell and Joan Ganschow volunteered. They will meet and report their slate in February. TREASURER’S REPORT: Commissioner Corley stated he did not have a written report to submit, but will have it prepared for the February meeting. PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Commissioner Payne stated that a letter was sent out to Commissioners who had attendance concerns in 2014. He wanted a response from them as to whether they wanted to continue serving in 2015. Commissioner Milsap stated he wanted to remain on Commission. Commissioner Payne has not received any word from Commissioner Washington and James Stemmler stated he had resigned from Commission in 2014. Several Commissioners are up for renewal in 2015 and must submit reappointment letters from their respective agencies before the next meeting. 1 Letters are needed for Commissioners Willie Milsap (Swanson Center); Rodney Washington (Mayor); Edward Carnes (Ministerial Association); Gerry Jones (HOPE); and Albertine Allen (Minority Health Coalition). Commissioner Payne informed Commissioner Norvell that his term will expire soon and that he will need a letter from the Mayor by March. COMMITTEES: 1. Commissioner Corley stated that the Resource Center site at New Hope was progressing. No other news. Commissioner Payne asked if they can better market the services, ie agency websites, city website, etc. Commissioner Corley gave the site schedules: Monday - Redeemed Fellowship Tuesday - Pleasant Hill Wednesday - HOPE Thursday - New Hope 2. Terry Woodard said the after school program has not started yet. He said the Neighborhood Center Site has not yet approved his request to use their facility. He said he will meet with them on Tuesday, January 20, 2015. He is to report back to the Commission if he needs support. He is planning a new curriculum to encompass Black History Month and to get more male mentors. Commissioner Corley mentioned the 100 Black Men Academy in South Bend as a model. He further stated that the Executive Committee met to discuss Mr. Woodard’s extensive work with the after school program with no compensation. He made a motion to give Mr. Woodard a $500.00 stipend for his services with the after school program. Commissioner Milsap seconded. Motion passed. 3. Commissioner Carnes brought the updated information on HOPE. He stressed that HOPE wants the site to be a real community center. 4. Commissioner Williams informed the Commission that she was not reappointed to the Human Rights Commission, so she will not continue serving on this Commission. She reported on HealthLinc. She said they are still presenting information on the Market Place Enrollments. The public can call 1-888-580-1060 for information. They will be partnering with the Minority Health Coalition to get translators for the Hispanic community on January 26, 2015 at the Minority Health Coalition Office, which is in the Michigan Township Trustee Office. They will be discussing the Affordable Care Act. 5. Commissioner Ganschow said there are several new leaders for the Department of Corrections in this area. Mr. Levenhagen has been transferred to Indianapolis. She is not familiar with the replacements. 6. Commissioner Norvell recommended we start looking for fundraising activities to replenish the funds that we are using. 7. Commissioner Milsap said he agreed with Commissioner Norvell’s suggestion. Commissioner Payne emphasized we start something soon. Commissioner Milsap then asked that the secretary, Commissioner Moore be asked to send out the list of all committees and their chairs. He informed the Commission that the County Resource Center is still in operation Monday through Friday, 9:00am -4:00pm. 2  The phone number is 219-214-6479 and is located in a new site at 1601 E. Michigan Blvd. The first event for 2015 is a Pro Bono legal session. The date is not set yet, but he thinks it will be in February. It will be announced when scheduled. He then asked that we all congratulate Commissioner Corley for being the 2015 recipient of the Paul Alinsky Award from the Rotary Club. 8. Commissioner Corley then gave a report from the Human Rights Commission. He said they had partnered with Michigan City High School to take 180 freshmen students to see the movie Selma on MLK Day. He said the theater had given them a special rate of $900.00 for the 180 students. He then asked the Commission to also partner with the other two agencies and donate $300 towards the $900.00. Commissioner Milsap made a motion to approve the $300.00 donation. It was seconded by Commissioners Ganchow and Carnes. Motion passed. 9. Commissioner Corley then distributed a report from the Michigan City Black History Month Committee. The Committee was created to plan a month full of activities that commemorate and celebrate Black History Month in Michigan City. The activities include a kick-off brunch, talent show, career/entrepreneur expo, and a dinner/dance. This committee stemmed from the Social Factors Committee. The total cost for the events is estimated to be about $5,000.00. He is asking the Commission to donate half of the cost ($2500.00) and the other 8 organizations will donate the other $2500.00. Commissioner Payne expressed concerned about the Commission committing to $2500. Several Commissioners stated that we didn’t want to spend all of our monies and not have anything for future projects. After much discussion, Commissioner Ganschow made a motion to approve the request for $2500.00. There was no second to the motion. Motion died. The Commission expressed its support of the events, but not at the rate requested. Other suggestions included: Revise activities, look at other needs of the Commission, use different venues that will cost less, etc. 10. Mr. Earl Cunningham spoke briefly about Indiana Code – Section 10-14-3-17, County Emergency Management Advisory Council. Due to the lateness of the time, he did not have a chance to discuss in depth the purpose and function of the Council. However, he said there are some very specific agencies that should serve on that council. He urged the Commissioners to look up the code, read it and think of agencies that should serve on the Council. He offered to come back next month and discuss the importance of this in depth. Commissioner Corley made a motion to adjourn the meeting. It was seconded by Commissioner Williams. Motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 1:20pm. Respectfully Submitted, Gerry H. Jones Acting Secretary 3