Commission on the Social Status of African-American Males

MICHIGAN CITY COMMISSION ON THE SOCIAL STATUS OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN MALES Mr. Arthur Payne Ms. Joan Ganschow Mrs W. Faye Moore Mr. Marty Corley Chairman Vice-Chairman Secretary Treasurer MINUTES OF MEETING September 12, 2018 Commissioners Present: Commissioners Absent: Marty Corley Rae Isbell/Gerry Jones Gene Simmons, Council Liaison Nila Williams (AE) Willie Milsap Sean Fritzpatrick Faye Moore Joan Ganschow Rev. Dennis Carroll Arthur Payne, Jr. Rev. Edward D. Carnes, Sr. Mario Rosa Lester Norvell Also Present: Andy Steel, Cameraman Carl Ridle, Executive Director M. C. Human Rights Department Mrs. Jerry Montgomery, Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Regional Advisor MISSION STATEMENT: To identify and recommend public remedies to increase, broaden and improve the economic, educational, social and professional status of the African-American male locally. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at approximately 12:01 pm by Commissioner Arthur Payne, Jr., Chair. ROLL CALL: Commissioner W. Faye Moore called the roll and the minutes reflect attendance and absences. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion made by Commissioner Rev. Dennis Carroll to accept the minutes. Motion seconded by commissioner Willie Milsap. Motion Carried. No Nays TREASURER’S REPORT: (Commissioner Marty Corley) 7/16/18 MC Soul Steppers Taste of MC Performance- $2,500.00 Left a balance of $11,999.03 7/18/18 Westside Reunion-Juneteenth Celebration - $150 - Balance: $11,849.03 8/6/18 2018 Back to School Rally - $250.00 Balance $11,599.03 Pending: MC Human Rights Luncheon ($250.00) Ending Balance: $11,349.03 as of 9/12/18 Commissioner Marty Corley passed out information on Michigan City Basketball League. There was a request to assist MC basketball league to continue their goals and program with a donation of $500.00. Commissioner Lester Norvell made a motion to donate $500. Commissioner Milsap seconded the motion. Motion passed. There were no nays. 1 Commissioner Mario Rosa made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report. Commissioner Milsap seconded the motion. Motion passed to accept treasurer’s report as presented. SPEAKER: Mrs. Montgomery has been actively working with the American Red Cross and the La Porte County Red Cross for seventeen years. The American Red Cross is still available to La Porte County even though there is no office being manned Monday through Friday. Local contact number: Merrillville (219) 756- 5360 or www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/home-fire. Mrs. Montgomery passed out information on, Is Your Organization Prepared For Disasters? Check out the ReadyRating.org and become a member, take the assessment, create your emergency action plan and stay prepared! Along with the Ready Rating information was information on how to conduct a Quick Drill – Active Shooter. This was a very interesting and inspiring speaker, please watch on Alco. OLD BUSINESS: a. An announcement was made at the last Commission meeting about a group of young men who wanted to share some information on Re-Entry Circle. Commissioner Payne set-up a meeting at H.O.P.E. Commissioner Moore passed out information on the Reentry Circle– NAEFI that meets every Saturday at 10:00 a.m.-Noon at Sankofa Art and Culture Center- 5820 W. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL. This reentry circle is a community circle that supports the families of the formerly incarcerated. The circle is a safe place for members of the community (businesses, agencies and residence) to come and get support, and information on reentry issues. Commissioner Payne would like for the Criminal Justice Committee to meet, look over the material and bring back ideas as to how this Commission might be able to assist a group in starting such a group here in Michigan City. b. African-garden – Commissioner Payne passed around the lay-out of the garden, which will be at the International Friendship Garden on Highway 12. Beachside landscaping has provided us with the plans, which type of flowers and this layout. They are asking $2,000 down payment to get it started. Commissioner Payne would like for this project to become a community project and hold a community forum or town hall meeting inviting the Black Churches, Organizations who are similar to ours, Human Rights Commission, gardeners’, etc. People we think would like to see an African-American garden at Friendship Gardens. There was lots of discussion about the $2,000 price tag. Commissioner Moore made a motion to pay $2,000 to get the garden started. Motion seconded by Rev. Dennis Carroll. Motion passed. Commissioner Lester Norvell voted “nay.” NEW BUSINESS: Let’s start a fund raising committee. The following agreed to be on the fund raising committee- Faye Moore, Willie Milsap, Arthur Payne, Jr., Rev. Dennis Carroll. We will try to set-up a meeting for next week. ROUNDTABLE and/or COMMITTEE REPORTS: Flyer: Redeemed Fellowship Church –Bike A- Thon – All Proceeds go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Saturday, September 15, 2018. Starts at: 10:00 a.m. –Striebel Pond -5560 N. 1100 W., Michigan City, IN REGISTRATION FEE: $10.00 DONATION PER CYCLIST. For more info, call: Redeemed Fellowship Church at 219-871-0011 Commissioner Willie Milsap: Passed out flier on: Circle City Classic (Howard University vs. Bethune Cookman University) at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN on: SEPTEMBER 22, 2018 For more information contact Pat Harris (IBE) (219) 380-3227 or on line at www.ticketmaster.com Game Time: 3:00 pm 2 Carl Ridle, Director Human Rights Department: Commend Center looking for ten (10) Welders. Contact Human Rights Dept. (219) 873-1429 Also September 15, 2018 Human Rights Commission will have workers at the Nota Dame football Game. For more information contact Mr. Ridle at (219) 873-1429 Monday.-Friday Commissioner Rev. Dennis Carroll: Southgate Neighborhood Association is still in the works. Please contact Rev. Carroll at (219) 898-8492. PUBLIC COMMENT: Ms. Lisa Russell, formerly Head Start Director – Glad to be present for the Commission meeting. She was invited by Mr. Carl Ridle. LaTonya Troutman (Merry Christmas) -Media Chair for the La Porte County NAACP. LaPorte County NAACP Unit 3061 has a website now, please check it out. Also the La Porte County NAACP has a new and improved Face book page, please like us on face book and find out what the La Porte County NAACP has accomplish this year and previous years. Commissioner Mario Rosa-CASA needs volunteers to work with troubled youth in Michigan City and LaPorte County. Please check out their website for more information and how Y.O.U. can be of assistance. ADJOURNMENT: Motion made by Commissioner Lester Norvell and seconded by Commissioner Rev. Carroll. Motion passed Minutes submitted by: Commissioner W. Faye Moore October 8, 2018 via email: w.fayemoore66@gmail.com Next Meeting: November 14, 2018 at Noon City Hall West Conference Room . 3