Human Rights Commission

In attendance: Jan Derry - Vice Chair Rozzy Lauderback - Secretary Bonnie Brown Jena Martin Don Spencer Brian Butcher - City Council Representative Meeting called to order at 6:47pm *Don wants to decide at our next meeting notes are read and discussed at the beginning because we are not getting through the priority items. Jena volunteered to be the task master. Jena makes a motion to move the project list to the top of the meeting structure. Don seconds it. *Conversion Therapy Ban in August As most of you know, I gave our presentation on our ordinance to prohibit conversion therapy at the August COW meeting. At last night’s viewing of the documentary “Pray Away”, Mayor Selin stated that she and the rest of council would like Fairness West Virginia to attend the September COW meeting, present their own data, and then we will be moved to the October 5th agenda for a first reading with a passage of this ordinance occurring by the end of October. Council member Butcher will be able to clarify all of the issues and roadblocks that we have been hit with in regards to this ordinance. With that being said, Don and Bonnie, I am afraid will not be able to get the Land Acknowledgement and Indigenous Peoples’ Day resolutions in front of council until the October COW at best. I’m sorry I do not have happier news to share on that front, but we will keep on pushing. As for the editorial that hit the Dominion Post about the ordinance, I would like to clarify that this letter was not my doing or encouraged by anyone within the HRC. The Dominion Post editors took this upon themselves to write this editorial. To summarize: Fairness WV and I will be on the September COW to re-present and answer questions surrounding data and information on the Ordinance to Prohibit Conversion Therapy. We will work to have the 2 resolutions on the October COW agenda. *Just noted Jan spoke about Ash not having anything to do with the opinion piece by the Dominion Post. Don found it impressive. *DEI Implementation Jan set up a meeting on Sept 29th with the City Manager and Mayor Salin. *Present for Indegious Peoples Day We sent an email on the alert. Mayor Selin followed up with Bonnie. She stated that there is not enough support right now and it would fail. So they were brainstorming events, or a specific site for a dedication. *Land Acknowledgement 1st thing we do next month. Proposed by Jena and everyone accepted. Don mentioned a statement of Diversity *Support City Council about Police Ordinance Interview to come for Jan and HRC Recommendations have been submitted. High Priority Events Friendsgiving-Gear up in September Rozzy will talk to the LGBTQ+ Center about the HRC participation in Friendsgiving *WVU Annual Film Bonnie was going to look for a partner to help host the event. *Complete “Wellcome to Morgantown” service information on website. Bonnie will check in on that. Jena is looking into immigration information and referral guides on the website. *Jan Moved Most items to the City Clerk's Office. *Maintain copies of articles and our history. Bonnie will liaison with the WVU Regional History Center and Jan and Don will donate. *The MAC is reserved for City of Diversity Event- Jan’s update *Project Status Profiles - completed Don stated the former PSP includes past history. Don will update the history and we will approve next month. *Commission Legislative Docket Morgantown’s HRC has never had a vote lost on legislation. Don mentions the importance of trust. *Annual Calendar is missing on google docs. Don will add a calendar of events. NEW BUSINESS *Discussion and prep for collaborative action on the issue of environmental justice such as water. Don will share the commission as he does his research. *Structural Racism Project- This will evolve into a summary to share with the commission. Don will see this is done. *We discussed the concerns the city council had with Conversion Therapy Ban with Brian Butcher. He had spoke to the City Attorney and had passed on his suggestions specifically including parents and legal aid as an option to file a issue if someone knows of the Conversion Therapy for a minor and specifically a legal aid for the minor. Note:Next meeting put Brian Butcher officially as a liaison. *Planning orientation with Bonnie, Jan, Don, Ash and Rozzy. Next Meeting Oct. 21st October meeting we need to add HRC Legislation Agenda for the City Jan suggested we get more educated about what's going on at a state level. Legislative session - We might want to come back and share with the city council. End Meeting - Jan called for adjournment 8:40pm