Cultural Connections Committee

Minutes from Cultural Connections Committee Tuesday July 21st 2015. Regular Meeting City Hall Room 208. Members Present: Thomas Lopez (Chair) Lavonne Campbell, Jenny Maxwell, Karen Emis-Williams, Bernadette Melton- Plante (secretary) Fouad Mahfuz, Mark Hastbacka, Sharon Dalton, Jacqueiyn Coutu, Jennifer Maxwell, Jenn Hosking, Carlos Camacho and Bruno Soares. Absent: Dendrea Smith, Jared Barbosa, Janeth Orozco Sanchez, Maria Bola-Ferrifro, Mary Ann Melizzi- Golija, and Andrew Smith. 1. Thomas Lopez opened the meeting at 3-40PM. The Mission statement was read by Jenny Maxwell, explaining the mission of the Cultural Connections Committee is to encourage understanding and appreciation of Ethnic Diversity in the City of Nashua and to facilitate communication between the ethnic community and city government (NRO 2-94). 2. June minutes were approved with one correction to item 5 in the minutes made by Karen Emis- Williams. A statement was made to “emerging leader “of color when what should have been stated is “Emerging Leader’s in Communities of Color. A motion was made by Karen to accept the minutes with the change and seconded by Sharon. 3. Thomas Lopez complimented Jenny Maxwell on all of her hard work as an intern, her energy and commitment has been outstanding. 4. Thomas reported on the French Cultural Festival, due to very poor weather the festival had to be moved to the Auditorium at City Hall. The two local bands Cassette and Hunter that played were well received by the attendee’s, and Positive Street Art were also in attendance. Discussions were held for planning a second French Cultural Festival for 2016 and looking to see if sponsorships could be obtained. The Richelieu Club was pleased with the turnout and has also stated a verbal commitment for next year. The Richelieu Club is looking to expand and recruit a younger generation to get involved with their club. The Richelieu Club is helping out at the Nashua Soup Kitchen with refugees who only speak French. 5. The Fairy Tale Festival was a great success with enormous attendance, several of the Cultural Connection Members attended. Fouad Mahfuz donated a rug for the event and Positive Street Art was also present. 6. Tom will be meeting with the Mayor on July 22nd to discuss the completion of the Murals. Reminders were given to the members of the committee about the Bird Dog Training that is scheduled for July 23rd at the PAL Center from 6-00PM to 8-00Pm. This event is presented by American Friends Service Committee’s Governing under the influence campaign, a civic engagement and education project hosted by Latinos United for Action. 7. Karen gave a report on the Gate City Initiative who are working on the on the symposium with a targeted date of October 22nd 2015. The topic continues to be recognizing opportunities of Diversity focusing on the importance of immigrants and what they can do for our cities, and the economic benefits. Karen reported this committee is still looking for funding for this symposium. There will be a meeting on September 22nd at City Hall in the Auditorium to discuss Resettlement. 8. One Greater Nashua updates were provided for the month of June and July stating the committee continues to work on the tool kit for refugees, and this group continues to work on health outcomes by working closely with the Cultural Navigators Program, and then looking at Youth Leadership and family Engagement. The remaining focus is Business and Civic Engagement. 9. No update this month on Disproportionate Minority Contact as Andrew was not present at the meeting 10. Discussions were held about the Neighborhood Watch /Mapping your Neighborhood / Neighbors works .Residents in some areas of Nashua are been provided through meetings a brochure published by the Office of Emergency Management , along with a brochure on building and strengthening disaster readiness among neighbors. The booklet describes the 9 steps that need to be followed after a disaster that include take care of your loved ones, take a moment to size up the situation, check the natural gas or propane at your home, shut off water at the house main, place the HELP or OK sign, get your emergency supplies, form teams at the Neighborhood gathering site and go back to the neighborhood gathering site after your team has completed its work. 11. Reminders were given to the members about the Latino Festival scheduled from noon-6-00PM on July 26th. Tom requested that committee member’s attend if possible and to let people know you are a member of the Cultural Connections Committee. 12. Tom reminded members it is India Independence Day on August 1st 2015.  13. Bruno reported on the proposal to host a Brazilian Fest on September 19th 2015.Bruno shared the goal of the Brazilian Fest is to enhance cultural awareness in the city of Nashua by sharing the Brazilian culture with residents. It is Bruno’s hope that the event will have three main components. The first objective is to bring Brazilian businesses together to promote them at the event. The second objective is to have Brazilian activities such as inflatable soccer field for people to play “Pique Bandeira “, “Queimada” . The third objective would be to have cultural presentations such as a “Brazilian DJ” who would play Brazilian Music. Part of the planning would include asking the Brazilian community who own their own business’s if they would like to have a table at the event so they could promote their own business. In regards to activities they would request that Coach Barbosa provide a soccer clinic for the children, then organize a tournament in the inflatable soccer field. A discussion was also held about creating the event on Facebook if the city provides approval for this project. 14. Sharon Dalton made a motion for the meeting to close at 5.01PM and this was seconded by Karen Emis- Williams. Respectfully Submitted Bernadette Melton- Plante