Community Relations Commission

Approved Minutes of a Meeting of the Community Relations Commission Northbrook, Illinois May 2, 2013 The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. in the Civic Room at the Northbrook Public Library by chair Ray Wehr. Members present: Dale Duda, Scott Gertz, Linda Goldsher, Sue Huang, James Hyun, Christopher Kosla, Dr. Rochelle Singer, Elliot Bruckman, Nafisa Choudhury, Kamyar Jabbari, Ron Mantegna, Nancy Stoddard, and Alice Lonoff. Member Bruce Doughty was absent and excused. Also present: Guest Safa Hamed, former commission member Robert Lozaro, Liaison Kendal Maltas, and Recording Secretary Christine Martin. Welcome Chair Ray Wehr welcomed the group, including guest Safa Hamed, who is a math professor at Oakton Community College. Approval of April 2013 minutes Member Singer moved, seconded by Member Gertz, to approve minutes of the April 4, 2013 meeting, with the following revisions:  On page 1, under the members present listing, Alice Lonoff’s last name is spelled incorrectly.  On page 2, under “Asian Heritage Month Planning,” Children’s Choir should not be capitalized unless it is a proper noun.  Also on page 2, under “Flamingo Friday/Welcome to Northbrook Planning,” the Kick-Off Party runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., not 7:30 p.m.  It was pointed out that the minutes on page 3, under “News from Clergy Association and Houses of Worship,” in the fourth sentence, use the term “as a group” redundantly. One instance should be stricken.  Also, on page 4 in Section C under “Eyes & Ears on the Street,” the minutes should say that a concert will be held on May 24, not May 17. It was moved and seconded to approve the April 2013 minutes with the above changes. On voice vote, the revised minutes were approved. Page 1 of 5 Interfaith Sunday Review Member Goldsher thanked Liaison Kendal Maltas and the committee for their hard work in putting on another successful event. Cold weather necessitated moving the welcome event to the Community Room, which may become the default location for the event in coming years. A youth group from Clarendon Hills attended as did State Senator Daniel Biss and State Representative Elaine Nekritz. The flier for the event said that pizza would be served from 4-6 p.m., but the pizza ran out by 5:00 p.m. so in the future the flier should state that food is available only for the first hour. Also, in future years a banner may be ordered for each participating house of worship if the budget allows. The event is biennial (i.e., every two years) even though some mistakenly believe it is held every year. Thank you notes have been sent to dancers and other participants. The commission discussed whether it would be useful to expand the event to include houses of worship outside of Northbrook. It was pointed out that participants may not have the time or the inclination to drive to houses of worship outside of Northbrook. But it’s appropriate to encourage those from other communities to attend. Sometimes confirmation classes or Bar/Bat Mitzvah students attend. Local congregations may wish to encourage these students to share what they have learned. Member Goldsher also reported that the Northbrook Clergy Association has been asked by local youth to discuss whether, and to what extent, local congregations welcome individuals who are gay. The Northbrook Clergy Association also recently elected a new president, Father Bob Heinz from St. Norbert’s parish. The next meeting of the Clergy Association will be held in September. New Business Member Gertz thanked Member Hyun and and former member Robert Lozaro for their service on the commission. Mr. Hyun and Mr. Lozaro were given signed greeting cards to commemorate their service. Asian Heritage Celebration Planning Member Huang reported that plans are underway for the May 5 celebration of Asian- American Heritage, also known as “Taste of Asia.” Fliers have been distributed, a public service announcement is running, and the local newspapers have provided coverage. The event is also featured in the May village newsletter. Art for the event has already been installed at the North Suburban YMCA, where the event will be held. A film titled “Becoming American: The Chinese Experience” will run at the event, and children will have the opportunity to learn Chinese characters, Japanese, and other Asian arts. Page 2 of 5 Member Huang distributed a program for the event. Event planners hope to receive coverage in the local media after the event is held. The commission discussed whether an event celebrating Asian culture at a local school competes, or should be combined with, the Taste of Asia. It was pointed out that the school event is for students and their parents, not the community as a whole. West Northfield School District 31 could be invited to participate in the Village’s Asian Heritage event. The event is held in May because that is Asian-American Heritage Month. It should not be held outside the month of May. Flamingo Friday/WTN (Welcome to Northbrook) Planning Member Gertz reported that Sunset Foods will lend the use of its popcorn wagon for the Flamingo Fridays Kick-Off Party scheduled for May 17. Member Duda reported that representatives of the fire department may attend, as will representatives of the park district, the public library, the North Suburban YMCA, the Northbrook Symphony Orchestra, and the police department’s social worker. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. and will include pizza and ice cream bars. Fliers will be put up at the Metra station. The commission discussed whether a resource book should be made available at the Flamingo Fridays event. It was pointed out that the resource book is three years old and few copies remain. But a sign could explain that the contents of the book are available online. The purpose of Flamingo Fridays is to get neighbors to hold impromptu gatherings and to get to know one another. Any type of “after hours” gathering serves a similar purpose. Village Forum Planning Chair Ray Wehr said that the village board has empowered the Community Relations Commission to develop a village forum in part because the village has seen three teen suicides in one year. The commission discussed what the forum should be, and how it can address concerns of families who have “teens in crisis.” The commission discussed working with local school districts, houses of worship, and the senior services commission. The commission also discussed to what extent resources already exist, who the audience for a village forum should be, and what should be done to present or package resources for a particular audience. It was suggested that the commission meet with other organizations to determine what resources are already available so as to avoid duplicating services. It also was suggested that holding a listening tour would take too long and that the commission may wish to hold an event soon that would present resources (possibly in the form of presentations by social workers or other experts) to parents. This formal presentation could be followed by private time in which Page 3 of 5 families have access to social workers or other professionals. It also was suggested that parents and teens could be separated into separate audiences for part of the event. It also was suggested that the commission consult with school and library administrators who have held forums in the past on teen problems, only to see discouragingly light attendance. Perhaps other communities similar to Northbrook have found a way to work with their schools to engage parents and others in addressing teen problems. It was pointed out that perhaps some ethnic groups handle teen social, psychological, or drug problems differently than the majority population. Or, language barriers may keep minority parents from attending forums on teen problems. It also was pointed out that parents may decline to attend workshops and the like on teen social problems because there are no easy answers. Problems of drug use and depression affect every generation. Perhaps the commission should start by asking questions (of, for example, school administrators and teens) instead of presenting answers. At a minimum, the village can show that it cares by highlighting the issue of “teens in crisis” in the village newsletter or on its website. Existing resources can be marketed or highlighted for residents. After the above discussion, chair Ray Wehr said that a subcommittee devoted to the Northbrook Youth Forum will meet on May 16 at 7:00 p.m. Commission members are invited to attend. They may also invite other interested parties. News from Schools Glenbrook South is presenting West Side Story. Old Business None. Eyes and Ears on the Street Liaison Kendal Maltas reported that local eighth graders shadowed Library, Park District and Village Hall staff recently as part of the annual Student Government Day. They debated the issue of whether bee-keeping should be regulated by the village. The village code currently is silent on the issue. Robert Lozaro reported that St. Norbert’s will hold its annual “Whale of a Sale” on May 18 and May 19. June 8 is the St. Norbert’s block party. Maple Junior High will hold a 5K run on June 6. The Farmers Market starts June 19. The Methodist church will hold a sale on October 12. Next meeting—June 6, 2013 Page 4 of 5 The commission traditionally does not meet in July. Adjournment Member Gertz moved to adjourn at 8:45 p.m. Member Hyun seconded the motion. On voice vote, the motion passed. Respectfully submitted, Christine Martin Recording Secretary Page 5 of 5