Community Relations Commission

1 Minutes of a Meeting of the 2 Community Relations Commission 3 Northbrook, IL 4 Thursday, May 1, 2014 5 6 7 Present: Pro Tem Chair Scott Gertz; Members: Elliot Bruckman, Dale Duda, Linda 8 Goldsher, Mary Hansen, Safa Hamed, Sue Huang, Alice Lonoff, Robert Lozaro, 9 Ron Mantegna, and Dr. Rochelle Singer 10 11 Absent: Nafisa Choudhury, Bruce Doughty, Lou Gross, Chris Kosla, Nancy Stoddard, 12 Susan Weil, and Ray Wehr 13 14 Others: Liaison Jason Batalden, Mike Strong, and Recording Secretary Julie Weldon 15 16 17 Call to Order 18 The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm at the Northbrook Police Department, Training 19 Classroom by Pro Tem Chair Scott Gertz. 20 21 Liaison Replacement 22 Mike Strong will be replacing Jason Batalden as the Liaison to the Community Relations 23 Commission. 24 25 Approval of April 3 Community Relations Commission Minutes 26 Motion: (Dale Duda - Rochelle Singer) Approve the minutes of the April 3, 2014 Community 27 Relations Commission with the following amendments: 28 - Line 10 – missing comma after Robert Lozaro 29 - Line 65 and 66 – replace the sentence with…The reason that the expenses at the YMCA 30 are higher is because this year the YMCA asked for reimbursement and the program is 31 expanded from last year. 32 - Line 82 – replace the words ‘paid for’ with ‘dated’ 33 - Line 92 – replace period at the end of the sentence with a question mark 34 - Lind 181 – replace ‘the impassion of gay bashing’ with homosexuality. 35 - Carried. 36 37 Asian Heritage Planning 38 Member Huang reported that the program is close to being final, just waiting on feedback. She 39 also reported that publicity has included press releases which were sent out and Public Service 40 Announcements will be running 64 times during the week throughout the day including 7:58, 41 8:58 and 9:58 in the evening. 42 43 The YMCA has not purchased the banner yet, but it should be purchased by next week. The 44 YMCA has agreed to share the cost so it will be $150 each. 45 46 Member Huang said she is still in need of volunteers to help out, particularly in the morning to 47 help with the room set up. 48 49 The flower arrangement artist needs to start at 8:00 am in order to be ready by noon. Tables 50 and chairs need to be set up in order for the committee to begin working on the flower 51 arrangements.  Minutes of a Meeting of the Community Relations Commission May 1, 2014 52 53 The Fire Department donated various items for children such as helmets, rulers, etc. 54 55 As people enter they will hear welcome greetings in different languages. 56 57 It was recommended to add to the front of the program brochure that it is the 10th anniversary of 58 the Asian Heritage Program. 59 60 The raffle will occur at the end of the event. 61 62 Flamingo Friday/Welcome to Northbrook Planning 63 Member Gertz reported that invitations have gone out and that they are still looking for 64 volunteers to work in the popcorn wagon. Member Duda reported that they came in under 65 budget. 66 67 Sister Cities Update 68 Member Hamed reported the subcommittee is growing. Gerri Kirby has agreed to help and is 69 part of the committee. She is an artist and would help with coordinating art projects between the 70 cities. 71 72 Sue Minot, state coordinator said in order for this project to move forward the committee needs 73 dedicated volunteers. She suggested getting someone from the youth project. She is also 74 getting them connected with someone from Iowa Sister Cities. 75 76 Member Duda requested that Sister Cities look for a program in the Holy Land to connect with. 77 Member Gertz suggested that a city in Palestine, or Israel, specifically Haifa, be pursued as 78 additional options. 79 80 Northbrook Cares Update 81 Report was tabled until June. 82 83 News from Clergy Association and Houses of Worship 84 Alice Lonoff reported Northbrook United Methodist Church will be showing the movie Fish Out of 85 Water at 7:00 pm on Friday, May 2nd. The documentary tells the true story of Ky Dickens who 86 came out to her conservative sorority sisters at Vanderbilt University, received an extremely 87 negative response, and then research what the Bible has to say about folks who are gay and 88 made a film about it. 89 90 Temple Beth ‘El annual golf outing will be held at Chevy Chase on July 20th. 91 92 Baha’i Church is celebrating a Holy Day starting today at sunset. 93 94 News from Schools 95 Report was tabled until June. 96 97 Old Business 98 Jason Batalden reported that they are still waiting for additional proofing of the Community 99 Resource Guide. 100 2  Minutes of a Meeting of the Community Relations Commission May 1, 2014 101 Ron Mantegna asked that the Senior Services Commission provide the Community Relations 102 Commission with an update and report on what they are doing and on the survey that was 103 taken. 104 105 New Business 106 There was no new business. 107 108 Eyes and Ears on the Street 109  The Farmers Market will open June 18th at Meadow Plaza. Village President Sandy 110 Frum will preside over the watermelon cutting ceremony and Reverend Melissa Earley of 111 Northbrook United Methodist Church will give the blessing. 112  Linda Goldsher congratulated Ryan Goldsher for being named president of GBN student 113 body. 114  Priscilla Nolan, who worked for the Fire Department, passed away. 115 116 Next Meeting 117 The next meeting will be held June 5, 2014 at the Northbrook Police Station in the training room. 118 119 Adjournment 120 Motion: (Linda Goldsher – Elliot Bruckman) Move to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 pm – Carried. 3