Salem Human Rights Coalition

Meeting Minutes | June 6, 2023 Present Members • Alphonse Wright | Chair • Shimon Avish | Treasurer • Pamela Geiser | Clerk • Katelyn Adams | Liason, Salem State University • Julio Mota | Liason, City of Salem, Mayor’s Office • Kerry Neenan | Liaison, Commission on Disabilities • Captain John Burke | Liaison, Salem Police Department • Veronica Miranda | Member • Elise Towle Snow | Member • Denise Regan | Member Present Guests Chris Fuccione, Salem Democratic Committee Coordinator Alan Hanscom, SATV Laura Assade, Salem Public Schools Chloe Pan, Salem Resident Meeting called to order, recording initiated. Welcome and Introductions. Opportunity for Public Comment. • None Governor’s Statement, read by Chair. Reports from Coalition [A] Chair Thanks to Kerry, Pam and Veronica for tabling SHRC at the Salem Arts Festival. Good interactions, we had a tree tapestry with “What is a Human Right to You? ” interactive leaves and ribbons on it. Will be meeting with Mayor Pangallo on 6/20, would like to have Bylaws in Final Draft form and approved by the City Solicitor before this happens. Negro Election Day Celebration is July 15th – Salem United free tabling event! https://www.salemma.gov/salem-human-rights-coalition Page 1 of 5  Meeting Minutes | June 6, 2023 [B] Clerk Minutes were emailed to the Coalition twice, on June 6th (today) and on May 23rd – unanimously approved and accepted into Public Record. Asked to clarify presentation of summary of SHRC activities and full financial report by the Treasurer. Not happening until end of year. [C] Treasurer Balance $225.29; No changes since last meeting. Low on swag; only have sanctuary buttons in English/Spanish. [D] Subcommittee Reports New Arrivals Setting up a fund. Denise – Organization funds to Salem Police Department, thank you very much for that. Gift cards went to a family who arrived from Haiti and were able to be helped by SPD. Not able to predict when this is going to happen, but there are people in need. Universal Basic Income Speak to state representatives regarding H3598. Representative Cruz asked to meet and have not heard back. Need to temperature check. 3-year pilot with 100 families too long, not enough. Want to speak to Manny first; if it doesn’t seem like support is in the House/Sentate, bring it locally to our City representatives to see where they stand. Coalition role would be research and advocacy - mainly Mayors for Guaranteed Income - get aligned via Mayoral involvement. Outreach/Engagement Need to determine what we want to represent and how to get our mission out there. New Arrivals are a good starting point, per Kerry, and Julio mentioned Welcome Immigrant Network City of Salem $12,000 Grant for immigrant inclusion. Don’t have to be immigrants, can be interested individuals who are part of the work. Consider fundraiser resources and what partnerships currently exist between us and our community stakeholders. Develop a framework and make connections that make sense for our current focuses. [E] Liaison Reports Julio – May 27th new Mayor, new Chief of Staff, Lisa Peterson, starting soon. Sabrina Trask is the Office Director for those looking to visit City Hall offices. Announcement from “Right of First Refusal” program intends to preserve multi-family residential housing. $1,000K payment so City can be first to make an offer; should an offer be made and accepted. Will clarify language state vs. city “partner entities” - old argument, meant to preserve housing of a historic nature. Pride Month Pride Parade Saturday 6/24 12-1 (on Agenda) https://www.salemma.gov/salem-human-rights-coalition Page 2 of 5  Meeting Minutes | June 6, 2023 Kerry - Destination Salem looking into liability and logistics for wheelchair; going forward, discussing with City Solicitor. Working with City of Salem to update language in job descriptions to include certain restrictions based on actual tasks of the job rather than ability of the job seeker. Volunteers going around to outdoor dining areas in city to check accessibility to ensure there is a level area from the sidewalk to platform for dining to ensure ramp degrees and ADA compliance/turning space on patios, etc. Kate - In orientation, have lots of Freshman on Campus. Alumni weekend this weekend. Annual first day of service coordinated by Kate - if anyone is connected with organizations, park cleanups, etc. needing young college students for help; looking to meet local leaders and further engagement. Burke - Graffiti of an anti LGBTQIA+ under investigation follow up next month. Had to leave unexpectedly. Discussion on Agenda items is for Membership only - apologize for the adherence to that this meeting. Bylaws Revisions Kerry notices pluralization which was corrected; and edit to Section about adding reference to proxy votes. Liaisons are not allowed to be officers - Kerry, need to specify that, considering City Council cannot vote. Will clarify language. Shimon - Voting by the Chair and Vice Chair - why does Chair not vote? Alphonse - Vice Chair can vote. Shimon/Denise - Why not Chair then? Alphonse - Power, they set the Agenda Shimon/Denise - how many voting members do we have? Alphonse to Julio - Dr. Carmona in Somerville now, need to re-elect Salem Public Schools liaison. Julio - the way it is currently written, without Chair voting, is consistent with other committees in the City Alphonse - think about legacy, removing myself from this, the “Chair” in bylaws have privileges that could be abused. Chair might cast vote ahead of people, which can sway the constituents. Denise - Check with City Solicitor before codifying if the Chair can vote or not. Do not raise voice - Denise to Alphonse. https://www.salemma.gov/salem-human-rights-coalition Page 3 of 5  Meeting Minutes | June 6, 2023 Julio - are there any other Bylaws issues? If not, let's just vote. It’s been several meetings. Veronica - Term limits seem small, compared to other boards, at just a year - what is the comfortability of lengthening term of officers? Kerry - Officer terms are typically one year. Shimon - Not much turnover due to time commitments of officers, has not been an issue so far. Julio - A lot can happen in a year if someone isn’t ready/capable - as long as there are no hard term limits, no need to change leadership, we shouldn’t have to. Denise - Second suggestion to Bylaws removes power given to chair to Veto financial expenditures approved by the coalition. Article 5 Section 1; delete sentence and replace with all expenses must be approved by ⅔ of members present. What does endorsement mean? Julio - Suggested amendment to a majority vote of coalition may approve expenditures. All expenditures approved at meeting. Denise - Motion Bylaws amended to insert Article 6 Duties of Officers Section 1 Chair has same voting rights as any member. Julio - Will you have a conversation with the Solicitor; Alphonse yes Beth Raynard will do. Julio Motion, seconded by Veronica; Bylaws approved - Alphonse to send out revisions. Alphonse - Present in every committee in the City of Salem - chairman does not have vote. Race and Equity Commission does not allow chair to vote. Julio - Mayor can lead committees; Can also be because of level of control New Business Pride – In order to either March or Table requires expenditures; deadline was June 1st to register. We do not have enough in our coffers to cover what it costs - it is $165 to march and tabling another $50+ and everything goes up by $30. March with Mayoral advisory council may be posed to Mayor ASAP by Julio. Julio - long past due, city calendar on website to provide a calendar that goes out at least 5 months ahead; SHRC not only group who has asked for this. Working on it. Will do this volunteered. Shimon suggested SHRC pamphlet revisions. Alphonse – Coffers low? Request to Mayor for funding. Kerry - Flatbreads fundraiser? We need representation. Elise - Will put us up for Salem Arts Festival 2024 Shimon - Will create a budget for SAF 2024; Tent, Table, Tshirts for Members, Buttons; Notch gave us $1,000 in 2016 - maybe do another event? https://www.salemma.gov/salem-human-rights-coalition Page 4 of 5  Meeting Minutes | June 6, 2023 Elise - need projects to help people give money; flyer with 2023 initiatives so far, welcoming committee, UBI, engagement outreach Julio/Denise - Newcomer support group Alphonse - Fundraiser with Flatbreads check ownership and values first Pamphlet original copy (Alphonse PDF to Elise) Motion to codify elections in December each year. Carried. Alphonse summer schedule wise, we will also meet on August 1, 2023. Next Scheduled Meeting July 11, 2023 at 5:30 PM Adjournment https://www.salemma.gov/salem-human-rights-coalition Page 5 of 5