Salem Human Rights Coalition

Meeting Minutes | March 2024 In Attendance: -Alphonse Wright | Chair Shimon Avish -Pamela Geiser -Julio Mota Veronica Miranda -Captain Burke -Kate Adams -Alan Hanscom Laura Assade -Kerry Neenan Lucy Corchado -Liv Duarte -Christopher Macdonald-Dennis -Doreen Wade -Judith Reilly - Salem Resident and Black History -Andy Varela Ward 7 Councilor Welcome Introduction of Guests Guests: None Public Comment: None Alan: SATV are Recording Reports from Coalition Chair -The longest table Food Policy Council introduction to the community. If you want to get involved with a SFPC meeting it's the 1st Monday of every month, focus re-branded used to be Salem Food for All - we might want to do that. We need to get our name out there with a fun event. Subcommittee Members and what each will do. Clerk (Minutes from Past Meetings) -Minutes from February 6, 2024, are still in process due to a personal bereavement and my own medical emergencies. All previous Minutes were emailed to the Coalition prior to our last meeting. Minutes were Approved and added to the Public Record, and Julio added them to the City’s website. I will distribute the Minutes for February 2024 and March 2024 by the end of day tomorrow, March 6, 2024, if possible. Otherwise end of week. I am having a heart monitor implanted this Thursday in anticipation of heart surgery, for full transparency, so I may not be available for in-person events. I am also caring for a relative with dementia in Florida, so I may be out of state from time to time. If anyone would like to make a motion for a vote to replace me as Clerk, I will ask the Chair to entertain the motion. Or at least, perhaps a motion to find a Temporary Clerk, in cases I am unavailable. Treasurer (Financials) -To Julio, Lucy needs reimbursement ($200 + $100 expired check from sent reimbursement request as did Shimon ($41.25) please advise. Will include Sabrina. She should be doing this now. We should have an expense for the Salem Film Fest, which did take place in January. Balance $1,305.29 - includes $1,000 Lifebridge Donation, Fundraiser. -Low on swag, only have sanctuary buttons in English/Spanish. Subcommittee Reports Outreach -Community events, SSU events, swag, Julio events with City. -Postcards for renters and homeowners with Salem. We should make one to add. UBI -Now with City Hall; off the table. New Arrivals Initiative -Could try using vacant dorms at SSU? -Lodging is the biggest hurdle. Julio “Non base vs Base dorms?” Alphonse: Didn’t ask what kind of dorms they were - it depends on when families need them. Liaisons Burke -Nothing in the last month. End of December, an incident where a note was placed on a windshield: “Why don’t you go die?” based on stickers on the back of the car at Market Basket. Could advise SHRC on developments, just doesn’t think there will be any follow-up; cameras showed nothing. Julio -UBI is still in process and Lori is ON IT. She has worked closely in Cambridge/Somerville. Not quiet, related to Human Rights, Latino Leadership Coalition better use of Spanish in City of Salem (native vs. non-native). Julio conducts CodeRED, so if you’re worried about emergency calls, we’re aware on the back end. Laura Enrollment for Preschool and pre-k and kindergarten in January early childhood expo, info about all programs can share, starting 2/7 and 2/8 community onsite registration operations staff in community at Pequot, on the 8th follow up meet and greet at Collins middle school and talk to principal about school programming. Week after, espacio, new family resource center at Shetland Park, if you visit SPS FB find fliers. Will send via email for distributing for registration. Anyone is welcome to attend if they have a student in the age range. -Hosting a Community Budget Forum about SPS priorities to staff and parents in-person today and virtual on 2/13 for the community as well for input. 2025 Budget discussions. Lucy: “Also spoken with faith-based communities? Yes, should have been reached out to for this. Immaculate conception does announcements after mass, maybe include this in that?” Kerry No updates since 2023. Lucy $192.50 Sponsor $50 Cash and Five Books $42.50 Award for MLK Essay Contest Elementary, Middle, High School on 1/22/24. Motion carried. Kate Thank you for making MLK convocation possible - especially essay readers. Dr. Shivaz is coming back at the end the of month on 2/27 4:00-6:30 at Vets Hall. The interfaith group about housing legislation, incarcerated, tenants, etc. need stories and need it by 2/27, if possible, because of the bill possible in early March if you’re interested in sharing your story. Connect with Kate to reach these contacts (meeting with Michael in Mayor’s office as well on Thursday to discuss). Andy Varela | City Council Brief update: food security, Food Policy Council, food resource for food insecurity, access to healthy food is a human right. Need to start a discussion about a line item in our budget and put our money where our mouth is - working with Alphonse. Looking forward to learning more. Old Business Amend Bylaws; Vote on Combining Mayor’s Liaison + Treasurer Position Vote on Liaisons to Hold Officer Positions Vote on 2024 Focus: Housing Equity - Environmental Equity - Threats to Democracy & the Civic Process Salem Film Fest Long-standing tradition to sponsor a specific film. $300 Vote on your film to sponsor. It first comes, first served to sponsor so be prompt. We get names and logo featured in the program and during preview, and sponsor lists online and on screen plus two free tickets. Poster 1/22 notify of choice. 1/30 program. Good exposure. Motion carries. New Business for Next Meeting Kerry: Participation, part of me wanting to let Liaisons vs. Members be leaders - our membership numbers are too low. Leadership as a resident of Salem. Laura: Community but disagree that I no longer live in Salem, I started working there, I am in here and getting paid, but it doesn’t mean I don’t care about Salem in a Liaison role. Need mentorship for a Board of Commission. Liaisons to have officer roles, whole committee to see how roles connect with other offices in certain instances, in others, it should be a community member to serve in that role. Julio: Table discussion about combining position of treasurer and mayor’s office liaison; can liaisons hold officer positions? Do they have to be residents? If so, discuss in March meeting. Shimon: Efficiency - come with actual proposals for vote. If we have something to vote on it would make it an easier discussion. Upcoming Events Next Meeting April 2, 2024