Ethnic Community Committee

City of Sterling Heights ETHNIC COMMUNITY COMMITTEE Official minutes of the Thursday, September 5, 2019 regular meeting. MEMBERS PRESENT: Sharron Allen Abbott Basal Willie Dechavez Kozeta Elzhenni Susan Kattula Abul Patwary Iqbal Singh Carmen Williams Stacy Williams MEMBERS ABSENT: Mohammed Alomari Shawn Taylor OFFICIALS PRESENT: Community Relations Director Melanie Davis Community Relations Services Specialist Sue Giallombardo 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call *Melanie Davis was recently appointed at the new Community Relations Director. Davis has an extensive background in Public Relations, coming from the Sterling Heights Regional Chamber of Commerce where she was President for the past 3 1/2 years. Davis is a long time resident of Sterling Heights and is happy to be a part of the group. 3. Approval of Agenda: MOTION by Elzhenni, SECONDED by Allen. Approved 9-0 4. Approval of Minutes: MOTION by Allen to approve the minutes as amended to make the following changes to the Notice of Regular Meeting Dates 5. Communication from Citizens: None 6. Communications from the Sterling Heights Police Dept.-Sgt. Kevin Reese  None, Reese was absent from meeting. 7. Agenda A. Approval of Meeting Dates for Fiscal Year 2019/2020  Kattula made a motion to approve the schedule of the Regular Meeting Dates as follows: January 2, 2020 - Cancel due to lack of agenda items  March 5, 2020 - Re-schedule to March 19 due to the Cultural Exchange being held on March 6 April 2, 2020 - Cancelled Motion SECONDED by Patwary. Approved 9-0. B. 2019 Diversity Disctinction Award Dinner  Giallombardo urged members to continue soliciting sponsors and ticket sales, noting that tickets sales were only at 80 at the time of the meeting. Final count has to be given to the hall by Sept. 18th. Giallombardo added that sponsorships are going very well and thanked members of the committee.  Giallombardo stated that there is still an opening for a group to entertain during dinner; if anyone would like to recommend someone, they may do so. Entertainment confirmed to date included Nala Williams and an Asian Fashion Showcase.  Patwary confirmed that Imam Haque from AMDA will give the invocation at the dinner.  Dechavez announced that the floor was open for Diversity Award nominees.  Elzhenni presented the AICC Sisters Committee. Motion by Dechavez to award the AICC Sisters Committee with the Diversity Distinction Award; Seconded by: Patwary. Approved 9-0.  Giallombardo presented Trpana Savevska Denkovska, adding that she can ask for additional information from the nominator. Motion by Elzhenni to award the AICC Sisters Committee with the Diversity Distinction Award; Seconded by: S. Williams. Approved 9-0.  Dechavez presented Marie Huynh. Motion by Kattula to award the AICC Sisters Committee with the Diversity Distinction Award; Seconded by: Allen. Approved 9-0.  Kattula presented the Chaldean Sisters of Mercy. Motion by Elzhenni to award the AICC Sisters Committee with the Diversity Distinction Award; Seconded by: C. Williams. Approved 9-0.  Singh and Dechavez presented Wilmar Suan. Motion by Kattula to award the AICC Sisters Committee with the Diversity Distinction Award; Seconded by: Basal. Approved 9-0.  Kattula stated that she would like to see nominees that promote diversity beyond their own culture.  Allen added that the members tend to get away from the criteria when making nominations and reminded members that nominees should promote diversity within the city of Sterling Heights.  Dechavez remnded members to work on ticket sales and ads for the next two weeks. C. Sister City Visit - Sorsogon City, Philippines  Dechavez stated that he has been working with the U. S. Embassy to assist with a visit from the Mayor of one of our sister cities, Sorsogon City, Philippines. The Mayor and three of her colleagues were awarded VISAs and they will be visiting Sterling Heights the weekend of September 13th, ending with a visit to City Hall on Monday, September 16th. Giallombardo will make reservations for lunch at Ike's Restaurant. Members are invited to attend, please RSVP to Giallombardo if you would like to attend. Dechavez added that there will be a picnic on Saturday, September 14 at Litch Park, 30100 Campbell Road in Warren from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Willie asked members to please attend if they are available. Giallombardo will forward the flyer via email. 8. Receipt of Correspondence: None 9. Old Business:  Giallombardo thanked those members that volunteered their time and energy to the Sterlingfest weekend and the Police National Night Out.  Allen stated that she really enjoyed attending the National Night Out in August again and stated that both events are well attended and they give nice exposure to the committee; she added that the committee should have better attendance at the events. 10. New Business: None 11. Adjournment. Meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.