Ethnic Community Committee

City of Sterling Heights ETHNIC COMMUNITY COMMITTEE Unofficial minutes of the Thursday, October 3, 2019 regular meeting. MEMBERS PRESENT: Sharron Allen Abbott Basal Willie Dechavez Kozeta Elzhenni Abul Patwary Iqbal Singh Shawn Taylor Carmen Williams Stacy Williams MEMBERS ABSENT: Mohammed Alomari Susan Kattula OFFICIALS PRESENT: Community Relations Director Melanie Davis Community Relations Services Specialist Sue Giallombardo 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda: MOTION by Allen; SECONDED by Elzhenni. Approved 9-0 4. Approval of Minutes: MOTION by Allen to approve the minutes as amended; SECONDED by Patwary. Approved 9-0 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. Steve Slancik, Principal at Schuchard Elementary  Mr. Slancik was in attendance to discuss an event that will be held at Schuchard Elementary, where is is principal. The school will be holding their First Annual Cultural Celebration Day on Friday, November 1st. Schuchard is very rich in diversity, with a prominent Chaldean population of 70% of the students. Schuchard is the most diverse school in the Utica Community School District, with 85% of the students speaking English as a second language. Other cultures include Indian, Bangladesh, Chinese, Albanian and Bosnian. Slancik added that this event will give students the opportunity to talk about their own culture or they can discuss the American culture. Along with the student presentations, they are  asking for groups or individuals to share their culture and educate the students. Anyone is welcome to participate. Slancik asked members to forward his information to organizations that they are affiliated with. The e-mail address is stephen.slancik@utica.k12.org. Please contact Mr. Slancik if you are interested. Everyone is welcome to attend. Dechavez stated that he is a retired teacher; adding that he taught for 25 years in Detroit and coordinated the schools’ multi- cultural outreach. Dechavez stated that he would like to participate. B. 2019 Diversity Disctinction Award Dinner Wrap-up  Giallombardo stated that the dinner was the largest to date, with 250 guests and $3,700 in sponsorships.  Iqbal extended congratulations to Dechavez and the rest of the Committee.  Dechavez stated that he worked hard on securing sponsor ads and was also impressed with the entire evening and the transistions during the award presentation part of the evening.  Giallombardo went over the Profit Statement, which showed an approximate total profit of $2,300. Giallombardo thanked members for their particiation and help in making the event such a great success. Giallombardo added that the manager of the Macedonian Cultural Center reached out and would like for the event to be hosted at their venue for 2020. C. Cultural Exchange 2020  Giallombardo stated that the Cultural Exchange will be the first event taking place in the new Community Center, slated to open in February 2020. City Administration will likely tie in the ribbon cutting with the Cultural Exchange.  Participation forms will be ready for distribution at the December meeting. Once the Center is suitable for a tour, Giallombardo will coordinate a tour with Kyle Langlois and members of the Committee. 8. Receipt of Correspondence: None 9. Old Business:  Regarding our sisiter city, Sorsogon City, Philippines, Dechavez said that he had a wonderful visit with the Mayor from Sorsogon City and three of her colleagues, who were here for a long weekend at the end of September. Dechavez arranged several activies for the group, including a picnic on Saturday, a trip to Detroit and the DIA on Sunday, and lunch at Ike’s Restaurant on Monday, where the group was joined by the Mayor Taylor, Councilman Radtke, Councilman Yanez, Mark Vanderpool and members from Community Relations. Dechavez thanked Sharron Allen and Iqbal Singh for attending as well. SHTV ran a story on the city’s social media, and the Macomb Daily ran a great story on their website. Giallombardo will forward both items to the group. Dechavez stated that he will be going to Sorsogon City in November, and will also visit Legazpi, Philipinnes, which is also a sister city to Sterling Heights. Dechavez is urging members of the Committee and members of City Council to visit the Philippines and our sister cities.  Dechavez stated that he would like members to continue supporting and attending events put on by other organizations. He added that there is a display at the DIA celebrating Philppine Heritage Day that will soon be moving to Lansing. Dechavez added that as members of the Ethnic Community Committee, members  have an obligation and a responsibility to share their heritage and learn about others.  Allen inquired about purchasing the internationa flags to sell during Sterlingfest and said that Stacy Williams gave a list of suggested country flags to order. Giallombardo stated that the flags are about $2.00 a piece and said that she will continue shopping for a better deal. Elzhenni stated that she purchased 50 flags from Albania during her recent visit. 10. New Business:  Dechavez stated that if a committee member would like an official proclamation by the State of Michigan recognizing a country’s heritage month, he can work with State Representative Nate Shannon to have one created.  Carmen Williams inquired about purchasing additional “One City, Many Cultures” t-shirts for members to wear and to sell. Giallombardo will take size requests from members and place a new order, if the budget allows. 11. Adjournment. Meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.