Ethnic Community Committee

City of Sterling Heights ETHNIC COMMUNITY COMMITTEE Unofficial minutes of the Wednesday, May 6, 2020 regular meeting, via Zoom conference call. MEMBERS PRESENT: Sharron Allen Willie Dechavez Kozeta Elzhenni Abul Patwary Iqbal Singh Shawn Taylor Carmen Williams Stacy Williams MEMBERS ABSENT: Mohammed Alomari Abbott Basal Susan Kattula OFFICIALS PRESENT: Community Relations Services Specialist Sue Giallombardo 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda: MOTION by Elzhenni, SECONDED by C. Williams. Approved 8-0 4. Approval of Minutes: MOTION by Allen, SECONDED by Elzhenni. Approved 8-0 5. Communication from Citizens:  None 6. Communications from the Sterling Heights Police Dept.-Sgt. Kevin Reese: None 7. Agenda A. Building Bridges  Dechavez stated that May is Asian Pacific American Heritage month. He added that he attended many events throughout February, such as the Black Excellence vendor show, an ACLU meeting at the city’s Velocity Center, and also set up a Welcoming Diveristy display at the Community Center and attended their Grand Opening on Feb. 29.  Dechavez said that the has also attended a Town Hall meeting regarding Census 2020 on March 3 and several virtual workshops since the quarantine started, promoting the Census.  Dechavez gave an update on the Feeding Program that he helped put into action in Sampaloc, Sorsogon City, Philippines. The program will provide 60 lunches to  under-privileged children. Children will be weighed at the end of the program. Dechavez created a Go Fund Me fundraiser for his birthday on April 16 that raised additional funding for this program.  Allen stated that she also attended the Black Excellence vendor show and also set up a display for Black History month at the library, along with C. Williams.  C. Williams participated in a photo session celebrating African American women of Macomb County.  Giallombardo reminded members to share photos and stories on the Sterling Heights Ethnic Community Committee facebook page by submitting information to Sharron or Kozetta. B. Cultural Exchange 2020 Wrap Up  Giallombardo stated that she received all positive feedback regarding this year’s Cultural Exchange. The event was more challenging due to the new venue, however she thanked all of the members for helping with the coordination throughout the evening. Giallombardo noted that Dechavez did an excellent job at MC-ing the event and kept the entertainment running smoothly.  Giallombardo noted areas of improvement, such as the food lines. She stated that she didn’t realize some of the stanchions had been destroyed at Sterlingest, so the line will be set up in a better format going forward.  Elzhenni stated that the entertainment should be screened prior to the event. Giallombardo stated that this is hard to do when the performers are new. The form states that this is a family-friendly event. S. Williams suggested that each performer be called once they are finalized, and reminded of the family-friendly format and of the ten minute limit on their performance.  Singh asked if there could be a room open for the performers to change and said that many of the performers didn’t know where to go. Giallombardo stated that there were locker rooms and bathrooms at the top of the stairs and at the other end of the hall, and signs. She added that we will add more volunteers and better signage for next year.  Taylor stated that performers didn’t know where the sound man was either, we will work on that for next year as well.  Dechavez noted that the Cultural Exchange received great media coverage in the Macomb Daily, Metromode and the Filipino Star News. 8. Receipt of Correspondence: None 9. Old Business:  Allen said that the Committee’s facebook page is getting new followers but she had to remove a post due to its content. Allen and Elzhenni will continue to administer the page as appropriate.  Giallombardo reminded members to continue to promote the Census and encourage all of their family, friends and colleagues to complete the survey.  Allen asked about the progress of the Committee’s name change, Giallombardo stated that she emailed Marc Kaszubski for an update and hadn’t heard back from him, she will follow-up for the June meeting.  Giallombardo stated that the Memorial Day ceremony and parade have been cancelled, but that Allen will be asked to take part in a virtual book reading to honor veterans the week leading up to Memorial Day. 10. New Business:   Giallombardo said that the city has set up a Senior Assistance Hotline for residents that need help during the quarantine, and asked members to pass the number along to anyone that might need it, 586-446-2757. Volunteers will be able to help where they can. 11. Adjournment. Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.