Community Relations Commission
Regular MeetingWheaton, IL · October 2, 2019
Minutes
FINAL MINUTES
Wednesday, October 2, 2019 - 7 - 8:30 pm
Gamon Room
I. Call to Order 7 pm
II. Welcome to visiting students from Wheaton North High School and the Jones Family
III. Roll Call
Present: Asta, Attwell, Forrest, Frederick, Jawaid, Nelson, Sivak, Smith
Absent: Incarnati
IV. Approval of Minutes: Minutes approved for September 4 meeting
V. Citizens to be heard: visiting students and guests introduced themselves
VI. Continuing Business
a. Saleha Jawaid was approved to serve on commission. Welcome!
b. Alex Mayster’s term expired and he will not be continuing on the commission. Thank
you Alex for your excellent service!
c. Commission is actively looking for volunteers. Everyone to recruit!
d. Finance: Still waiting for final numbers but we are in good shape thus far.
e. Social Media: No report.
f. Sponsorship: Katie Sivak will write thank you notes to sponsors for Festival of Cultures.
g. Festival of Cultures: Date next year is September 13, 2020. Great event this year:
CERT counted 815, about flat from last year. Weather definitely impacted us negatively
as it originally looked like a washout rain wise! We had:
These appreciated sponsors: Milton Township, First Wheaton Bank, Downtown
Wheaton Association, Dry City Brew Works, Fine and Cultural Arts Commission, and
thank you Ivy Restaurant for the giftcards.
Twenty two cultural groups!
Six performances: William (flute,) Native American dance, Wheaton College Gospel
choir, Los Chinelos, Tunes of Glory Pipes and Drums, Mandi Theater Indian Dance
Two Food trucks: Knos Ice and Burritoville
Six marketplace vendors, a new feature which was well received: Chicago Fair Trade,
Ten Thousand Villages, Blossom Inspirations, Terra Klay and Deccan Footprints, Sweet
Beginnings and Kijura
Three interactive arts: Little Sihks, Burning Bush with a grant from ArtDupage, and
Wheaton College Community Arts
Two migration stories and a drum circle
COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Month Date, Year
The Passport cover was designed by a High School student through a competitive
contest, we had extensive volunteer participation (THANK YOU Milton Township CERT,
WCRC, Tom Cameron, Chris Riesling, the Islamic Center, Cristobal and Rafael from
Immigrant Solidarity DuPage, and Martin Attwell photographer extraordinaire!
h. Make a Difference Day:
i. Monday October 7 6:45 commission with May, meet with guests for Pads and
Resource Center to issue proclamation.
ii. Thursday October 24 11-1 Group tour Pads and serve lunch.
i. Good Citizens: Date for 2020 will be May 18.
j. Military Initiative: Decided not to do survey, might do something for Thanksgiving in
November or Holidays in December. Setting up interviews with veteran’s organizations
and groups.
VII. New Business
Suggested by Erica Nelson we need to plan events for 2020 and have a guide/map.
VIII. Adjournment at 830 pm
Finalized by GForrest 121019
I.
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Agenda
Wednesday, October 2, 2019 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Gamon Room of Wheaton City Hall
I. Call to Order
II. Welcome
III. Roll Call
IV. Approval of Minutes
V. Citizens to be Heard
VI. Continuing Business
·Finance/Social Media Reports/Other Meeting Reports
·Committee Reports
VII. New Business
VIII. Adjournment
OFFICERS
Chair: Gail Forrest
Vice Chair: Colleen Atwell
Treasurer: OPEN
Secretary: OPEN
Communications: OPEN
COMMITTEE LEADERS
Festival of Cultures Tony Asta Lead, Erica Nelson Co-Chair
Good Citizens Awards Colleen Attwell Lead, OPEN Co-Chair
Make A Difference Day Larniecia Smith Lead, Kay Frederick Co-Chair
Military Initiatives Erica Nelson Lead, OPEN Co-chair
Business Sponsorship Katie Sivak Lead, OPEN Co-chair
KEY RELATIONSHIPS - COMMISSIONER OWNER
Government - Mayor and City Council OPEN
Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Gail Forrest
Downtown Wheaton Assn Gail Forrest
Wheaton Rotary Erica Nelson
CUSD 200 Colleen Attwell