Community Relations Commission

Community Relation Commission Meeting Wednesday, October 5, 2020 7:00 – 8:00 pm Virtual Meeting I. Call to Order 7:15 - There were some technical difficulties. Some were unable to open ZOOM link. II. Welcome everyone – Happy Birthday to Krista! III. Roll Call – Present: Colleen Attwell, Katie Sivak, Saleha Jawaid, Larniecia Smith, Jennifer Sever, Rachel Bautista, Kay Frederick, Krista Selvey, Erica Nelson, and Tony Asta. Absent: Kristen Santiago IV. Approval of Minutes – Erica Nelson motioned to approve August minutes. Katie Sivak seconded the motion. Motion approved. V. Committee Updates – a.) Larniecia Smith gave the Make A Difference Day update. Wheaton’s Community Relations Commission works to raise awareness and promote projects that give back to the community on Make a Difference Day, which is celebrated on the fourth Saturday of October. KEY DATES:  Monday, October 5, 2020  Thursday, October 22, 2020  Friday, October 23, 2020  Saturday, October 24, 2020 Service day projects include Stuff-A-Truck with the People's Resource Center and Beautifying Adams Park. Social distancing will be observed and masks will be required. More info on the service day projects can be found below. Make A Difference Day Proclamation was presented at the Oct. 5 City Council meeting. Jennifer Sever updated all on the communications plan. (Attachment) This Year's Partners:  Student Excellence Foundation  People's Resource Center  City of Wheaton Forestry Division b.) Veterans update – Erica and Saleha are working on plan to present to MCHV re donations to their canteen. Also working on a communications piece. A veteran member  COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION DRAFT MEETING MINUTES January 8, 2020 of Cantigny Post 556 contacts the commission to inquire about a partnership. Erica will follow-up. c.) Poinsettia update – Katie Sivak said she’ll update everyone once she hears of the date they are available. Tony Asta asked for feedback for viable recipients. VI. New Business- Rachel Bautista reminded everyone of the Speaker Series, DIE, that has been set up Courtney at the Wheaton Public Library. DIE stands for Diversity, Inclusion and Equity, set up in the interest of a parent advocacy group to initiate a forum to engage the community on this topic. It meets the 1st Thursday of the month and is a webinar. Below is a video of the first event for the "Talking about Race" speaker series. Rachel would like everyone to consider committing to participating in a panel. October 5 - Should we be Colorblind?  November 5 - What does it mean to be White?  December 3 - Systematic Racism  January 7 - Becoming Antiracist Tony brought up Laura Pecorelli as a possible new member of the commission. He invited her to next meeting. Erica will let us know about Susan. Erica thanked Colleen and Tony for keeping the commission running with the loss of Gail Forrest. “Thank you, especially Colleen, for keeping us focused. We couldn’t do it without you.” Adjournment – 8:01 Erica motioned to adjourn, Katie second. Motion approved. Next meeting: Wednesday, November 4. 2