Community Relations Commission

Wednesday, September 6, 2023 7:00 to 8:30 pm Gamon Room, Wheaton City Hall In-Person or Virtual Attendance I. Call to Order Erica called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm II. Welcome III. Roll Call In Person: Meg Beasley, Andrea Clayton, Mike Hodel, Erica Nelson, Laura Peccarelli, David Sohmer, Ben Waterman, Angela Welker Via Zoom: Scott Chedister, Saleha Jawaid, and Ines Valdez Absent: Sam Hardy and Marco Scola IV. Approval of Minutes a. Approval of minutes from August 2, 2023. Laura motioned that the minutes be approved as presented; seconded by Ben. Minutes approved. IV. Old Business a. Festival of Cultures - WCRC Program i. Day-of-event plan and assignments 1. Arrive at 11 am 2. Tables arrive at 11:30 3. Decorations and banners 4. Streets closed and bathrooms open at 11 am 5. Security - walk-through by community officers 6. Rotate staffing the information table ii. US Constitution Day and Citizenship Day booth 1. Exchange Club of Wheaton and League of Women Voters a. Voter engagement, constitution, citizenship b. Civics game for kids c. Pocket Constitutions i. Difficult to find mini constitutions; Angie will look into placing an online order iii. Subcommittee updates 1. Entertainment and cultural booth updates - Erica a. Tony Asta and Haaris Uddin will emcee the event b. Local officials will include council, Terra Costa Howard, Amy Grant, and Delia Ramirez c. Went over timeline (performers, sponsor recognitions, speakers) d. Cultural booth will receive reminder letters on Friday i. 21 participants confirmed for booths; goal was 20 2. Communications - Meg a. Daily Herald, Suburban Living, Wheaton Patch and online publications b. Shared through city, D200, and other social media sites c. Passport and program are in production COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES September 6, 2023 3. T-shirts - Sam says t-shirts are done and look great 4. Student art submissions - Angie 5. We received seven submissions 6. Winner is Noah Cho freshman from Wheaton North a. All entries will be displayed at Festival (11x17) iv. Student volunteers - Andrea 1. Wheaton North Key Club a. Day of Festival of Cultures i. Set up tables, clean up, and help with activities 1. 7 volunteers for two shifts: 12-2 pm and 4-6 pm 2. T-shirts and lunch provided to students b. Flyer distribution i. Saturday, September 2 - done ii. Saturday, September 9 1. Ines is point person v. Food trucks 1. Cilantro tacos had to withdraw because truck is broken 2. Laura is trying to get another taco truck 3. Waiting on certificates of insurance vi. Extra Volunteer Needs 1. Purchase toy giveaways - Scott 2. Cooler with small water bottles - Saleha 3. Erica - first aid kit 4. Small bucket, rags, and table cleaner - Sam 5. Photographer and video provided by city vii. Prizes - earth key chains, stress balls, planes, and other travel-related 1. Budget of $250 2. Toy Chest - Erica will get something viii. Subcommittees to provide contacts and information for FOC files V. New Business a. Wheaton Gives Back - WCRC program with partners i. Date of Stuff-the-Truck event is later this year: October 27 ii. Winter Gear Collection October 1 - 31 1. The DWA is once again participating and will help identify collection sites. 2. Meg contacted Park District as a collection site 3. Need help delivering boxes to locations at the end of September b. Community outreach and education i. Invite local Wheaton not-for-profit organizations to give short presentations on their purpose and efforts at monthly CRC meetings ii. Get to know more about the organizations in the community and adding new programs and generating new ideas and building relationships 1. Focus areas as directed by annual report (veterans, seniors, disabled) iii. Encourage members to attend and present at council meetings c. Annual report and budget due on October 15 i. Overview of last year’s report is a good template ii. Adding new programs and focus iii. Keep anchor programs and further develop other programs 2 COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES September 6, 2023 VI. Public Comment VII. Adjournment at 8:20 pm VIII. Signed Community Relations Commission Chair October 4, 2023 3