Community Relations Commission

COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES WHEATON CITY HALL, 303 W WESLEY STREET, WHEATON, ILLINOIS 60187 Wednesday, April 10,2024 7:00 to 8:30 pm Gamon Room, Wheaton City HaII In-Person or Virtual Attendance I. Call to Order a. Meeting was called to order at 7:09 pm. II. Weleome Mission: The Community Relations Commission's puqiose is to foster and promote understanding, mutual respect, cooperation, and positive relations in a diverse inclusive community. The Community Relations Commission is also to promote increased participation in all aspects ofcommunity life and a sense ofshared community among all residents. m. Roll CaU In person: Meg Beasley, Kathy Bushong, Aadrea Clayton, MikeHodel, Erica Nelson, Laura Peccarelli, David Sohmer, Shauna Thorson, and Ben Waterman, and Angela Welker Zoom: Scott Chedister Absent: Sam Hardy and Saleha Jawaid FV. Approval ofMinutes Laura motioned for the March 6, 2024 minutes to be approved and Angela seconded. Minutes were approved. V. Old Business a. Women's History Month Recap i. We Are Women art exhibit (partner program with DuPage Art League and Downtown Wheaton Association) - Andrea 1. Allwentwell a. Positive, supportive partnerships with Downtown Wheaton Association, DuPage Art League, and local schools b. Businesses were happy to display art ii. Wheaton Women profiles - Erica 1. Reintroduced Wheaton Womea profiles after a hiatus using a theme. This year's profiles focused on women artists in Wheaton. 2. The city created a video featuring the artists and updates the page with bios and photos ofthe artists. a. Commissioa commended Susan Bishel, Halie Cardmal, Tom O'Brien for theu- support 3. Erica received a request for information: 4. Meg will share the Wheaton Women website link with commissioners iii. Clara Barton living history program (partner program with Wheaton Public Library and League ofWomen Voters ofWheaton) - Meg 1. Megan Wells portrayed Clara Barton 2. 44 people attended in person and another 124 virtually 3. The library received positive feedback on the program iv. Suggestions for 2025 Events 1. Start the process earlier 2. Involve more commissioners 3. Devise a better way for WWSHS to submit artist bios 4. Promote the library program to the schools (PTAs) and enhance additional  uuuuuuuiiy uuiicauu VI.NewBusiness a. D-Day Update - David, Laura, and Erica i. Meeting with Paul Bischofi, Sr. took place 1. Paul is putting together a schedule 2. Cantigny is doing a full event to commemorate D-Day 3. Committee will reach out to veterans 4. Interviews with people from American Legion (Wheaton stoiy) 5. DuPage Historical Museum is not planning an event, but items related to D-Day arc oa display a. Laura reached out for additional information, but the museum chaiges for research. b. Midwest Shelter for Veterans are not doing an event, but would like to be included b. Festival ofCultures update (WCRC program) - Erica i. Date: Sunday, September 15 is confumed at Memorial Park fi-om 1 until 5 pm ii. Erica is reaching out to key players (sound, performers to hold the date) 1. May have to linait entertainment 2. First day ofNational Hispanic Heritage Month starts on September 15 c. Calendar ofupcoining Community Presentations for WCRC meetings i. May 1 - Need to identify a community organization 1. Future ideas: Alyssa Bany ofDistrict 200, 6000 Moms, Police CUef, and People's Resource Center. ii. Good Citizens Awards (WCRC program) - Angie, Scott, Ben iii. May 20th reception: food and commissioner responsibilities 1. Committee will contact city regarding recipient letters and Meg will ensure Ihat bios are written. 2. Commissioners needed for the night ofthe event a. Amve eariy 5 pm for the reception to greet the recipients b. Reception is at 6 pm c. Budget is $2,380 (awards, yard signs, food, decor, etc) iv. Outreach this year mcluded: 1. Flyers, Facebook and Instagram, conuns (featured in Wheaton Patch and Daily Herald), and outreach to additional not-for-profits v. Received 20 nominations in the adult category and 3 in the youth category vi. Selection of 2024 Recipients 1. Discussion- a. Some non-Wheaton residents were nominated i. Will discuss whelfaer or not providing service here in Wheaton would be enough to make nonresidents those eligible for the award. Will discuss as part ofthe recap as a possible change in 2025. (Perhaps a separate category) b. Only three students were nominated and commission wants to increase submissions: i. Andrea C., for one, did spread the word through her involvement in fhe Wheaton Warrenville PTA Council ii. May need to send out reminders to school contacts iii. One idea to create interest is to meet kids where they are by making a video featuring this year's recipients. Video could be distributed through schools, PTAs, and Scouting groups, on social media, including TikTok which is popular with students. Make a video ofthis year's recipients to use to promote nominations for 2025. iv. Commissioners reviewed top candidates based on the blmd survey completed before the meeting. c. After a briefdiscussion, Angie moved to accept the top nominations for Good Citizens Awards; David seconded and the motion passed. Suc adults and three student Good Citizens Award recipients were selected. VII. Public Comment VIH. Adjoumment a. Meeting adjoumed at 8:25 (Laura moved to adjoum; Ben seconded.) -^- ^ ^7-"- c^<^