Cultural & Social Awareness Commission

MINUTES CITY OF WOODSTOCK CULTURAL AND SOCIAL AWARENESS COMMISSION January 24, 2022 A Regular Meeting of the City of Woodstock Cultural and Social Awareness Commission was called to order at 5:07 PM on Monday, January 24, 2022 by Chairperson Juanita Vega. A roll call was taken. COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: John Kendall, Crystal Squires, and Chairperson Juanita Vega. COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Jose Rivera and Joe Starzynski. STAFF PRESENT: Human Resources Director/Staff Liaison Deb Schober and City Clerk Cindy Smiley OTHERS PRESENT: Abdul Akel ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES Motion by C. Squires, second by J. Kendall, to accept the minutes of the December 5, 2021 meeting as presented. Ayes: Kendall, Squires, and Chairperson Vega. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: Rivera and Starzynski. Motion carried. 4. DISCUSSION ITEMS A general discussion took place of the various agenda items. Commission Membership Noting the Commission presently has two vacancies, Chairperson Vega asked Ms. Schober if there is any news on the review of the two pending applications. Ms. Schober noted Mr. Akel’s application was returned to him for completion and has not been returned. Mr. Akel stated he did return it via snail mail, but will resubmit a new application. Ms. Schober suggested Mr. Akel resubmit the application through the City’s website, stating she will also see that he gets one. Chairperson Vega stated she referred the second applicant who was told she could not serve because she did not live in Woodstock. Ms. Schober confirmed four members of the Commission must live in Woodstock, per the City Code, noting presently there are three residents and two non-residents. She stated the Mayor speaks with the applicants and makes the appointments. She will speak with Ms. Howie in the Mayor’s Office, as it is she who will speak with the Mayor and set up the interviews with the Mayor. In response to Chairperson Vega’s request, Mr. Akel provided information about himself, stating he had always lived in a diverse community, until moving to Pingree Grove at age 13. Noting he did not go to a diverse high school, he stated this opened his eyes to racism. Opining there needs to be  Cultural and Social Awareness Commission 01/24/22 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 more acceptance of diversity, he stated he always wanted to fight for what is right, but never took the initiative thinking someone else would do it. Noting his company offers training, Mr. Akel stated he has taken courses and learned about many aspects of racism, especially in the mortgage loan business. Mr. Akel stated his family, including his three daughters, love everything about Woodstock. He stated he wants to get more involved in the community, feeling it is his responsibility to do so. He stated when he heard about the Cultural and Social Awareness Commission, it raised his opinion of Woodstock even further; and he felt that is where he would like to get involved. He opined it is his responsibility to be a voice for his community. Mr. Akel stated he has realized it does not matter how cool people are or where they come from, what matters is whether they share values and mindsets. He opined there is a lot to be done in our world, our country, our state, and our city. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) Program – Diversity Celebration Sundays Chairperson Vega noted there are three topics suggested for 2022 opining there are two of last year’s topics that should be revisited this year also: Race and LGBTQIA+. She stated these were the two most successful programs last year, both in terms of attendance and sponsorships, suggesting a second session for both be held. Noting people are still asking her for a copy of the presentations, a brief discussion ensued of how this can be made available to the public. Ms. Schober stated she will place the presentations on the website, if copies are provided to her. Commissioner Kendall suggested reducing the number of events to four rather than six so the Commission can focus more time on them, holding them December through March when people have less going on and there would be less competition from other events and activities. He also suggested having a dedicated person whose responsibility it would be to market the events. In response to a comment from Chairperson Vega to include the Religions and Holidays of the World topics that were postponed from last year, Commissioner Kendall suggested this year’s Diversity Celebration Sundays could kick off with Holidays of the World in December and proceed with the other three topics. He stated this would give the Commission more time to on-board the new members and lay the groundwork for the Program, including syncing up the various social media posts. Commissioner Squires agreed, opining holding the events consecutively would provide a continual conversation and give the Commission an opportunity to do other things, also, if it wishes. She stated people will also know when the events are. She also opined the World Holidays event could be marketed with the other holiday events, which may draw more attendees including families. In response to Chairperson Vega’s expressed concern that there will be almost a year between events, Commissioner Squires stated this would provide an opportunity to on-board the new members and create a plan and vision around the Commission. She opined the Commission needs one vision or message, feeling there is more the Commission can do. She noted examples including an initiative to look at pronouns in City documents and raising the City’s inclusion rating.  Cultural and Social Awareness Commission 01/24/22 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 Discussion of this followed with Chairperson Vega opining it could be marketed as a year to invite people from the community to get their views on how to help Woodstock be more diverse. She suggested inviting people from the schools, City government, and the Police, for example. Noting the difficulty in getting public participation, Commissioner Squires stated they can be asked, but it will be up to the Commission to research and work through this. She stated people need to know the Commission is taking action on these things. Discussion followed of creating a Plan for the Commission, including inclusion of a Mission Statement and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. It was opined decisions on the DEI Program should be postponed until the new Commission members are seated. It was suggested in the interim the Commissioners should review and become familiar with the City Code section pertaining to the Commission, especially for message and direction. It was the consensus of the Commission to postpone the discussion of the DEI Program and creation of a Plan for the Commission until the appointment and seating of new members and attendance by members absent today. 5. NEXT MEETING DATE Following a brief discussion, March 21, 2022 at 5:00 PM was established as the Commission’s next meeting date, prior to which the members will review and research as previously discussed. 6. PUBLIC COMMENT Abdul Akel stated after attending this meeting, he feels the Commission has good ideas and is heading in the right direction. He thanked them for their work. Chairperson Vega thanked him for his interest in serving on the Commission. ADJOURN Motion by C. Squires, second by J. Kendall, to adjourn this meeting of the Cultural and Social Awareness Commission to a Special Meeting at 5:00 PM on Monday, March 21, 2022 in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall. Ayes: Kendall, Squires, and Chairperson Vega. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: Rivera and Starzynski. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:10 PM. Respectfully submitted, Cindy Smiley, City Clerk  Cultural and Social Awareness Commission 01/24/22 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4 City of O ffice o f t he Cit y Cl er k phone 815-338-4301 C i n d y S m i l e y, C i t y C l e r k fax 815-334-2269 Jane Howie, Chief Deputy Clerk 1 2 1 W. C a l h o u n S t r e e t w w w . wo o d s t o c ki l . go v Wo o d s t o c k, I L 6 0 0 9 8 AGENDA CITY OF WOODSTOCK CULTURAL AND SOCIAL AWARENESS COMMISSION Monday, January 24, 2022 5:00 p.m. A Regular Meeting of the Cultural and Social Awareness Commission will be held in person on Monday, January 24, 2022 at 5:00PM in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall, 121 W. Calhoun Street, Woodstock, Illinois. Commissioners unable to attend are asked to notify the Human Resources Department at 815- 338-1172. 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Acceptance of Minutes – December 5th meeting 4. Discussion Items a. Commission membership – 5 of 7 spots are filled. Do we wish to seek out 2 more Commissioners or ask the Mayor to reduce our Commission back to 5 spots? Or reduce to 6 and find 1 more Commissioner? b. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Program - Diversity Celebration Sundays Frequency of Events ii. Topics for 2022 1. Religions – FaithBridge, Judaism, Islam, Bah’ai and Buddhism 2. Age Diversity / Age Friendly Community - Andrew Celentano and/or Terry Willcockson 3. Working toward DEI in the environmental world - Cynthia Kanner & EDMC 5. Next Meeting date 6. Public Comments 7. Other Discussion Items 8. Adjourn In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this meeting is located in a facility that is physically accessible to those who have disabilities and is being conducted via ZOOM. If additional reasonable accommodations are necessary for persons who under the Act have a “disability” please contact the HR Department at (815) 338-1172 at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.