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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Human Relations Commission - AHRC Minutes 2-23-2012M I N U T E S HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION February 23, 2012 The Ames Human Relations Commission meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. in Conference Room 135. Members present were Chairperson Aaron Fultz, Amy Longenecker, Amy Juhnke, and John Klaus. Public Forum Commissioner Klaus introduced Devita Harden, who had applied to be seated on the Human Relations Commission. Richard Deyo spoke about being denied the use of the projector at the last City Council meeting. He also felt that the City Council had rushed through the discussion of the City’s logo and tagline without public comment. Old Business Moved by Klaus and seconded by Longenecker to approve the December 15, 2011 minutes. Motion carried unanimously. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration - Aaron discussed the Martin Luther King, Jr. event. Attendance was similar to the previous year. A video was incorporated this year as well. John asked how the cake-cutting went. Aaron noted that it was good; ISU students helped serve cake. Students from the ISU Athletic Department helped as ushers. Humanitarian Award - Aaron discussed the Humanitarian Award. He noted that the Commission should analyze the criteria and see if they should be modified. It might also be good to look at the process to encourage nominations. John thought there would be good opportunities to publicize the award with the Boys’ and Girls’ Club, Youth and Shelter Services, and the Government of the Student Body. Volunteers might also be identified from YWCA, Rotary, the League of Women Voters, and local food pantries. John suggested that Amy Longenecker and Aaron get together to discuss the criteria before the next meeting. Amy Juhnke also suggested contacting the Story County Alliance for Philanthropy and the Volunteer Center of Story County. The award will be discussed at the next meeting. Amy Longenecker will forward the award document to the rest of the Commission. AMOS – Building Community Group Heather Withers and Mary Richards were present from AMOS to discuss a training opportun ity called “Undoing Racism,” which had been attended by one of their members. The cost is normally $12,000 to host the two-and-a-half-day training. A list was distributed of individuals who had attended an informational session and expressed interest in the training. Mary indicated that the Story County Foundation offers grants that she is working to apply for in order to provide scholarship opportunities to attend. AMOS is asking the Human Relations Commission to consider writing a letter of support for the grant. Mary and Heather plan to continue to update the Commission on this topic. There was discussion about the interest in sending a Commissioner to the training if it were offered. John indicated that he didn’t know exactly what the Commission’s budget was, but it was not much. Aaron noted that it may be possible to petition the City Council for funds to attend. Mary asked the Commission if it can help in identifying individuals or organizations to participate. Heather also passed around literature on a nonviolent confrontation resolution program that will be offered in June. New Business Employment Training – John indicated that he, Amy, and Kevin Stow had been working on the Employment Training Breakfast, to be held on June 24 from 8-10 AM in the Council Chambers. They are going to ask for funds to cover the cost of juice, coffee, and snacks. Panelists will answer questions regarding interviewing techniques, illegal questions, tax returns, and affirmative action. This will also serve as the monthly meeting for the Cyclone Society of Human Resource Managers. The event has been promoted through United Way and the Chamber of Commerce. It is planned that the panel session will be recorded using the Council Chambers video system. AHRC Annual Report – Aaron indicated his desire to assign individuals to complete sections of the annual report. He will find last year’s report and send out requests for commissioners to complete paragraphs on particular sections. Aaron planned to have a draft for review at the next meeting. Goals/Schedule – John noted that he would like to have some face time with the investigators and hearing officers at the next Commission meeting. He would like to hear about their experiences and training so the commissioners could become more familiar with them. There was a discussion about whether the Iowa Civil Rights Commission meeting should be attended. Amy Juhnke offered to attend its next meeting for the presentations and report back to the Commission. Aaron noted that the Commission hadn’t done much work on the bullying issue, despite opportunities to become engaged on it. He noted that the Commission hadn’t been effective in communicating with the school district. There is a need to provide support for the existing efforts on bullying, not necessarily to lead an effort on it. John explained that the issue is how to express to the public that there is a forum in the Human Relations Commission to be heard on these issues. He suggested using the City’s website and Channel 12 to publicize about the Human Relations Commission. Move by Klaus, seconded by Longenecker, for the Human Relations Commission to develop some kind of information card that can be given to school counselors for the parents of bullying victims, inviting them to talk to the Human Relations Commission about their experience. Motion carried unanimously. Amy Juhnke offered to develop the card. Aaron mentioned that something needs to be indicated on the next agenda for the Commission to discuss their activities for VEISHEA. Sheila offered to look into the parade and VEISHEA Village before the next commission meeting. Amy Juhnke mentioned that she would like to see participation in International Human Rights Day added to the calendar. She felt that there were opportunities to host art contests and have a proclamation or participation from the Mayor. The Commission will next meet on March 22, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. Adjournment The Commission adjourned at 6:45 p.m.