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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Human Relations Commission - AHRC Minutes 12-27-2012M I N U T E S HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION December 27, 2012 The regular meeting of the Ames Human Relations Commission was called to order at 5:32 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Members present were Chairperson Aaron Fultz, John Klaus, Barbara Woods, and Amy Juhnke. Devita Harden absent. Public Forum No one was present for Public Forum. Old Business Moved by Woods and seconded by Klaus to approve the November 15, 2012 minutes. Motion carried unanimously. New Business A. Review AHRC brochure as prepared by Commissioner Juhnke. Ms. Juhnke handed out a copy of the revisions to the brochure and would like email comments back by January 10, 2013 and then Juhnke will prepare a final version. Ms. Mundt will coordinate with City staff for internal review. B. Discussion About Upcoming Activities for the Commission 1. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on January 21st at 6 p.m. at the Ames Middle School. Fultz will work on obtaining serving items for the cake that has been ordered. Volunteers serve the cake, once it is cut by the Commission. The Commission is requested to be present. 2. Humanitarian Award –Mr. Klaus asked if the award is in the presentation brochure or is being advertised. Mr. Fultz will present the humanitarian award on behalf of the Human Relations Commission. Ms. Juhnke shared medal options for the award. Woods moved to do a medal and have Juhnke prepare it for the awardee. This was seconded by Klaus. Motion carried unanimously. Woods stated that the nominees were all so different and one was employed in the business and the others were doing it from a community based perspective. Ms. Woods discussed Debra Lee’s community involvement, and Juhnke concurred with her comments. Mr. Klaus discussed the three nominees and their backgrounds, stating that they were all commendable. He said he would like the Commission to consider giving three awards. Ms. Juhnke said she is concerned about future years if all three were given. Mr. Fultz said Debra Lee is the type of person that this award was intended for. Ms. Woods said she was looking at grassroots level of involvement and engagement in the community and in formal projects related to human relations. Mr. Fultz noted that others could be nominated in future. Ms. Woods moved the selection of Debra Lee for the 2013 Humanitarian Award. Ms. Juhnke said she was happy with the nominees. Mr. Klaus stated that the grassroots level of involvement is the correct direction of the award. The motion was seconded by Juhnke. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Fultz will invite Ms. Lee to the award ceremony and draft a letter of thanks to the other nominators. C. Annual Report –Mr. Fultz led the discussion on the format and timing of the report. Ms. Juhnke asked if we had data on complaints that were filed. Fultz agreed that adding that would be a good idea. Woods suggests that commissioners give reports on any meetings that they attended outside of AHRC. Woods also wanted to include that the investigators attended several meetings and helped at FACES. Mundt will send out highlights from the 2012 minutes and provide a format for the report and a list of tasks to be completed. Ms. Mundt will complete the data portion. Goals will need to be updated and ideas from the strategic plan can be incorporated. D. Strategic Planning for 2013 --Mr. Klaus was interested in getting an outside expert to talk. Ms. Woods also brought up mental disorders and what constitutes discrimination in this area. Public awareness is also something to be looking at in the plan. Also training for the new commission that will be seated in March as well. Looking at social media as well. Ms. Juhnke suggests looking at early February over a long lunch. The Commission agreed to set a lunch meeting to discuss the Strategic Planning process in depth. Commissioner Comments Mr. Klaus told the group that received Time Magazine featuring President Obama as Person of the Year. He shared a quote from the President: “The truth is, that we have steadily become a more diverse and tolerant country that embraces people’s differences and respects people who are not like us. That’s a profoundly good thing. That’s one of the strengths of America.” Ms. Woods asked if there has been any stress in the community. The Commissioners have not noted anything. Ms. Woods noted the only issue that she has been contacted about recently is mental illness. Fultz says that he sees mental illness frequently in his work as an attorney. Time and Date of Next Meeting The next meeting will be January 24, 2013 at 5:30 p.m. Adjournment Moved by Fultz and seconded by Juhnke to adjourn at 6:32 p.m. It was noted that investigators are not receiving the agendas.