October 17, 2018 Human rights commission

td_human_rights_commission_10_17_18.pdf
File Size:	98 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

---

Human Rights Commission

Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at 7:00pm
O’Brien Meeting Room, Town Hall

In attendance: Margaret Adams (Secretary), Robert Blaney (arrived 7:35), Joseph Borsellino (Chair), Mayanne Briggs, Deputy Chief Michael Buckley, Will Dashe, Chris Kelly, Amy Lafont, Lianna Manos (arrived 7:25), Margaret Matthews

Missing: Steve Heaslip, Diane Loud (Vice Chair), Russell Poole

Human Rights Commission Agenda

• Public Input
  
• Approval of Meeting Minutes
  
• Dr. King Celebration Planning
  
• Mission Statement and Logo Design
  
• Calendar of Events and Comparison of Neighboring HRC’s activities
  
• Possible Grant Opportunity for Events
  
• Outreach to Different Agencies and Organizations in Dedham
  
• Old/New Business
  

Chairman Joe Borsellino began the meeting at 7:12pm.

Public Input
Chair asked if there was any public input.  There was none.

Approval of Meeting Minutes
Chair noted minutes for this meeting taken by member Margaret Adams.

Mission Statement
The Commission discussed wording for the Mission Statement.  The group decided to share the draft for another month to ensure those members missing would have a chance to review and would vote on the statement at the November meeting.

Logo Design
Chair Borsellino shared examples of logos used by the Human Rights Commissions in both Needham and Newton and asked if there could be a role for the public to develop or even vote on the designs.  He asked if students could submit designs.

Member Margaret Adams said that School Superintendent Michael Welch offered to have students help with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration and suggested they could be engaged to help with logo design.  Member Mayanne Briggs offered to reach out to the Superintendent and will report back to Commission. The tentative plan was to have the possible designs displayed at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration and the Commission to vote on the final design at the February meeting.

Dr. King Celebration Planning
Liveable Dedham has offered to set up a volunteer fair for participants to learn more about opportunities to engage in town.

Member Adams said she had applied for a grant from the Cultural Counsel for a dance troupe that has performed at the JFK Library at previous Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations.

She said the plan for the event in Dedham would be:

• 4:30 - Dance performance at Middle School gym
  
• 5:30 - Dinner
  
• 6:30 - one hour program consisting of one student speaker, one band and one chorus performance, one dance performance with local students and one keynote speaker.
  

Various speakers were suggested and the Commission will discuss along with the DPS Inclusion Task Force.

Deputy Chief Michael Buckley offered to coordinate the outreach for food donations.

Member Mayanne Briggs suggested the Commission meet at the Middle School and combine for part of the time with the DPS Inclusion Task Force to help plan the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.

Calendar of Events and Comparison of Neighboring HRC’s activities
Chair Borsellino shared the type of events highlighted on both the Needham and Newton’s Human Rights Commissions annual reports included community forums and educational sessions.

In Needham they have hosted in the past:

• Diversity Summit at Needham High School
  
• Outdoor concert
  
• Public Forum on human trafficking
  
• Forum on understanding ISIS
  
• Forum on Interfaith relations
  

Member Rob Blaney said that the DHS students were hosting a conference in the Spring called “Real Talk” to discuss racism and diversity.

Member Adams proposed holding a visioning event similar to ones recently held by both Women in Democracy-Dedham and Liveable Dedham.  She said that they were both different ways to engage the community.

Member Chris Kelly said that Dedham resident involved in the organization Seat at the Table that helps underrepresented groups get engaged in civic life.  

Member Blaney noted that there is a film series at Mother Brook every two months with speakers.  Member Lianna Manos said the Commission could host a Meet and Greet at Mother Brook as a way to reach out to the community.

Audience member Allison Staton mentioned that First Church and Parish hosts a film series in February.

Member Briggs recommended that the Commission have a float or contingent walking in the Flag Day parade.

Member Adams suggested the Facebook page be created but there was some question as to what logo to use.  Member Kelly will reach out to Town Clerk for permission to use Town seal until a logo is created.

Member Borsellino asked if the Commission would be willing to take a group photo and will ask a neighbor if she will donate her time to take a photo.

Meeting ended at 8:35pm.

Notes taken by  Allison Staton
Notes reviewed by Heather Springer


Keywords: Human Rights Commission, Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration,


Community Notes are not official minutes or transcriptions of a meeting. They are intended to provide summaries of discussion and actions taken at meetings. For official meeting minutes, visit the Town of Dedham’s website or contact the Town Clerk.