HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet - February 12, 2014 vSlek
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TO: MEMBERS OF THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
FROM: YOLANDA R. PENA, HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION TREASURER
DATE: FEBRUARY 12, 2014
SUBJECT: DONATION OF FUNDS TO AZUSA CITY LIBRARY FOR THE PURCHASE
OF BOOKS FOR THE ONE BOOK ONE AZUSA PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATION
It is the City of Azusa Human Relations Treasurers recommendation that the Human Relations
Commission (HRC) discuss and vote on making a donation in the amount of$200 to the Azusa
City Library to purchase books ("Tattoos on the Heart,"by Father Gregory Boyle) which will be
used in the city-wide book lending and discussion program, "One Book One Azusa"throughout
the month of April 2014.
BACKGROUND
"Tattoos on the Heart," is the critically acclaimed book by the nationally renowned founder of
Homeboy Industries, Father Gregory Boyle. It is a powerful story about confronting the
challenges of urban violence with honesty and compassion. Father Boyle founded Homeboy
Industries to serves high-risk, formerly gang-involved men and women with a continuum of free
services and programs, and operates seven social enterprises that serve as job-training sites.
The donated books will be read through out the community and then the readers will comeback
to a site that they choose to share their thoughts about the book with other readers from the
community. Also included in this program will be a film screening of"G-Dog" (a documentary
film highlighting Father Boyles work and his powerful message of compassion); and a picnic
with Father Boyle on the front lawn of the Azusa City Hall.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None. This program will utilize the reserve funds that the HRC Ad Hoc Budget Group set aside
for just these purposes. Also, with"Café con Leche"now being fully sponsored by the Canyon
City Foundation, it is my fiscal opinion that we not only have the funds to afford this one-time
donation,but that we will in fact have a non carry-over surplus if we do not use these funds.
MEMORANDUM
To: Azusa Human Relations Commissioners
CC: City of Azusa Staff
From: Paulina Velasco
Date: February 27,2014
Subject: New Sister City:Building a Multicultural Bridges Preliminary Proposal
In adhering to the Commission's mission to develop a comprehensive plan to create and perpetuate inclusion,
diversity, and civic peace. I am respectfully proposing an initiative based on the work the Azusa Human Relations
Commission (AHRC) begun by creating culturally enriching programing that educates and promotes multicultural
understanding.
Carrying on with the AHRC mission and programing,I am proposing the creation of a sister city program partnership
with a city in the continent of Africa.
Why Africa?
In the spirit of creating a united sense of community by perpetuating inclusion,diversity and civic peace it is of value
to promote cultural understating of all of Azusa's residents. By forging a partnership with a city in the continent of
Africa, it would inform residents that even though we all come from different backgrounds we all share similar
human values.
What is a Sister City Program?
A sister city relationship is a long-term, cooperative relationship between the two cities in different countries
through which cultural,educational,business,and technical exchanges take place.It is formalized when two mayors
(or highest elected/appointed officials)sign a memorandum of understanding establishing a sister city relationship.
Activities are usually organized and implemented by volunteers, local institutions,and municipal employees.A city
may have any number of sister cities.
What do sister cities do?
Sister city organizations plan and implement cooperative activities and exchanges in cultural, educational,
municipal/technical,business,and humanitarian fields.
How do two cities become sister cities?
A relationship is formally created when the mayors or highest elected officials from two communities sign a
memorandum of understanding establishing the sister city partnership. However,this is usually the result of a long
process that involves the local sister city organization,along with the municipality and other local institutions.Sister
city relationships may develop from a number of sources, including but not limited to: preexisting mayoral
relationships, trade relationships, historical connections, ancestral/demographic connections, expatriate
communities, shared geographic/sector challenges, faith-based groups, and personal experiences ranging from
study/work abroad to marriages.
Proposed program development plan:
• Develop preliminary proposal
• Gain AHRC Support
• Reach out to Azusa's Sister City
• Develop an Adhoc Sister City committee
• Define what the partnership looks like
• Research cities and select a city
• Reach out to city
• Develop a MOU with sister city
• Sign MOU