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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes -January 23, 2007 -HRC ,„ iir Clittroer AZUSA. Azusa Human Relations Commission Minutes from January 23, 2007 Meeting started at 7:40 p.m. I. Meeting called to order at 7:40 p.m. Meeting location moved to Azusa Police Department due to locked Azusa Light and Water building. Minutes taken by Diana Williams II. Commissioners in attendance: Diana Williams,Nancy Gibson, Ilean A, Ochoa, Logan H. Westbrooks. and Christina Valdez. Claudia Shields, Coorinator and HRC Interns Sandra and Jackie were in attendance III. Public Comment — Mayor Diane Chagnon thanked the commission, Claudia, Sandra and Jackie for all the hard work in making this year's Hands Across Azusa (HAAZ) a successful event. She commended everyone for putting together the event in spite of recent obstacles. She commented positively on Phil Wilson,the event's keynote speaker and how his speech was passionate and kept everyone captured. She also thanked everyone for making quorum and noted that this meeting has flexibility to change days and/or meeting times to accommodate the commission. She also discussed the Canyon city Foundation and said that the HRC/Rotary Club are one of the first organizations to receive a grant. She looks forward to HRC working with Rotary to address tolerance and mentoring with our schools. She discussed our current vacancies and said that one position is appointed by school district, another by the commissioner with council approval and two positions are via the application process and appointed by council. IV. Scheduled Item 1) Debrief from"HAAZ" and preliminary Discussion for Next Year's Event The commissioner jointly discussed the return of several of this year's performers such as the step performance by Umoja and BMF,the APU Gospel Choir, drumming by Village Mandala. Logan Westbrooks volunteered to do next year's invocation and Diana Williams volunteered to sing National Anthem. Also discussed was the possibility of getting both Azusa and Gladstone Choirs to perform together. Since this year Azusa's ROTC was present at this event Gladstone ROTC will be asked to attend. It was also suggested that AUSD Mariachi group be invited to perform next year. It was suggested that next year's event have interactive dancing as a pre-event and a drum circle for the closing with possible drum donations. Also discussed were ways to improve publicity. There was a general consensus that PR needed boosting. This year's press was done by Azusa through Azusa light and water bill inserts and In addition, it was expressed that the HRC should make it a practice to invite dignitaries such as Senator, Assemblymember, LA County Supervisor, Ronald Jones of NAACP, etc. Everyone expressed continued inclusion of Lydia Eastep as our AUSD contact and hope that AUSD will select her to sit on the commission. Jackie discussed the possibility of having LeVar Burton, Emcee the event and possibly read"I have a dream" speech of Martin Luther King. Logan suggested inviting Native American Indians next year and the commissioner discussed possible themes for next year's event and will continue discussion at next meeting. 2) Discussion of the HRC and school board appointed commissioner positions took place. Two positions are appointment by the council, one is an AUSD appointment and the commissioners will make an appointment. The commissioners jointly expressed hope that Lydia Eastep will be appointed by AUSD to the commission. Eileen will follow up with ASD about the appointment. Other names were suggested as possible commission appointees such as Matt Visser from APU and Logan mentioned that Terry Franson introduced an Azusa resident to him as a possible prospect.Nancy suggested we have someone from Citrus College and APU part of our commission. Sandra will work as our liaison with Citrus College. She has contacts there. 3) Discussion about selection of Chair and Secretary took place. Christina nominated Diana and was seconded by Logan. It was unanimous that Diana be our Chair. Diana nomindated nancy as our Vice chair and Logan seconded with a unanimous agreement. The discussion of secretary took place and possible rotation of duties. It was then suggested that Jackie and Sandra take turns taking minutes with support from Claudia. 4) Claudia reported that our three part application was submitted and Canyon City Foundation awarded a joint grant to Rotary and HRC to be administered by Harry Heflin, past president of Rotary. The youth conference will be a joint venture with Rotary and HRC and will be a two day event. A meeting took place which was more of a"getting to know you"meeting with Connie Lydia Eastep and YMCA staff _ Next meeting will take place on February 1st at 9:15 a.m. discussed will be the planning of actual program. Conference is expected to take place in the fall and will accommodate school district schedules. Grant is renewable, however there was some concern about the application date which is September 1, 2007 and concern that if conference takes place after application date we won't be able to justify a successful program. Ilean suggest a joint meeting with Rotary and HRC prior to the September 1 application date to reflect the planning and workings of putting fall event on. 5) Claudia reported on the success of"HAAZ" and was very satisfied with the event in spite of recent resignations and lack of information. We had 16 days' to pull together the program. A lot of information was obtained by commissioners, interns and calling those that may have committed to participate and contacts obtained in previous meetings. She was happy with the support she received from the remaining commissioners and is glad to move forward with the youth conference and next year's HAAZ event. She said that Jackie will research grant opportunities to help the commission meet future goals. Open Discussion:Nancy suggested Sandra and Jackie send the commissioners their e-mail addresses so we can communicate easily. Claudia will contact Azusa Light and Water to make sure building is open for next meeting. V. Adjournment — Meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Next meeting will take place on February 27, 2007 at the Azusa Light and Water building, 1st floor conference room.