Minutes 08-02-11
Richfield Human Rights Commission
nd
Meeting Minutes August 2, 2011
City Hall
6:30pm
1. Call to order & Attendance
a. Members Present:
Molly Darsow
Philip Lowe
Todd Chase
Julie Bagby
Lall Ram
Nancy Roberts
Elizabeth Morrissey
b. Guests:
i. Huda Ahmed
ii. Jodi Larson
Roll Call
COMMISSIONERS: LIAISONS:
CITY COUNCIL _____ELLIOTT, Pat
P DARSOW, Molly – Chair
_____GOETTEL, Debbie
___SHARKEY, Michael
P ROBERTS, Nancy
SCHOOL _____TOENSING, Peter
___NESSE, Kristina
CITY STAFF: _____SANDELL, Todd
P BAGBY, Julie
P LOWE, Phillip
OTHERS
P Ram, Lall
PRESENT: __________________________
P Chase, Todd
P Elizabeth Morrissey
2011 Attendance Roster
NAME FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN
Darsow, Molly
P P P P P
Roberts, Nancy
P P P P P
Sharkey, Michael
P P C C
Lowe, Phillip
P P P P P
Bagby, Julie
P C P P P
Ram, Lall
P P P P
Chase, Todd
P P P P
Elizabeth
P
Morrissey
Total # 0 4 4 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4
Quorum (Y/N) Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
City Council –
N/A AB AB P AB
Elliott
City Council -
N/A AB
Alt. - Goettel
School – Toensing
N/A AB AB AB AB AB AB AB AB P AB
City Staff – Sandell
P P C P AB
C represents an explanation to the Chair for the absence
th
2. Approval of minutes: Last meeting was June 7, 2011. No member
objected to the approval of the minutes.
3. Reports:
a. Treasurer report: $511.86
b. BYR Campaign: No Report
c. Liaison reports: Molly attended the Global Celebration in
Bloomington where she found a useful child activity book on
equality, respect, etc. HRC should consider using a similar activity
book in the future where appropriate at certain events.
d. Other: Discussion about American Legion being against Don't Ask
Don't Tell. Nancy and Philip will be in touch on this issue.
4. Guest Presentations:
a. Huda Ahmed, with New Americans Healthy Together Program,
was at the August meeting to discuss what her organization does
and to provide examples of how the Program mini-grants (recently
received by HRC) can be used:
▪ SHAPE sponsors cooking classes that encourage cultural diversity
by cooking a culturally diverse meal and eating it together. This
th
class will be offered on Friday August 5 5-6pm at Assumption and
th
Saturday August 6 at Veteran's Park. The goal is to increase
cultural diversity and acceptance, while increasing the use of the
Richfield farmer's market.
▪ Buena Vista's Apartment community held a workshop of tenant
rights and bed bugs, which was hosted by Maria Zavala and MIRA.
▪ Bloomington human services is holding a “get to know your...”
event.
HRC discussed creating a stronger connection with schools. The best way to do
this, suggested Molly, is to contact the School Liaisons and keep the
communication lines open.
Molly mentioned item 5: One idea for use of the MIRA grant money is to offer a
workshop on landlord tenant law and perhaps a legal advice clinic. Maria
Zavala's workshop was Buena Vista Properties specific and did not include
Richfield as a whole. It was also not “legal advice.” Therefore, HRC's offering of
such a clinic would not be repetitive.
b. Jodi Larson with Richfield Historical Society is about creating
connections in the community. Richfield Historical Society has a
small staff, museum and center. The organization is seeking
greater access for immigrant Americans to increase “welcome-
ness.” A “coming-soon” exhibit includes the history of Richfield
homes. Next year there may be an exhibit on what being a
teenager was (and is) like. There is a plan to change the hours of
the center to broaden access. Jody wants to start hosting events
that appeal to a broader range of people and increase awareness
about these events. In addition, she wants to create a forum for
feedback and participation.
HRC discussed creating a small committee to create connections between the
fine art's commission, Richfield's Historical Society, and New Americans. Molly
will begin an email chain to include Huda, Jodi, the Fine Art's Commission, Todd
and Molly. They MAY work on getting a Legacy Grant OR create a Richfield
Historical Society publication.
5. Legal Services Workshop/Clinic & Volunteer Lawyers Network
How should we use our New Americans Healthy Together grant dollars?
a. Translate the Richfield HRC brochure to other languages and make
them more colorful?
b. Co-host a legal advice clinic and landlord tenant workshop for
Richfield community members?
i. Who to target?
1. Grant program is focused on New Americans in the
Richfield community
VOTE:
Translate HRC Brochures: All in favor
Landlord-Tenant Workshop and Advice Clinic: We will shoot for a tentative date
in Late January
6. Adjourn
8pm