Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012 09-11 HRC Meeting Packet AGENDA CITY OF MAPLEWOOD Human Rights Commission September 11, 2012 7:00 P.M. Council Chambers - Maplewood City Hall 1830 County Road B East 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Approval of Minutes 1. Approval of Minutes – August 16, 2012 5. New Business 1. HRC Position Statement for the Constitutional Amendment Forums 2. Discussion on School Essay Contest 3. Feminism and Gay Rights 4. Review/Update on Upcoming Forums/Report on Forums or Meetings Attended or Other Related HR Issues (This item is on the agenda to give the Commissioners an opportunity to announce upcoming meetings or give a report on meetings or forums that they have attended.) 6. Old Business 1. Planning Discussion on Voter ID Forum – October 9th 2. Planning Discussion on Marriage Forum – October 23rd 7. Staff Presentations 8. Visitor Presentations 9. Adjournment – 8:00 p.m. MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION 7:00 p.m., Thursday, August 16, 2012 Council Chambers, Maplewood City Hall 1830 County Road B East 1. CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the Commission was held in the City Hall Council Chambers and was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Chairperson Brandt. 2. ROLL CALL Jon Brandt, Chairperson Present Nathan Danielson, Commissioner Absent Maurice Fortin , Commissioner Present Jeffrey Kringle, Commissioner Present Teresa Manzella, Commissioner Absent Arianne Maxwell, Commissioner Absent Julie Xiong, Commissioner Present Human Resource Attorney Bethel was also present. Chairperson Brandt announced that Commissioner Maxwell has resigned from the Commission. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Fortin moved to approve the agenda as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Kringle Ayes – All The motion passed. 4. Approval of Minutes. Commissioner Kringle moved to approve the minutes of July 10, 2012 as submitted. Seconded by Commission Fortin Ayes – All The motion passed. 5. NEW BUSINESS 1. The History of Gay Rights – Presentation by Commissioners Commissioner Fortin gave a presentation on information that he gathered on the history of gay rights. Commissioner Xiong presented historical information on same sex marriage in Minnesota. Commissioner Brandt gave a presentation on sexual orientation. “Is it a choice?” 2. Video Presentation A video documentary was shown entitled, “It Could Happen To You.” The YouTube video was made by a California-based gay man that marked the one-year anniversary of his boyfriend's untimely death with a video that's both a poignant memorial and a testimony to the lack of rights provided to same-sex couples barred from getting married under current laws. The YouTube video went viral in the spring of 2012. 3. Commission Discussion on Student Essay Event A brief discussion was held regarding sponsoring an essay contest for the Maplewood, North St. Paul and Oakdale schools regarding Human Rights. An ad hoc committee will be established to set processes and procedures to organize the student essay event. Commissioner Xiong indicated that she would like to be on the committee. 4. Review/Update on Upcoming Forums/Report on Forums or Meetings Attended or Other Related HR Issues (This item is on the agenda to give the Commissioners an opportunity to announce upcoming meetings or give a report on meetings or forums that they have attended.) Chairperson Brandt announced that the first marriage amendment forum to be held on September 11, 2012 has been cancelled. The forum scheduled for October 23rd to be held at the Maplewood Community Center is still on. Commissioner Fortin indicated that he would like to be on the ad hoc committee to assist in getting the event organized. Chairperson Brandt indicated that Commissioners Danielson and Manzella will be on the ad hoc committee for the marriage amendment forum. Commissioner Xiong indicated that she would be pleased to assist with the Voter ID forum along with Commissioner Fortin. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None 7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None 8. STAFF PRESENTATIONS None 9. ADJOURNMENT Fortin motioned to adjourn and it was seconded by Commissioner Kringle at 8:00 p.m. To: City of Maplewood Human Rights Commission From: Julie Xiong, Nate Danielson, Maurice Fortin Date: September 11, 2012 Re: Voter ID Forum Proposed Panel of Speakers/Presenters: 1. Historical Perspectives – University Political Science or Law Professor 2. Legal Perspectives – Constitutional Law Attorney 3. Election Process – Ramsey County Election Official 4. Voter Rights/Education & Impacts to Election System -- Claire Wilson, Voter Outreach Director, Office of Minnesota Secretary of State Date & Location Maplewood City Hall, Council Chambers Room October 9 at 7pm Agenda: 7:00 – 8:00: 15 minute educational presentations from the panel 8:00 – 8:30: Q&A session Marketing: Maplewood monthly, local newspaper, city website, Community Center e-billboard, advertise Marriage Amendment Forum Roles/responsibilities for day of event:  Moderator from HRC  Audience control (2 or more Commissioners) SCHOOL ESSAY CONTEST CITY OF MAPLEWOOD HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION CLIENT September 2012 September 2012 Human Rights Essay Contest Proposed Timeline (Rough) 9/11: HRC discussion and approval 9/12 – 9/14: Official flyers and contest rules sent to teachers 9/17 – 10/19: School presentations by Commissioners 10/30: Deadline reminder to schools/teachers 11/6: Deadline to submit essays 11/7 – 11/13: Independent review and scoring by the HRC 11/13: HRC judging and announcements 11/14: Invitations to winners with request for reading at ceremony, invitations out to other participants such as teachers, staff, school board members, city council members 11/15: Prepare awards, certificates, and handouts for event; notify media 12/11: HRC Awards Presentation & Ceremony *1st place essay to move on to a state-wide competition through the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commission Official Flyer Nate will create an official flyer announcing the contest. Flyer will notate essay topic question, basic rules, contact information and other pertinent information. Contest Rules Julie will create a document outlining contest rules and other pertinent information.  Essay Criteria: 500 words or less, 1 student per submission, late submissions will not be accepted  References for Students: Universal Declaration of Hum an Rights, US Bill of Rights, MN Human Rights Act  Due Date: Nov 6  Where to submit essays: Chuck Bethel (email or drop off at City Hall)  Entry Form: Required for submission; name, school, grade, waiver/hold harmless agreement I acknowledge that submitted art and/or written work is the property of the Maplewood Human Rights Commission and will be on display to the public in a variety of ways. The use of my work for display or printing will be at the discretion of the Maplewood Human Rights Commission. School Contact: Bee Kong Office of Educational Equity ISD 622 - North St Paul, Maplewood, Oakdale 2520 E. 12th Avenue North St. Paul, MN 55109 Desk: 651.748.7649 Cell: 651.263.6622 bkong@isd622.org *Bee’s office works with students across ISD 622 to navigate human rights topics. He can distribute contest information to teachers in the district. PLACE PHOTO HERE, OTHERWISE DELETE BOX Human Rights Essay Topic All middle and high schools students in the ISD 622 – Maplewood/Oakdale/North St. Paul district are invited to participate. Different topics will be presented to two different grade groups*: Grades 6-8: Describe why human rights is important to you.** Grades 9-12: Describe a current human rights issue affecting you and/or your school.*** *Judging for the two grade groups will be made separately. **If move forward with participation in the statewide competition, may have to utilize the topic provided by the League of MN HRC. ***The statewide League of Minnesota HRC competition does not include grades 9-12. September 2012 September 2012 Additional Details School Presentations Commissioners will attend classrooms to discuss human rights and promote the school essay contest. Some presentation ideas are: Human Rights v. Civil Rights video & PowerPoint Classroom Discussion Activity Interactions/Role Play (Zoom Resume) Judging Criteria The suggestion for judging is a point system: Originality of Perspective/Idea (1 through 20) Creativity of Expression (1 through 20) Presentation/Grammar (1 through 10) *90% focused on originality and creativity of content and ideas. 1 being weak and 10/20 being strong. Minimum total points is 1. Maximum total points is 50. Each Commissioner will judge each essay independently and award points. Winners will be chosen based upon the highest average of points. If a large number of essays are submitted, judging will take place outside HRC meetings due to essence of time. Top essays will be discussed and winners announced at the November HRC meeting. Awards Ceremony The awards ceremony will be held during the December HRC meeting at City Hall. Student winners, their parents, teachers, principals, staff, and other participants will be invited to attend. Program, light snacks, and refreshments to be provided. Students will read winning essays and be presented with a certificate and prize. City of Maplewood Human Rights Commission Julie Xiong Nate Danielson Teresa Manzella Commissioners 1830 County Road B East Maplewood, MN 55109 www.ci.maplewood.mn.us E: xiong.hrc@gmail.com nate.danielson.hrc@gmail.com manzellahrc@gmail.com Prize Suggestions 1st place: $75 2nd place: $50 3rd place: $25 *Nate will check around for donations from local businesses and organizations League of Minnesota Human Rights Commission The League Minnesota Human Rights Commissions, founded in 1972 and reorganized in 1987, is a coalition of local human-rights commissions that have been established by charter or ordinance in communities throughout Minnesota. While its member commissions are public organizations, the league is a private, nongovernmental organization with 501(c)(3) classification under the IRS code. The league shall assist county and municipal human rights/relations commissions in Minnesota to carry out the purposes of the ordinances or resolution pursuant to which they were established, and interact with all divisions of the state and other agencies involved in the area of human rights and relations. The League holds an annual essay contest for sixth through eighth grade students in which students address an essay topic question in one to three pages in length. All first place essays from commissions around the state are sent to the League. The first place prize is $500, second is $350, and t hird is $200. Entry deadline is typically March 31st. By partnering with the League, the HRC Commission may be able to draw greater interest from students if there was greater competition and prize involved. Reference: http://www.hrusa.org/league/default.shtm Human Rights Commission  September 11, 2012 Meeting   Agenda Item – New Business   The following is currently a billboard campaign that is creating controversy in Duluth – On the agenda for discussion.