HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/02/1996Maplewood Human Rdations Commission
l�nutes from Apr. 2,1996
Presen�: �iarie Koehler, Gordy Heininger, Regina Laroche�Theune, Lynne Croes,
Carol Cude, Maria Cantu-Cost�lla, Linda Wainio. Ex-officio: M�ce McCnrire, Sherrie Le.
Gnests: Mort Ryweck - League of I�nnesota Human Rights Commissions; Representatives
from the �toseville, White Bear Lake and S�7lwater (high schoo� HRCs.
The meeting was called to order ai 7:10 pm by Chair Gordy Heininger.lVfil:e McCnure introduced
hi.m.self and welcomed everyone to the joiart meeting. I�Ice stated that human ri�hts is a high
priority in Maplewood. 7�e then turned tbe meeting back to the chair, Crordy �3eininger.
AIl in attenda.nce uttroduced themselves_
The agenda included short pr�eutations by members of the Maplewood and Rosev�le
commissions_ The Maplewood commisssion shared information on the following:
Diversity Awareness Award Coatest - Carol Cude
Diversity Awareness Poster Cocrtest - Lynne Croes
Open Hause - Marie Roehler
Response to Bias and Prejudice plan - Gordy Heininger
C,om�nity evetxt - Regi.na Laroche-Theune
Members from the Rosev�le comrnit�ion shared how they are using the community cable access
cbannel to reach out to the commnnity. They have plans to produce a regular progr'am and to
offer public service spots using the L11�C posters. They sponsor an essay contest for the
middle school st�uudenu_ The theme vf the Roseville $RC is to create parmerships with other
HRC's, the police depar�ent and other �oups. They have given out an Award ofExcellence to
businesses for human relations_ The businesses are reco�nized for how they make a difference or
did something unique conceming tnunan relations. The winners for the essay contest and the
business awards are recoguzed at a city counct� meeting_ They have a budget to use for the
award plaques.
Mr. Ryweck iIIterjected that the HRC's could work together to develop a video series and each
individual HRC be respons�ble for one progratn that would be s}�own on the cable access
channels_
St�lwater ]'3igh School sponsored a Iogo corrtest for their commission. Entries came from the
comm�mity and the elemeutaiy schools. In response to aa incideut �volving some elemerrtary
studen�ts, some high school students �ave presentations to the yo�mger studeuts on harassment.
White Bear Labe also has an award progran� for a group and an individual. They seek
nominations tha-ough the local pa�er. Any in.dividual or �roup who bas worked to improve human
reIations can be nominaiecL They also present a plaque to the wianers at a city counci7 mee�ig.
(OVER�)
Susan Fotsyth from the Rosevi7le commission talked about their efforts to acquire grant money
from a group seLving people with disab�ities to develop a video on disab�7ity and gender equity
issues. They did not receive the g�ant. They a�proached the LM��C and the City of Rosev�le
and were �iven some money but they need more_ They are tall�ng with other cities to r�et
£undiag, but nothing bas been confirmed ye�
We t�en discu.�seci the possbility of sponsorin� a joint community event. T�e topic could be
domestic violence, sexual harassme�rt or another pertinevt issue. At this pourt, Reg'�ne Laroch�
Theune, explained our community event from I995. A brochure from a local theattical group,
"Tl�eater at Work" was handed out. They provide a variery of performances as a reasonable cost_
Other theater �oups, such as Mxed Blood or Tltusion, are much more costly. There was no
decision as to the topic of a community eveat or o#'offering it jointly with area HRCs.
Mort suggested using programs that Channel 2 has ava�able and havin� a foilow-up discussion.
This could be broadcast over the cable access channels_ He suggested we develop a proposal for
a joint community event, send it to the area HRCs and ask if they want to co-sponsor it.
Sheme Le explained the current plans for a Maplewood Open FIouse. The pla�a �s to do it jointly
with the Commumty Ce�ter and have it on 'National Nght Out" (Aug. 6). T�e local re.staurants
would be it�rited as part of a"Taste ofMa�lewood" activity. A.11 the crty commissions would also
participate_
The joint meeting was adjourned at ihis poim. The Maplewaod connniecion members briefly
discussed the awards programs for the diveristy poster contest. Presentation School has scheduled
their program for A}�r� 12. Marie ag�ee� to attend an� Lynne w�l be the bacl�p. Maria has the
cert�cate design ready and will fax it to Sherrie for approval. When the certificates are ready,
Sherrie w�l get the signahues.
The next meeting is May 7. Agenda items include: open house, interview guidelines and
discus.�ion on the April meeting_
Respectfully submitceci,
)
e mes
Recording Secretary