HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/02/2003 Maplewood Human Relation Committee
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 2, 2003
Members Present: Barbara Damchik-Dykes, Marilyn Gebauer, Elmo Mattox, Roberta
Hawkins, Gordy Heininger, Carol Watnemo
Members Absent: Annastacia Belladonna
Ex-officio: Kevin Rabbett
Visitor: Jeff Kringle
Called to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm.
II. Approval of the minutes. Marilyn Gebauer regarding the correct spelling of her
last name made a correction. Minutes corrected. Motion was made by Gordy
Heininger to approve the minutes as corrected. Seconded by Roberta Hawkins and
passed.
III. Approval of Agenda: Two items were added to New Business. The two items
were: 1.) a potential open position on the committee, and 2.) the need to write a
thank you note to the people responsible for the annual report of the committee.
Gordy Heininger made a motion to accept the agenda. Seconded by Barbara
Damchik-Dykes and passed.
V. Old Business:
A. Each member introduced themselves and gave a brief overview of themselves.
B. Elmo Mattox suggested that we prioritize the committee's goals and to decide
what steps we need to do to achieve these goals. Gordy Heininger stated that
annually the committee has 1.) sponsored the diversity contest with the
schools, 2.) held an information workshop which highlighted several
community organizations that work in our community, and 3.) sponsored a
disability awareness project to increase accommodation of disabilities in the
community. Roberta Hawkins suggested the committee could develop a
working relation and collaboration with the Department of Human Rights.
Other suggestions included: 1.) making a connection with the Hmong
Community, 2.) talking about another culture at every meeting, and 3.)
October is National Diversity Month.
C. Elections: Gordy Heininger nominated Elmo Mattox for the Chairman.
Seconded by Carol Watnemo and passed. Gordy Heininger was nominated
for the Vice chair, but declined. Roberta Hawkins nominated Barbara
Damchik-Dykes for the vice chair position. Seconded by Elmo Mattox and
passed. Gordy Heininger nominated Carol Watnemo for secretary. Seconded
by Barbara Damchik- Dykes and passed.
Maplewood Human Relations Commission
September 2,2003 Meeting Minutes
Page 2
D. Poster Contest: Last year the poster contest had competition with the school
district's Diversity Fair. Each school has a diversity coordinator. Gordy
Heininger will contact Joy Mueller, the school district's diversity coordinator
and inquire about the possibility of 622 working together with this committee.
Barbara Damchik-Dykes suggested that the contest should be better defined,
(i.e. determine a question or a theme), the possibility of expanding the contest
to the entire community.
VI. New Business:
A. There may be a potential opening for a committee member. Lt. Rabbett will
attempt to contact Annastacia Belladonna to determine if she a still interested
on serving on the Human Relations Committee. He will also look through the
files for previous applicants.
B. Barbara Damchik-Dykes will write a thank you letter to the staff who
prepared the Committee's Annual Report.
C. Gordy Heininger will write a thank you to Premier Bank regarding the
sponsoring of the Poster Contest.
IX. Adjournment: Gordy Heininger made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:30
pm. Seconded by Barbara Damchik-Dykes and passed.
Next Meeting: October 7