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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-10-20 Commission on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Minutes Commission on Inclusion, Equity and Diversity Minutes October 20, 2020 I. CALL TO ORDER: At 7:00 pm, the virtual meeting was called to order by Dee Casey, Deputy Town Manager and Interim Chair. Dee read the Governor’s Executive Order. ATTENDANCE: The following members were present: David VanArsdale (COA); Toni Wedge (Resident); Vijay (Jay) Vallala (Resident); Jennifer Bauer (Resident); Supraja Ganti (N.A. Race Amity Committee); Bria Gadsen (MV Black and Brown Voices); Lawrence Jay (Clergy); Vera Brockhuysen (Clergy); Ellen Peters (Building a Respectful Community); Lina Hunter (Minority Business Owner); Lt. E.J. Foulds (NAPD); Deanna Lima (Community Support Coordinator);Aisha Valdez (Youth & Recreational Services); Lorene Marx (Asst. Superintendent, NAPS); Cathy Darby (Town Human Resources Director) and Dee Casey (Deputy Town Manager and Interim Chair). Absent were: Lawrence (Larry) Allen (Youth and Recreation Council) and Stacey Leibowitz (Ability Assistance Commission) Members made personal introductions. II. REVIEW OF MISSION STATEMENT: Dee read the Mission Statement. She suggested that given the size of the group and the scope of the Mission Statement, the group create Subcommittees to address the various aspects in the Mission Statement. Deanna asked to change the word “tolerance” to “acceptance”. She stated that acceptance has a very different meaning than tolerance. Motion: Cathy moved to change the word “tolerance” to “acceptance” on the Mission Statement and anywhere it is listed. Dave seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Dee started discussion of the name of the Commission. She stated that the current name, Inclusion, Equity and Diversity, would have an acronym of IED. One member raised concern with the name. Dave stated that an IED is a roadside bomb used in war. Motion: Dave moved that the Commission request the Selectboard change the Commission’s name to the Commission on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Deanna seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. EJ asked to clarify that the name would be Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. III. PERMANENT OFFICER POSITIONS Dee discussed that the Selectboard wanted permanent positions in place before 90 days following the creation of the Commission. Dee recommended that the positions by Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary. She asked that members consider volunteering for one of the positions. IV. SUBCOMMITTEES Dee asked the group for input on possible Subcommittees to work on the Mission Statement. 1 Bria recommended an Economic Development Subcommittee to include looking at housing issues. Cathy suggested that some type of Business Training for local establishments. Dee suggested possibly also thinking of how the group could consider employee training that could be for both municipal employees and private sector employees. Deanna suggested a Community Education Subcommittee that could examine where there are groups in the community who may need educating. Jay added the idea of a Data Collection Subcommittee that could gather data and use it to address the problems. He stated that after gathering the data, the group could pick the top three and address them. Dee stated that Dave shared some demographic data that she will share with the Commission. Supraja asked about the Conversation Series. Dee responded that she would research and report to the group. She stated the idea would be to pick a topic, bring in an expert speaker and offer the meeting for free. Supraja responded that the Race Amity Club has done something similar. Rev. Jay stated that at Rolling Ridge he has found good results hosting virtual events. Lina suggested a Support Group for Minority Small Businesses Owners Subcommittee to make it easier for them to connect to other businesses in Town. Dave added that there should also be a Welcoming New Residents Subcommittee. EJ added that it would be helpful to do a survey. He stated a Survey Subcommittee could get data by sending a survey with the tax bills or some other delivery method. Deanna added that there is a lot of economic diversity and there is a segment may not get tax bills and English is a second language. The group needs to be mindful of how the survey is distributed. Jennifer stated that there is a distinction between community education and education in the school systems around Anti-Bias and Anti-Racism. She recommended a NAPS Education Subcommittee. Bria suggested a Public Health Subcommittee. She stated transportation could be a barrier for people. Bria stated there are mental health issues, food insecurities, and people need support to obtain health services. Toni suggested that there are also resources for substance abuse especially during this time. V. SPEAKER SERIES IDEAS Lorene stated that it is important to know what topic we want to start with before scheduling meetings. Cathy asked if there is a budget. Dee was not sure and will report to the group. EJ stated that he knows of a State Police Officer who trains on Fair and Impartial Policing that explains bias (explicit and implicit). Jenn stated that it would not be a good idea to start the series with a speaker representing law enforcement. Jay offered to present the list of trainings that his company conducted. Supraja suggested that she would like to see a session on socio-economic class impacts the level of health care a person receives. 2 Rev. Jay suggested putting together a holistic series of three (3) to five (5) publicized events to show we have a vision for the community. Cantor Brockhuysen commented it would be help to start a series with the basics and provide a definition and history of biases such as racism, gender, sexual orientation, Anti-Semitism. Bria discussed the Andover Memorial Library event with Debbie Irving. She stated clarity of definitions and a history lesson are also important pieces. Jay added that a history lesson was very impactful for him. Cathy stated that she believes that there needs to be an understanding among the group as to the language that we are all using. Dave added that the group needs unity because the community is likely not where we are at and there will be push back. Jenn recommended that the group do some work together before going out into the community. She suggested that the group create their own community bond first. Rev. Jay added that we need to know where the community is before we start our work. The group needs unity. Ellen stated that we need to come together first and then share through open dialogue with the community. Dee recommended a retreat for the group. Rev. Jay recommended that there be a sharing of stories, journeys and struggles among the group. VI. DISCUSSION OF EXISTING ISSUES/CONCERNS Supraja discussed creating safer spaces and more opportunities to learn in the High School. Lorene stated that there were some Google Meets over the summer addressing what would have helped younger people with their experience in the Town and the schools. Lina commented that we should have translators, so that people can understand the speakers. Cathy commented that there are resources out there that the Commission could share. Aisha described the Youth & Recreation podcast. Jenn suggested a space on the Town’s website where we can create a resource page to direct the public to events and further reading. Rev. Jay commented that the youth voice would be very powerful and a good idea for the series. Cantor Brockhuysen suggested a story-sharing session to build cohesion as a committee. VII. INCLUSION, EQUITY AND DIVERSITY DATA Dee will share some resources with the Commission. The Data Subcommittee will dig deeper and get to the heart of what the issues are in the community. Deanna recommended ongoing data collection to access how well the Commission is doing. Pre-event and post-event information. Bria asked the group to be mindful of providing alarming data with no clear solutions. 3 Dee stated this group will make recommendation to the Board and the Board will set the policy. The Commission will bring ideas to the Selectboard who will get their buy-in and implement the policy/plan. VIII. NEW BUSINESS None IX. SCHEDULE NEXT MEETING DATE Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at 7:00 pm. X. ADJOURNMENT Motion: At 8:21 pm, Toni moved to adjourn the meeting and Cathy seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned by a unanimous vote. Respectfully submitted, Denise Y. Casey Deputy Town Manager Interim Chair Documents used at meeting: Agenda 4