HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-12-08 Commission on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Minutes
Commission on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Minutes December 8, 2020
CALL TO ORDER: At 7:01 pm, the virtual meeting was called to order by Dee Casey, Deputy
Town Manager and Interim Chair.
Ms. Casey read the Governor’s Executive Order.
ATTENDANCE: The following members were present: David VanArsdale (COA); Toni Wedge
(Resident); Jennifer Bauer (Resident); Vijay Vallala (Resident); Lina Hunter (Minority Business
Owner); 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); Larry Anderson (Youth & Rec. Council); Stacey Leibowitz (Ability Assistance
Commission); 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).
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER 17, 2020:
MOTION: Mr. VanArsdale motioned to approve the Open Session minutes of November 17,
2020. Mr. Anderson seconded. Roll call vote: VanArsdale-yes, Wedge-yes; Bauer-yes; Ganti-
yes; Gadsen-yes, Jay-yes, Vallala-yes; Brockhuysen-yes; Peters-yes; Anderson-yes;
Leibowitz-yes, Foulds-yes; Lima-yes; Valdez-yes; Marx-yes, Darby-yes, Casey-yes. Motion
approved 18-0.
STORY TELLING
Members shared their stories reflecting personal life experiences. Ms. Gadsden stated she felt
uncomfortable with an offensive word used several times in one member’s story. Ms. Gadsden
left the meeting at 7:34PM. Ms. Bauer asked the Commission to address what happened with
Ms. Gadsden. Canter Vera suggested after the meeting is over to proceed to talk about what
happened and address the concern. Canter Vera suggested to set ground rules for the group
going forward. Reverend Jay agreed as well and stated he would contact Ms. Gadsden after
the meeting. Reverend Jay stated he would like to work with a group on guidelines for story
telling going forward. Ms. Bauer, Ms. Lima and Canter Vera agreed to be a part of the group.
Elizabeth, in place of Ms. Gadsden, joined the meeting at 7:59PM.
PERMANENT OFFICER POSITIONS
Ms. Casey asked the Commission for volunteers for Officer Positions for the Commission. Ms.
Lima volunteered to be the Chairperson, Ms. Valdez volunteered to be Vice-Chair. Ms. Casey
asked for a volunteer to be Secretary. No one volunteered. Ms. Casey stated she would come
back to the open position next meeting.
DISCUSSION OF PRIORITIZING SUBCOMMITTEES
Ms. Casey spoke about prioritizing subcommittees and obtaining volunteers. Mr. Vallala
suggested looking at data, getting small groups together and then bringing it to the large group.
Ms. Casey stated Mr. Vallala will head the Data Subcommittee. Ms. Darby stated that food
group may already being address through the Town. Ms. Marx stated the school is looking into
getting the children who do not have computers or internet service options to get them support.
1
VOCUBULARY/ DEFINITION OF TERMS
Ms. Casey asked the Commission what some terms mean and how these terms can be defined.
Ms. Bauer stated to first define diversity, equity and inclusion. Ms. Bauer added the following
terms:
- Dominant culture
- Race/ racism
- Prejudice
- Privilege
- Someone is minoritzed/ minority
- Ethnicity
- Intersectionality
Ms. Bauer suggested the book So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo as a common
read as well as This Book Is Anti-Racist by Tiffany Jewel for Middle School and High School
levels. Ms. Casey stated she would reach out to Kathleen Keenan at the Library to get the
books.
FUTURE BUSINESS / AGENDA ITEMS
Ms. Casey stated the following future agenda items:
1) Discussion about terms
2) Ground rules
3) Story telling
4) Discussion of Subcommittees
Mr. Vallala stated the Town of North Andover should be setting the tone on sensitive topics.
Elizabeth stated Ms. Gadsden does not want to come back to the meeting and also requested
that there is no contact from the Commission at this time.
SCHEDULE NEXT MEETING DATES
th
Ms. Casey stated Tuesday January 12 will be the next meeting date.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Mr. Foulds motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:30PM. Ms. Darby seconded. Roll
call vote: VanArsdale-yes, Wedge-yes; Bauer-yes; Ganti-yes; Hunter- yes; Jay-yes, Vallala-
yes; Brockhuysen-yes; Peters-yes; Anderson-yes; Leibowitz-yes, Foulds-yes; Lima-yes;
Valdez-yes; Marx-yes, Darby-yes, Casey-yes. Motion approved 17-0.
2