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06/12/08GOLDEN VALLEY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING Minutes from the Meeting of June 12, 2008 Members Present: Marion Helland, Anne Dykstra and Jay Sandvik. Members Absent: Ron Brandon. Staff Present: Chief Stacy Altonen and Council Member DeDe Scanlon. The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Dykstra at 7:04 pm. OPEN FORUM There was no one present requesting to address the Commission. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Helland moved to approve the minutes of the April 10, 2008 meeting; Seconded by Commissioner Sandvik. The minutes were unanimously approved. BREMER GRANT/CAPACITY BUILDING Hilary Hauser from the Crystal Human Rights Commission discussed their application in 2007 for the Bremer Grant to build a library of reference/training materials. Approximately $1400 was approved for books, DVDs and other materials, which are available for checkout to members of neighboring Human Rights Commissions. For 2008 the Crystal Human Rights Commission is considering a one or two-day strategic planning/capacity building session through Neighborhood House in St. Paul. Crystal would like to partner with New Hope and Golden Valley to apply for grant money for this training. Julie Ralston Aoki from the Robbinsdale Human Rights Commission was present and also expressed interest in partnering with surrounding cities for training/planning sessions. Commissioner Helland moved to approve partnering with New Hope, Crystal and Robbinsdale to apply for Bremer Grant funds for capacity building/planning. Motion carried unanimously. COMMITTEE REPORTS SCHOOL EDUCATION The Quotable Quotes booklet was distributed to commissioners, highlighting quotes from the top 25 essays received for the essay contest. The Desegregation/Integration Plan and 2007-2008 free/reduced meal counts for Robbinsdale Schools were distributed and discussed. Commissioner Dykstra will be giving a presentation on genocide at the Guthrie Theater for a teachers' workshop on June 21St. Commissioner Dykstra spoke about the Cambodian genocide to the junior and senior classes at Eagan High School last week and was impressed at how prepared the students were and how thoughtful their questions were. HOUSING There was nothing to report. LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONS Commissioner Helland distributed the agenda and registration forms for the annual conference, which will be held October 4th in Rochester. Commissioner Dysktra reported Ellen Kennedy from the Genocide Intervention Network gave a presentation to the League regarding genocide and she would be willing to present to the mayor and council members to discuss divesture in Darfur. SHARE THE DREAM There was nothing to report. DISCRIMINATION Chief Altonen advised there was graffiti displayed on a garage door for unknown reasons. The case is still active, but there are no suspects. PROCLAMATIONS The proclamation for Juneteenth will be forwarded to the City Council for approval. OLD BUSINESS RECRUITMENT STRATEGIES Commissioner Dykstra advised she conducted a survey of minority businesses in Golden Valley and surrounding cities and devised a short list of businesses where members could be recruited from. Commissioner Jorgenson was intending to work on recruitment strategies with churches, but resigned before work was completed. Commissioner Helland offered to create a brochure to outline what the Golden Valley HRC does for human rights. Commissioner Helland stated it may be beneficial to send an invitation to churches and schools in Golden Valley to solicit membership from staff members. DIVERSITY TRAINING This item can be removed from the agenda. NEW BUSINESS STATE REHABILITATION COUNCIL PUBLIC FORUM FOR EMPLOYMENT SERVICE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES The hearing will be hosted in the Golden Valley City Council Chambers on Wednesday, June 25th, from 0900-1800 hours. An outline for the day was distributed to commissioners. ELECTION OF OFFICERS This item will be postponed until the July meeting due to all members not being present. NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be on Thursday, July 10, 2008 beginning at 7 pm. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Commissioner Sandvik, seconded by Commissioner Helland to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 pm.