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03/11/10AGENDA GOLDEN VALLEY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Golden Valley City Hall Council Conference Room March 11, 2010 — 7 pm A = Action D = Discussion Call to Order Open Forum Chair's Report A - Approval of the minutes for the August 19, 2009 and November 12, 2009 regular meetings Old Business: D — iNeighbor Setup and Calendaring option for GVHRC Committee Reports: I. Executive Committee Report II. Nomination and Governance Committee Report III. League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions IV. Minnesota Department of Human Rights December 4 Conference V. Program Committee D - Human Rights Community Issues Report from GV Police Dept. D - Census Project Report D/A - Share the Dream Report D/A - 45th Anniversary of GVHRC — Report D/A — 2010 Bill Hobbs Human Rights Award New Business Propose scheduling of Commission Brainstorming Session Adjournment Nair r 2009 Golden Valley Human Rights Commission Nomination Form Submit to: Golden Valley Human Rights Commission Golden Valley City Hall 7800 Golden Valley Road Golden Valley, MN 55427-4588 Person Nominated Name: Aljuan Hixon Address: 2225 Xerxes Avenue North City/State/Zip: Golden Valley, MN 55422 Organization Affiliation Day Phone: Evening Phone: Nominated By: Name: Christopher Jordan Address: 3800 Bassett Creek Drive City/State/Zip: Golden Valley, MN 55422 Organization: Golden Valley Human Rights Commission Affiliation: Chair Day Phone: 702 528-8875 Phone: 702-528-8875 Please answer the following questions about the nominee. If additional space is needed, attach a separate page. Introduction: Mr. Hixon's steadfast commitment to civil and charitable activities within the city is admirable and should not go unrecognized. Without fanfare, he has continuously demonstrated his dedication to improving our community and the neighboring areas. In 2009, Mr. Hixon organized and co-founded Time to Give Now, a non-profit agency dedicated to collecting and distributing non-perishable food items to food shelves that service Golden Valley and the neighboring cities of Crystal, Robbinsdale, and Minneapolis. Considering our current economic environment, which have left many individuals and families relying more on such services, Mr. Hixon has thought outside of the box by establishing various drop off locations and collections sites who in turn, deliver collected the items to the Near Food Shelf; located in Crystal and servicing the Crystal, New Hope and Robbinsdale, Prism; a social service agency located in Golden Valley who offers food, financial and transportation services to families experiencing financial hardship, and Sabathani Community Center, an organization dedicated to addressing unemployment, hunger, homelessness and education barriers that impacts residents in Minneapolis area It is because of his unwavering spirit and desire that I emphatically nominate Mr. Hixon to be the recipient of GVHRC's 2010 Bill Hobbs Human Rights Award. 1) How did the nominee further human rights in Golden Valley? Please list specific actions or activities. Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes that everyone has a right to a standard of living, which includes the universal basic need for nourishment. Mr. Hixon co-founded an organization whose primary goal and focus is to meet the basic need of providing food to members of our community. Not only do Golden Valley residents benefit from this program, Mr. Hixon's organization has collaborated with food shelves in Golden Valley and the neighboring communities. 2) How did the nominee's actions/activities benefit the Golden Valley community? Prism is a social service organization that services the Golden Valley area. Mr. Hixon has established collection sites in Golden Valley. His agency collects and delivers donated items to Prism. 3) When and where did these actions/activities take place? Is it/are they ongoing? Please describe? Mr. Hixon's activities are ongoing in Golden Valley. Nominee's organization has designated two (2) drop locations as collection sites for non-perishable goods. On October 30, 2009, I confirmed that Golden Valley Liquor and the Park at City West Apartments are drop off locations that continue to collection non-perishable goods on behalf of Time to Give Now. 4) Who was the principal beneficiary of the nominee's activities/actions? Residents and citizens that utilize the food shelf programs offered by Prism, NEAR and Sabathani Community Center are the beneficiary of Mr. Hixon's activities. Remarkable this agency has thought outside of the box and expanded their focus to assist neighboring communities in need. 5) Is there any other information about the nominee which might facilitate the Commission's decision? For well over a decade, Mr. Hixon has continuously participated in activities and voluntary efforts to benefit his community. Mr. Hixon has participated in a number of speaking engagements, addressing Breck High School Students and Meadow Brook Elementary students, focusing primarily on racial injustices and the importance of education. Mr. Hixon served as a Junior Achievement volunteer for several years (approximately 1989-1991). This program focused on mentoring junior and high school age youth in understanding and developing skills pertinent for business and corporate atmosphere. The program was designed to encourage and empower students to think about their futures and how they may take steps to become future business leaders. In 1997, Mr. Hixon recognized by the City Business News Paper, now the Minneapolis and St. Paul Business Journal, in its Forty Under Forty article for his continual commitment and work with youth in the community. 1995 Recipient of Virginia McKnight Binger Award in Human Services, which recognizes Minnesotans who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to helping other in their community. I confirmed with Tim Hanrahan; McKnight Foundation Communications Director, that Mr. Hixon was recognized for mentoring and tutoring at - risk high school youth and helping them turn their lives around. 6) Please list any other people who would support this nomination. Include their phone number. Mr. Clark White, Golden Valley Resident and Business Owner, (763) 208-5752 Mr. Duane Weineke, Golden Valley Business Owner, (763) 544-4441 Mr. Mark F. Anthony, Golden Valley Resident and Business Owner, (612) 325-4954 Ms. Elaine Wynne, Golden Valley Resident, (763)546-1662 Ms. Lisa Harrod, Golden Valley Resident, (763) 582-9601 Dr. Connie Delaney, Golden Valley Resident, (612) 269-3890 Dr. Patricia Donahue, Golden Valley Resident, (763) 568-0215 Dr. Verna Cornelia Price, Golden Valley Resident and Business Owner (763) 535-5711 Rotary Club of Golden Valley 7001 Golden Valley Road - Minneapolis, Minnesota 55427 October 28, 2009 Golden Valley Human Rights Commission Golden Valley City Hall 7800 Golden Valley Road Golden Valley, Mn 55427 Dear Members of the Golden Valley Human Rights Commission, I am submitting the name of John Nathaniel Mitchell, Sr. as a nominee for the 2010 Hobbs Human Rights Award. I respectfully request that the Commission Eligibility rule that the nominee must live, work, or conduct business in the City of Golden Valley during the nomination year, be waived in the case of John N. Mitchell, Sr. John N. Mitchell, Sr. died on July 24, 2009, at the age of 91. He began his career at Honeywell in 1953 and resided in the City of Golden Valley for many years. The nomination details for the Hobbs Human Rights Award are attached to this letter. It is my opinion that the HRC should give serious consideration to awarding the Hobbs Human Rights Award posthumously to John N. Mitchell, Sr. in recognition of his vast contributions to the community in the area of human rights. Sincerely, " ([�' a "--, DONALD B. ANDERSON Past President Rotary Club of Golden Valley Director of Club Services phone: 763-588-8578; email: maryanddon3030@,aol.com Service Above Self 2010 GOLDEN VALLEY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION NOMINATION FORM PERSON/ORGANIZATION NOMINATED: NOMINATED BY: Name: John Nathaniel Mitchell, Sr. Name: Donald B. Anderson Address: Mr. Mitchell died July 24, 2009 at age 91 Address: 7001 Golden Valley Road City/State/Zip: Golden Valley, Mn 55427 Organization: Golden Valley Human Rights Commission Organization: Rotary Club of Golden Valley Affiliation: Past Chairman Affiliation: Past President/currently Director Day Phone: Day Phone: 763-588-8578 Evening Phone: Evening Phone: same as above 1. How did the nominee further human rights in Golden Valley? John N. Mitchell, Sr. was the first black member of the Golden Valley City Council (1980-1983). Prior to being elected to the City Council, he was the first black man to serve on the city's Human Rights Comm- ission. In this capacity he brought a calming but direct voice to the table as Golden Valley was beginning to grapple with race relation issues in the 1960's. John Mitchell was primarily responsible for organizing and creating Golden Valley's Black History Month which celebrates the wide-ranging contributions black people have made to American culture. Black History Month was created to penetrate prejudice and enlighten a largely white audience in an entertaining way. The Black History Month tradition has been continued annually by the Golden Valley Human Rights Commission in the City of Golden Valley and has been copied by other cities in the United States. The Black History Month celebration observance has been recognized as one of the most comprehensive celebration of black cultural history in the nation. No other predomin- antly white area has taken Black History forward to the degree of that of Golden Valley, Minnesota. 2. How did nominee's actions/activities benefit the Golden Valley Community? John Mitchell's leadership in the creating of Black History Month brought to the citizens of Golden Valley an understanding of the contributions of black people to our culture and furthered race relations in the community. 3. When and where did these actions/activities take place? Black History Month celebration has been ongoing since it was started by John Mitchell and the community of volunteers composed of representatives from area businesses, foundations, schools, arts groups and community citizens. 4. Who was the principal beneficiary of the nominees activities/actions? The principal beneficiary of Black History Month celebration has been the citizens of Golden Valley. 5. Is there any other information about the nominee which might facilitate the Commission's decision? John Mitchell, Sr. made it his mission to improve the lives of others and he was highly respected for his commitment to service. He organized and was the first president of the Rotary Club of Golden Valley in 1973 whose slogan is, "Service Above Self'. He went on in the Rotary organization to become the District Governor of Rotary District 595 which encompassed 60 Rotary Clubs in Minnesota. John Mitchell retired from Honeywell in the 1980's and moved with his wife, Sarah, to Mission, Texas. 6. Please list any other people who would support this nomination. Include their phone numbers. Mary Anderson, former mayor of Golden Valley/City Council member 763-588-8578 Steve Swartz, former member Golden Valley City Council/ Human Rights Commissioner 763-544-5584 J. Thomas Parry, Past District Governor Rotary International District 595 952-473-0672 Diane Confer, daughter of John N. Mitchell, Sr. 763-553-1604 2009 Golden Valley Human Rights Commission Hobbes Human Rights Award Nomination Golden Valley Human Rights Commission Golden Valley City Hall 7800 Golden Valley Road Golden Valley, MN 55427-4588 Person Nominated Nominated by: Name: Tom Henderlite Name: Marion Helland Address: Robbinsdale Middle School Address: 7720 Winnetka Hts. Dr. 3730 Toledo Avenue North City/State/Zip: Robbinsdale, MN 55422 City/State/Zip: Golden Valley, MN 55427 Organization Organization: Golden Valley Human Sandburg Middle School, District 281 Rights Commission Affiliation: Principal Affiliation: Commissioner Day Phone: 763-504-4801 Day Phone: 763-546-7469 Email: tom—henderlite@rdale.org Email: marionhelland@comcast.net Introduction Principal Tom Henderlite has provided freedom to teachers to use curricula that illustrates human rights issues at Sandburg Middle School in Golden Valley. This encouragement of teachers to broaden the curriculum to include local human rights issues in a classroom context has given teachers the safety to creatively explore them with their students. The Advocates for Human Rights selected Sandburg Middle School as one of its first "Right Sites" in 2001 because of its dedication to weaving human rights into its existing curriculum. 1) How did the nominee further human rights in Golden Valley? Please list specific actions or activities. • Human rights education helped teachers to increase interaction between students enrolled in three different programs at Sandburg: the alternative WINGS (Working Innovatively Now for Graduation Success) program for at -risk students with a range of learning abilities, International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IBMYP), and a third group of students, the English as a Second Language Learners (ESL). Teachers and students in these programs worked together to start a dialogue about human rights through skits that they created with the help of a local theater company. • During the 2003-2004 school year the entire eighth grade IBMYP team of 125 students participated in an interdisciplinary unit entitled, The Rise of Fascism in Post World War I Germany, the Holocaust and Human Rights. In English class, students read the Diary of Anne Frank, in Mathematics and Science they studied half-life and the atom bomb, and in Humanities they studied the historical events that led up to WWII. Throughout the unit they were encouraged to think about what can be learned from past events to prevent future wars. In response to this question, and as a reminder for future students, the team created a mural in one of the schools. • Principal Henderlite supported the Golden Valley Human Rights Essay Contest each of the past 10 years by encouraging the teachers and students to participate. He attended and gave inspirational remarks and recognition at the award ceremony for the students, teachers, parents and human rights commissioners. 2) How did the nominee's actions/activities benefit the Golden Valley community? Using community service and the environment as vehicles for teaching about and for human rights, the community benefited directly from the projects generated under interdisciplinary plans to beautify the school and school yard. Lessons on consumerism and recycling related to human rights brought forth the importance of a local, national and global perspective. Students reading their human rights essays for an audience of parents, school administrators, the mayor and city council members and human rights commissioners led to meaningful connections between school and community. 3) When and where did these actions/activities take place? Is it/are they ongoing? Please describe? Sandburg Middle School was selected in 2001 by the Advocates for Human Rights as one of the very first "Rights Sites" because of its dedication to weaving human rights education into its existing curricula. The work of adding human rights to all school curriculums continued until the end of the 2009 school year when Sandburg Middle School was closed. Tom Henderlite also helped support caucuses at Sandberg by encouraging all teachers to open their classrooms to citizen participation. He made sure that both political parties knew how to work the intercoms for that evening and that the janitorial staff and other school staff were fully cooperative. Additionally, tables, chairs and any other equipment that was needed was willingly put in place to facilitate caucus evening. Thousands of people have attended caucus night during Mr. Henderlite's tenure and he made these evenings possible. Human Rights activities also encouraged the student body to openly accepts and welcome fellow students from diverse background. Over the period Mr. Henderlite was principal (1990 to 2009), the number of children eligible for hot lunch programs grew and the diversity of students increased markedly. Tom Henderlite's leadership and sensitivity to other cultures set the tone of welcoming diversity. 4) Who was the principal beneficiary of the nominee's activities/actions? Students, parents, teachers and the Golden Valley community 5) Is there any other information about the nominee which might facilitate the Commission's decision? Mr. Henderlite has been a valuable participant on the Desegregation/Integration Community Collaboration Council for School District 281 since its beginning nearly 10 years ago. 6) Please list any other people who would support this nomination. Include their phone number. Ms. Lauren Hildebrand Ms. Theresa Jorgenson Ms Sondra Vaughn -Kelly Director District 281 International Baccalaureate Program 763-504-4885 Former GVHRC Commissioner Former GVHRC Commissioner 763-544-2851 763-588-2973 Ms Kathy Seipp Program Associate 612-341-3302 Human Rights Education Program The Advocates for Human Rights We All Count Competition Update On January 30'' the Awards and Recognition Ceremony took place that the Brookview Community Center. The commission received positive responses from the participants, teachers, and parents. Copies and reproductions of all submitted materials have been provided to the Planning Department. The Planning Department is displaying the poster submission in City Hall and the winning entry, which was a PSA, will be broadcasted on Channel 12; however, the Planning Department was unable to provide airtimes. It should be noted that participants in the event were from Breck and Robbinsdale Cooper High School, despite attempts and communications to encourage participation from other schools that service the Golden Valley community. Budget Break Down: GVHRC funded Prize Monies: $175.02 First Prize $125.00 Second Prize $100.02 Third Prize $400.04 First Place: Ben Gislason - $58.34 Zachary Soshin - $58.34 Elizabeth Whitney - $58.34 Second Place: Katya Torres - $62.50 Maria Barrera - $62.50 Third Place: Michael Mooney — $33.34 Victoria Vogel - $33.34 Katie Robinson - $33.34 Cost Allocated to $1500 Bremer Grant: $659.45 Awards and Medals $295.00 Community Center Rental $108.75 Production of Posters $1063.20 On February 6, 2010, report was submitted to Minnesota Department of Human Rights confirming completion of project. Special thanks given to Commissioners Yahle, Helland and Council Members Scanlon and Pentel who participated in the ceremony.