06/11/09AGENDA
GOLDEN VALLEY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
Golden Valley City Hall
Council Conference Room
June 11, 2009 — 7 pm
A = Action D = Discussion
Call to Order
Open Forum
Chair's Report
A - Approval of the minutes of the April 16, 2009 regular meeting
2010 U.S. Census
Joe Hogeboom, City Planner
Committee Reports:
D - School Education
D - Housing
D - League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions
D - Share the Dream
D - Discrimination
Old Business
New Business
D - Election of Officers
Adjournment
League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions Newsletter Vol.23 No.2 May 2009
RRCs plan local projects with the help of Bremer Grants
"If the goal is achieving social justice and meeting people's needs, then we can't be afraid to take
chances and change. It's the only way we will make a difference." So writes David Maurrasse,
writer and contemporary thinker on issues of innovative social responsibility and community
partnerships.
Maurrasse gives good advice and his work addresses the specifics for capacity building. The
Minnesota Department of Human Rights in partnership with the League received a grant of
$130,000 from the Otto Bremer Foundation over a three year period to provide local human
rights commissions with technical assistance to develop and implement civic engagement and
social justice educational activities. Mini -grants are awarded to local commissions who are
members of the League, at a maximum of $1,500 per event for the development of local
commissions in the areas of capacity building, education and seminars, outreach, networking
within the local commission's jurisdictional area, and youth involvement.
The Golden Valley HRC, like many Minnesota commissions, use many volunteer hours
planning for human rights activities. Commissioners pictured here spent the morning of
May 9t" on a strategic plan. They were buoyed by thoughts of a mini -grant to help with
envisioned projects.
Commissioners Chris Jordan, Debra Yahle,
GV Police Chief Stacey Altonen,
Chair Anne Dykstra at flip chart.
Front row: Commissioners Jay Sandvik,
Roger McConic, Back: GV Mayor Linda
Loomis, Commissioners Chris Jordan, Debra
Yahle, GV Police Chief Stacey Altonen
League completes eleventh annual Human Rights Essay Contest
The Roseville Human Rights Commission eleven years ago invited Middle School students to
write essays on Human Rights topics. Thus began the Annual Essay Contest. The League seeks
to stimulate thinking about human rights by offering new topics each year. Essay writing is
shown to be a powerful tool in stimulating thought and influencing behavior.
In conducting essay contests each year the League has these purposes:
➢ introduce sixth, seventh and eighth grade students to local Human Rights
Commissions.
➢ introduce universal human rights issues.
➢ familiarize students with the Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights adopted and proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution
217A (I 11) of December 10, 1948.
➢ familiarize students with the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution.
➢ familiarize students with the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
The Plymouth Human Rights Commission was among those that
presented Essay Awards at ceremonies with invited speakers along
with the student essay readers, their parents and teachers.
Essay contest winners posed with local officials at the Plymouth Human Rights Commission
Essay Contest Awards on April 30. (From left to right) Dist. 43A Representative Sarah
Anderson, District 43B Representative John Benson, Janhawi Kelkar, Mady North, Amy
Leininger, Plymouth Mayor Kelli Slavik and City Council Member Kathleen Murdock.
2
Plymouth middle school students recognized for penning
human rights essays
More than 40 middle school students from
Plymouth and surrounding communities
were recently recognized for putting pen to
pad to address their concerns over a variety
of human rights issues affecting populations
across the globe. On April 30, students,
parents, teachers and elected officials
gathered at Plymouth City Hall to
congratulate all participants of the Plymouth
Human Rights Commission and League of
Minnesota Human Rights Commission
annual essay contest.
For their essays, students were asked to
choose a current news event in which they
believed a human rights violation had taken
place. They were then tasked with using the
Bill of Rights, the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and/or the Minnesota Human
Rights Act to support their point of view and
discuss ways to help the situation. Students
wrote essays on a variety of topics including
racial discrimination, child slavery and
genocide.
"The hope is that we can prevent future
human rights violations -- like the ones
discussed -- through education," said
Plymouth Mayor Kelli Slavik in her address
to essay contest participants. "Talking about
these issues helps bring them to the
forefront."
First prize went to Mady North, a Wayzata
West eighth grader, for her essay titled,
"Waxing a car doesn't make
the engine run better."
— John Budd, University of Minnesota
"Taliban in Relation to Women's Rights."
Janhawi Kelkar, also an eighth grader at
Wayzata West, took second place for her
essay titled, "Treatment of Women by the
Taliban." Amy Leininger, an eighth grader
at Wayzata West, took third place for her
essay titled, "Is the United States Violating
Human Rights?" which questioned the
U.S.'s stance on torture.
All participants were recognized with a
certificate. The top three essayists received a
plaque along with a cash prize. North's first
place essay will move on to compete in the
state competition.
"The Human Rights Commission was
impressed with the wide range of news
items the students were able to identify as
human rights violations," said Commission
Chair Virginia Klevorn. "It was also
wonderful to see the encouragement given to
the students by the commissioners and
elected officials in attendance."
In addition to Mayor Slavik, Plymouth
Council Member Kathleen Murdock, state
Reps. Sarah Anderson and John Benson, a
representative of state Sen. Terri Bonoff and
members of the Plymouth Human Rights
Commission and staff were on hand to
congratulate all essay contest participants.
For more information, visit
www.ci.plymouth.mn.us.
"It is not good enough for things to be
planned — they still have to be done; for
the intention to become a reality, energy
has to be launched into operation."
Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan (born 1916)Western Sufi
Master/Teacher
Plymouth
Capacity Building and So Much More
By: Commissioners Virginia Klevorn and Sarah Haag, City of Plymouth
When the Plymouth Human Rights Commission came together for a capacity
building training session on March 26, they reached the goals for the training and
discovered something more. By including teachers and staff from the Wayzata
School District, "the commissioners learned not only about themselves but gained
knowledge about the ... school community" stated Commissioner Ada Alden.
The training was funded through an Otto Bremer Foundation Grant specifically
targeted to train Human Rights Commissioners. The Plymouth Commission
wanted to use the grant in a meaningful way and contracted the YWCA Racial
Justice Program to lead the training. Our training was entitled: "Encouraging
Difficult Conversations: The power of questions."
YWCA trained facilitators, Anita Patel and Briana Franzmeier, led the group of 23
to each identify their personal investment/commitment to human rights and to the
elimination of racism. Using circle discussion groups, we shared personal stories
and concerns. Together, we worked to develop responses to use when future
situations arise. Sharing the experience of watching Dr. Eric Jolly's YWCA video
presentation, and hearing his call to action, lead to a meaningful group discussion
about our community. Commissioner Sarah Haag "thought the collaboration with
the schools was excellent because schools and the issues that schools deal with
really reflect the community at large."
"The facilitation by the Y staff was very friendly and encouraging. The video of
Dr. Jolly was one of the best I've seen on the topic of ethnic interaction," said
Bootsie Anderson, a Social Studies teacher. Commissioners felt awareness was
bolstered by the knowledge and skills the training provided. In addition to the
school community learning about the Plymouth Commission, the training
diminished the sense of isolation that many had experienced prior to this
collaborative effort. An invitation by the Commission for continued collaboration
with the school was extended and accepted by those in attendance.
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The Plymouth Human Rights Commission would like to thank The Otto Bremer
Foundation, The Minnesota Department of Human Rights, Wayzata Public
Schools, Caribou Coffee at Rockford Road and Plymouth City Council for
supporting this important work.
Red Wing
Larry Clark, Honorary LMHRC Member
March 9 the Red Wing Human Rights Commission was one of several sponsors
that held a community forum entitled: "Equal Justice: Racial Disparities in the
Criminal Justice System." The event was co-sponsored by the First District Bar
Association, the Red Wing Police Department and Red Wing Community
Education. Additional funding was obtained from the League of Women Voters
Red Wing and the Dakota County Law Library. The keynote speakers were First
District Judge Joseph T. Carter and Assistant Ramsey County Attorney Clayton
Robinson. The forum was moderated by Larry Clark, an Assistant Dakota County
Attorney and former member of the Red Wing Human Rights Commission. The
speakers focused on the findings of the 1993 Racial Bias Task Force, created by
the Minnesota Supreme Court, and what progress has been made since that time.
Approximately 70 people attended the forum, held at the Presbyterian Church in
Red Wing.
Shoreview
Sam Abdullai, Commissioner and LMHRC Board Director at Large
The Shoreview Human Rights Commission was busy with numerous activities
during the past year. The annual poster contest for 4th grade students was held with
resounding success. The Commission held its first Community Dialogue, which
was attended by about 60 participants. The "Children Who Care" booklet
(educating children about human rights) continued to be well received. At the same
time, the Commission continued its efforts to reach out to the community and
maintained its strong working relationship with the City Council.
St. Cloud
Baba Odukale, Human Rights Director
Create CommUNITY announced the launching of Action -Learning Circles which
will meet six times between February and May of 2009. Each circle will consist of
12-15 participants with two facilitators. Participants will engage in an inquiry
process in which learners go beneath the surface to gather information, reflect, and
share their insights and suggest possible action strategies. These will form the basis
of the next level of work sponsored by Create CommUNITY in the months to
come. The project was co-sponsored by the Center for Service Learning and the
St. Cloud Human rights office.
Hopkins
Judy Reinehr, Hopkins HR Chair and LMHRC Librarian
A Hopkins commissioner from India will conduct an information survey activity at
the Mothers' Day breakfast in the Ramsgate Apartments Community Room for the
large number of immigrants who live there.
A free Film -Food -Forum event will be held May 15 at the Hopkins Center for the
Arts. The movie and theme will be around GLBT families. The movie "Our
House" will be shown following buffet dinner. Two GLBT families from local
schools will conduct a discussion.
In June the Commissioners will create a cable TV show with five immigrants who
have been here less than 10 years and two immigrants who have been here more
than 40 years. They will answer questions submitted in advance, discuss with each
other and with the audience. The show will be aired on TV several times.
Photos of events and activities will be displayed on a large easel around Hopkins.
Using Bremer Grant money the HRC is reviewing and selecting DVDs, videos and
books. Commissioners are working with the University of Minnesota Human
Rights Center to create a library for Commissioners, City Staff and Community
members.
In July the Commission will have its annual booth at the Main Street Family Day
Event for the Hopkins Raspberry Festival.
Recently completed events include: Genocide Prevention Network Resolution
passed by the City Council and a program at the Art Center for grades 2 and 3
involving reading books, sharing DVDs, artistic project with art supplies provided
as well as healthy snacks. Outcomes: a new Commission member and requests for
presentations to a PTA and the Library.
LMHRC Information
(763) 535-1051
(answering machine only)
www.leagueofninhumanri hg ts.org
Send Commission news and electronic photos for Together to
Marion Helland, Editor
marionhelland�a)comcast.net
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Date: June 11, 2009
Planning
763-593-8095 / 763-593-8109 (fax)
To: Golden Valley Human Rights Commissioners
From: Joe Hogeboom, City Planner
Subject: 2010 United States Census
Every ten years, the United States government completes a census count of everyone (citizens
and non -citizens alike) residing in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and US
island territories. The census count is administered by the United States Census Bureau, and
occurs every ten years. The first formal census was taken in 1790.
The next census count will begin on April 1, 2010, and finish on January 1, 2011. Local
governments' participation in the census is critical to obtaining an accurate count, and is
mandated by Article 1, Section 2 of the US Constitution. Accurate population data is critical for
many reasons, including the allotment of congressional seats in the US House of
Representatives. To address this issue locally, the Hennepin County Complete Count Committee
has been formed. This committee will help to identify innovative ways in which the US Census
Bureau can reach out to local governments.
The Planning and Development Department is dedicated to ensuring Golden Valley's success in
the upcoming census. In 2008, staff took an inventory of all addresses in the City to ensure that
all homes, condominiums, and apartment units will receive census material via US Mail.
Currently, the department is running articles in the bimonthly city newsletter regarding the census.
This will continue until April, 2010. In July, we will begin promoting the census online.
In the coming months, we will also have the opportunity to meet with officials from Hennepin
County, the State of Minnesota, and the US Census Bureau to discuss innovative strategies in
which to reach our residents. Making sure that all residents of Golden Valley are aware of the
census is critical. Understanding the demographical geography of the community will be helpful in
assuring that understandable census material is distributed. Staff looks to the Human Rights
Commission for assistance in identifying high areas of concentration of non-native English
speakers, as well as other social groups who may benefit from alternate materials from the US
Census Bureau. Strong promotion of the census is expected to begin in early 2010. By that time,
staff hopes to have a plan in place which aids in the communication of Census material to various
communities throughout the City. I will continue to update the Human Rights Commission as to
the progress of the City's work with the United States Census Bureau, as well as opportunities
that become available to the City through the Hennepin County Complete Count Committee.
CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY
PROCLAMATION OF SUPPORT FOR THE 2010 UNITED
STATES CENSUS
WHEREAS, the United States Census Bureau has officially initiated its 2010
Census promotional campaign; and,
WHEREAS, the participation of local governmental jurisdictions is vital in the
success and the accuracy of the collection of census data; and,
WHEREAS, Hennepin County has created a Complete Count Alliance to aid
local municipalities in adhering to federal census mandates; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Golden Valley has been requested to form a `Complete
Count Committee,' and formally establish a relationship with the Hennepin County
Complete Count Alliance,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED, the City Council of the City of Golden
Valley wishes to support the effort of the 2010 United States Census by endorsing the
Golden Valley Complete Count Committee and by joining the Hennepin County
Complete Count Committee.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the great
seal of the City of Golden Valley to be affixed this 7th day of April, 2009.
Linda R. Loomis, Mayor
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