Hello. Hey there. Good to see everyone. Hello. Hi. Hi, Milan. Hi, Ronnie. And everyone else. Where are we missing? It's only six,
seven of us. Is that correct? We just six of us actually. Yeah, I guess. Yeah, we only need five, right? So, we do have a quorum. Okay. Okay, cool.
Shall we get started then? Oh, okay. Okay. It's 6:01 p.m. and the Human Rights Commission is now in session. Oops. Second. Pursuant to chap Pursuant to chapter 20 of the acts of
2021, this meeting will be conducted via remote means. Members of the public who wish to access the meeting may do so via Zoom or by telephone. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can
adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. So, welcome everyone. Happy to see new faces here. Um um today we have a fairly
straightforward agenda. Principally it's the human rights report that we're going to talk about. Um did I do roll call? I did not. I just realized who's not here. Silus. Yeah. Yes.
Okay. Liz Hagood absent. Uh Rswanakhan present. Deborah Coladney here. Silus absent. Ronnie Parker here. J P here.
Present. Alexandra Tara Torina present. Did I say that correctly? You'll have to correct it so that almost it's okay. Okay. Milan Clark here.
Okay, that's done. Um, welcome everyone. Um, so it looks like I'm just going to go a different way from the agenda and first welcome our new commissioners,
Alex and Milan. We're so thrilled to have you both. I know you both have a lot to contribute. I don't know if you'd like to start by just saying a few words about yourselves and then we'll go into uh the agenda itself and maybe we should go around and
everyone just say a little bit couple of sentences not your whole life story do you want to start? Yeah. Okay. That's a challenge just to say a couple of words but yeah is
amazing and um I am very happy over here because I as a person got involved and I got to know how to uh negotiate and to interact with people and be a facilitator in short and uh basically
human rights mission as you know Milan you don't know actually Alex also um we have done a lot we have created bylaws and we are very close-knit um you know membership over here very nice resident volunteers so I actually it's
not just us all of the um uh commissions are like that so I'm very uh happy to have you both of you here it's um you know we are going to have a wonderful year with a retreat and all that thank you
okay Milan You're next on my screen. All right. Uh my name is Milan. Um I've lived in Ammeris since about 2012. So came here for school. I've stuck around ever since. Um I'm pretty involved with the Amoris League of Women Voters um on
the steering committee. Um co- spokesperson as well. Um and I've just been getting more involved with things around town in the past few years. Um, I know one day I I looked up and I was just saying, you know, I want to at least get more involved in what's going
on. So, I started, I don't know, showing up to some meetings and next thing I know, uh, I'm here. Great. Welcome. Thank you, Deb. Hi, everyone. Deb Kadney. I've been on commission for two years. I moved to
Ammeris four years ago. And, um, as some of you know, this will be my last meeting. I am actually my membership. I just took a position uh as a rabbi in Brattleboroough, Vermont. And even though I'm not moving immediately uh and
I thought initially, oh, I'm not moving. I can do both things. But I started a week and a half ago and it's um I know this is public, but it's kicking my ass. So, it's a lot a lot a lot of work and I just don't have the bandwidth um that I
used to have. So, um, yeah, I could tell you more, but I'm leaving. So, I will miss working on an Alex because, uh, I remember interviewing you and you're both absolutely fantastic and I know you're going to do amazing things here. So,
thank you for joining us. Thank you. Thank you, Deb. Alex, you're next. And then Jay, um, hi. It's really nice to meet everyone. I'm Alex. Um, I just moved to Ammerst a year ago for school. I go to Ammerst College. So, I'm originally from
Russia, but I'm really excited to get more involved uh with Ammerst as a town beyond my college campus. Jay, I've been a college professor in the
area for since 1996 and and I thought that since this is a college town with so many schools associated with the area, it would be nice to have some representation from the college at least from the um you know teacher perspective
and as well as being a resident in the town. I think there are a lot of intersections of what happens between the town and the colleges. I think there's something to be contributed from that area. Okay. And I'm Ronnie Parker. I am with
Deb in Deb in transition but with Deb co-chair of the human rights commission. And I moved here four years ago just like Deb. Um I am very interested I've been very interested in human rights for a long time. uh particularly having to
do with food uh the right to food. In any event, um welcome to you both. Uh I guess we can now go to our agenda. Um okay. Um are there any announcements?
Yeah. Okay. Yeah. I think I'll just share should I just share something with you about I attended an LGBTQ first time rainbow meeting at the banks community center and they don't want them to be
considered as seniors. they want intergenerational um thing and it was really interesting uh our DI support uh Pamela was also there and I felt uh that uh somehow we were not uh giving them their due um I
guess uh recognition because all they were quite lost in a way they didn't know how to handle everything fortunately but our DI office is really strong in s taking surveys and conducting ing everything very hands-on.
So uh so basically what I felt was that we had somehow ignored them. I don't know it's my personal thing in the surveys or we did not highlight them. I don't know what the background is but because of the pride parade uh there was
a a lot of um validation that happened and there was this one person who has moved from Florida older guy but he wanted the whole community intergenerational people to meet in a very nice avenue so they can enjoy and have some activities so I think we
should not ignore that that's all. Thank you. Any other announcements? Okay. Um so agenda as I said um it's fairly straightforward. Um today um mainly a bunch of reports
the usual reports and then the discussion of the human rights the annual human rights report that we submit and then one important announcement. But let's go first to public comment. I see there is no public. It's there only seven participants. So we can skip that.
Uh we're moving now to member reports. Are there any reports? Okay. I can I can I can provide one more report. The one I went to was veterans morning also and that was very
interesting. Uh it was there was a lot of um um stress or like a concern as to what was going on but again Tamila dropped in there was coffee and all that. So she also said there are some in the mornings they are going to have some
kind of a interaction communication and trying to de-stress the situation because the the all these veterans they felt that they were being pulled apart uh to due to the situation. So I don't know how should we address that also. So
that is one of the report. I actually wrote it in my blog also. So it was a little bit sad uh when I heard them uh talking about their their past and how they are right now and they're facing the same same stress level. So that is
they felt helpless basically. Yeah. Um could you tell me what they're facing? I'm sorry to sound ignorant but when you say they're facing what is the issue that they're facing? All right. Thank you for asking.
basically um they are mostly from Vietn era and they were doing advocacy and they were on the sidewalks and they were standing there and doing so now because of the uh fact that um the situation is quite similar in their minds because the
the army is uh military is on the you know streets in um um uh Washington. So uh they were just because of that that was bringing uh to them those memories and and the other fact was also again if
we who connected to the human rights they were not able there was a lot of division and friction between their families who are not in Ammerst might be they in Ohio or somewhere so they are not able to communicate with them also. So basically they are very isolated
and they were saying that because they are in Ammerst and because they are more I guess attuned to advocacy and so on they are not able to talk or handle the situation. So I guess that's again where we are talking about facilitation and
coming in to play. So they were stressed because of that. It is recreating their past u issues when they were you know at in the Vietnam era and and because of their fact that they had given their lives to the army and front lines and
now they are not getting their what were they expecting. Okay. Well, thank you for the report. I think that when we uh begin our outreach once our video is done, it's important to maybe use that as a way to connect with
more groups in the community um in the in the next year. Um any other reports? I have one and this has to do with the immigration initiative. Um I think you all well there are so many new people
here but there was a decision to approve um sending a letter out and calling together local organizations that are working with immigrants and connecting them with the state office for refugees
and immigrants. um so that we could think about how we're going to respond to all the fear that is ha that is around us um because of ICE actions and their budget having
gone up the fear has increased. We as the human rights commission really cannot run programs or do stuff very much but we can convene people. And so what we have done is convened a small group of I believe there are 12 organizations
uh that will be meeting with the office for refugees and immigrants and um the ACLU Massachusetts um on Friday. Uh it'll be a quick it'll be a deep and short meeting and we're
hoping that some kind of coalition will emerge from this meeting. Um I DEI has been working very uh hard on it with me and so Philip do you want to add anything to what I've just said for now?
No, I would just say that um it's definitely an initiative that a lot of people have been wanting to happen. So I think um you all should definitely feel proud of um the convening of the group and hopefully it it it comes and transpires from something on Friday. I
think a lot of people want to do work and collaborate just sometimes it takes that initial meeting. So that's what uh this Friday is about and I spoke with the oi their top people are going to join us. Uh they have a lot
of important resources that I the point of it for me largely is that the resources they have that are available to us should be made known so that we can access them for our local population. And these include everything
from different kinds of legal assistance to, you know, $20 a month for your family member who may be detained so they can use the commissary and buy stuff. So, it's quite a range of resources. Um, anyway, we'll know more
after Friday. Um, but I think we were taking the first step. Um, that's my report. That's the only one I have. Um, anything else before we move on?
Okay. Um, welcome to new commissioners. We did that. Thank you. Welcome, welcome, welcome. We're so happy. Um, I want to tell you as new commissioners that one of the reasons we're able to get so much done is that everybody comes to the meetings. If you don't have a
quorum, you cannot do anything. So, it's really important to be here and to vote. and I hope you'll continue to come regularly. Um, approval of minutes. Um, has everyone read the minutes? Who can who can vote
for that? I guess we cannot approve them now cuz can we approve? You can approve you can approve them. Um, Milana, even though we I would suggest just abstaining from it since you were not a part of the um minutes there, but you have a majority still. Um,
okay. Present. Okay. Can I get a motion to approve the minutes? Jay second. Okay. Um, all in favor?
You might need to do a roll call. Ronnie. Okay. Rizswana Milan Ronnie. Yes. Deb, yes. Alex, I'm saying, right?
Jay, yes. Okay, motion's passed. Um, okay. We're on to our very special co-chair who has done a lot of work in
on this commission um including help us formulate the three-year plan which we are now in the middle of. Um so Deb, floor is yours. I'm sorry. The floor is yours.
I heard what you said. I'm supposed to be presenting this. Oh, you're supposed to make your announcement. Oh, I already did. Yes. Yeah, I think that um and then just
probably the initial the video, right? Correct. Okay. Okay. So, Deb, thank you so much for your service. I really cannot say that enough. I know you've contributed a lot. you're a very you've been a very busy
person, but um I've really appreciated the support I've gotten as a co-chair. Thank you. Well, Ronnie, it has been a pleasure working with you. It's been a pleasure working with everybody on the board. The DEI office is remarkable and um sorry, I didn't realize I needed to
formally like read into the minutes. Um but um and I'm sorry to be leaving. Um, yeah. I'm sorry to be leaving and I know you're all fired up to continue doing good work. So, I'll see you.
I know. Yeah. But we know you'll be amazing as a rabbi to your flock. I don't know if you can say that. In Christian churches, they say the flock. I don't know. Whatever. But I know you'll be amazing. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you. The other thing it
that's happening in my life is that I started a justice project with a national Jewish organization um to activate 50 congregations and 300 clergy and 120 clergy students for climate care
and for peace in Israel Palestine. So, um, one of the things that's been, uh, I was able to juggle that with freelance work, but I wasn't able to juggle that with a pulpit and this. So, um, I say
that just to say I'll be continuing to do work um, you know, to the needs of who are traditionally under reppresented or oppressed and or oppressed. So, thank you. My heart. All right. So that means that we'll need
a new co-chair and I would really like Hey Liz, welcome. How are you? Um so I would really like um people to think about who you would like to nominate. We
have our retreat next month. At that point we'll nominate a new co-chair. Okay. Uh Liz, do you want to introduce yourself? We have two new commissioners today. you're muted. I'm actually driving from uh my cousin's
uh pollen hour, so I apologize for being late, but family first. I My name is Elizabeth Hagood. I am this is my beginning will be my sixth and last year on the commission and I am a past uh
co-chair with Ronnie. It looks like I'm not very good at holding on to co-chairs because we just lost Deb. Sorry, don't take that personally. Oh, okay. So, moving on. Um the next
item is the human rights report. Uh what we placed in the attachment is a draft version. It doesn't say draft, but it is a draft. It's missing I think some a piece that Silus was going to write about his work with the housing authority. Is that in there, Philip? I
think that's missing. But otherwise, it's more or less there. Did everyone read the report? Yes. Raise your hand if you read it. Okay. Um, are you ready to sort of um
are there any questions about it? Wana? Yeah, there was one typo there um in that report. I guess the instead of red cars, it was cars. Car. Oh, okay. That was a minor taco.
Okay, so since Jay hasn't read it and just so I everyone understands everything, I'm just going to go over it very quickly. Um it does talk about the work of the HRC which is different from our usual
because it doesn't list a lot of events but it shows that we didn't have events and participated in in events. Um but it also talks about the other work we've done mainly the webinar
um which needs to be videoed. It hasn't been done yet, but it will be, I think. Um, I think the text is all written, so it just has to go. And I know we have a commissioner who has experience in this area. So, um, I think Deb, we can make a
smooth transition maybe with Milan if you're interested in taking it on because I know you've worked with Ammerst Media quite a bit. Um, let's see. representation. Is there anything we need to highlight here that
you think, Philillip? We have all the usual things. Maybe we should talk about the challenges. Um, one is that our bylaw has not been presented to the town council yet. So, the bylaws, this is the second year that
we're going back and saying, why hasn't it been presented for approval? We still don't have bylaws. Uh when Liz was my co-chair, she and I held meetings with the town's lawyers, the town manager to go over the bylaws, address any issues. So I know it's ready to go, but it
hasn't gone. Um so that's one challenge that we are going to we have mentioned. The other one um is that we want to see a stronger relationship with and more engagement with the town manager and town council
when it comes to human rights issues. Our mandate says that we are an advisory bo body to the town council and the town manager, but our advice has never been sought. Um, the town's charter allows for a town council member to participate
in our meetings, but no one has ever been assigned to us. So I think we want to say that it is time there's enough going on now that and we are working on these issues that we really need um the
town to consider our voice as an entity. So, that is the last thing. What I'd like to do is see if um we could see if you I would like to make a motion to make the minor changes,
add the housing bit from Silus, and go submit it. So, is there anyone who's ready to second that? I second. Okay. Rswana Deb. All right. Then we'll take a vote on it.
So if you agree, say yes. Uh RZswana, yes. Milan, yes. Ronnie, yes. Deb, yes. Jay, yes. Alex,
yes. Liz. Yeah. Okay. Motion approved. We'll make these small changes. We'll add a few sentences from Silus and submitted. Okay. Thank
you. Um, so next is the DEI update. Phillip. All right. I am pulling that up right now. I'll be honest, we don't really have much to update. It is uh the summer
for us. So, we're taking How about working with the How about working with me on the immigration? Yes, we definitely have that happening um there. So, you already gave that update. So, thank you for doing that. Yeah, we're having that initial meeting
on Friday. Um it's a convenor group um that you all are leading with the help of us in a way. um uh Pamela acting as the HR or the human rights director. Um
so we are planning on doing a lot of outreach um in the upcoming months here with school starting back up. You know, living in the college town, all of you all know that things start to really ramp up in September. me and calendar or me and Pamela have done our calendar for
the end of the year and kind of really the um next fiscal year here and it is basically packed. Uh so we have a lot of things um happening. Two of them that I will mention is Crest is having a crest day on 9:21 from 12 to 4 at Mil River
Park and that is really meant to understand uh what is crest in the community. So, they're trying to get as much um advocacy out there and just get the word out. You know, they're going to be there. You can talk to responders. You'll talk to the director. You can really hopefully understand what it is
Crest is doing on a day-to-day. I think that that question has been asked a lot in this past year. So, they're hoping to have that answered um and people feel confident that the work that they're doing is uh needed and valuable. Uh the next one that I will mention is the
block party that is um the 18th of next month. Um that will be from 5 to 9. Uh historically we've had you all kind of act as volunteers at our table and um talk about the HRC interact with the public. So if you all are interested in
doing that um we can certainly send out a um signup genius to do so and you all can sign up um slots. It's usually we have two people and it's for no more than an hour. So, you know, if you're already there, stop by the table. Then
you get to just talk a little bit in that way. Uh the department is going to be given um the staffing duties of the new Ammerst Black Reparation Committee that is being formed. Um applications are open now. Uh review of them will
start um 92, so September 2nd. Um, but you know, if you submit one September 3rd, we will still look at your application. It's just we're that's when the review is happening. And so, we'll start to hopefully uh get that group up and running. That will give the
department uh staffing four of our town boards and commissions with a staff of two. So, we will uh be managing that the best that we can. Uh the DEI newsletter um is on our page. So, if you are ever wondering what it is
DEI is doing, uh we are hopefully getting that out and making um everybody aware what it is that we are doing. Um this upcoming newsletter will have some new initiatives that we're going to take on. Um I would say it now, but we just need approval on one of them. So, I
don't want to misspeak, but um if you look at the newsletter, you'll kind of get where where I'm going with that. And then uh we have the annual report. I couldn't remember if uh we had a um time to highlight that at our last meeting in July, but uh the DEI um did an annual
report just kind of of all the initiatives that we did and that is also on our website and that is for the fiscal year of 2024 to 2025. So that's a really good one. Uh I am going to be participating um every Saturday starting
in September to October um of the RISE program. That program is a youth empowerment initiative that's in partnership with Wreck uh PD Crest and the DEI office is going to be doing that. And so that is um you know getting kids kind of moving but also talking
about topics around DEI and um other related topics that will be happening um Saturday. We are still looking for participants to sign up. I may sign up my son. He just doesn't know about it yet. We'll see what happens. And then lastly, uh the Ammerst Global
Village Festival, which is the festival that we've, uh come into from all of the events that you all um put on as a committee that we've focused into one. Um it's, believe it or not, time to start talking about 2026 Ammerst Global Village Festival. So, we're looking for
a member to join our planning committee from you all. Um, so then that way, you know, obviously I will give updates as needed, but that way you all can have a member on the committee as well and um, give input on those day-to-day um, interactions. I guess that was uh, more than what I
thought I would update on, but those that's the update. So, I would really like to be sure we have um involvement in this block party because it's very active. It's also a nice way to meet other people in town.
Um, are you going to send out a signup sheet, Philip? Yeah, I just wanted to make sure that that was still what um, you all wanted and I basically have it created. I just need to hit send tomorrow when I get in the offer. Yeah, I say go ahead. Yeah, I wanted to find out more about
the budget also because the new budget has been passed. Uh, the I guess mass culture has passed their uh, budget, the state one, but uh, what is the update for that budget? Are we getting any money? Because last time we were a
little bit there was a heightened emotion about that. So just give us an update. Thank you. An update on the DEI budget or what budget? The DI. Yeah, any any budget, right? So the DEI budget is um the same
that it has been. We saw no increase or no decrease. So we have the same budget that we had last year which is our salaries and then um 135 for operating expenses. Um so that is a budget we are working with. That's what we're working
with from last year. Um the HRC budget um is still around that 500 that I spoke about last time. we hear 200 of it will go to the video and then um we are using some money for the meeting um this Friday as well for um that um initiative
but not not much in that. So So so is there any way of raising funds? Is there any options to do that? So you all as a commission have what is called a friends account for um the town and so
that is um controlled by kind of you all and anybody in the public can get to that. So if someone wrote even a $5 $10 check whatever it is if they put on the memo line HRC friends account it's going to go into an account that will pay for
initiatives that you all would like to see. Historically that's been for events that have happened throughout the years. Um so you know Junth, Lunar New Year, um Black History Month, but um last year we used that account for the Amoris Global
Village Festival to really um put that together. And then you all got a donation from the League of Women Voters for the Youth Hero Awards. So that's where some of that money um is coming from as well as selling some t-shirts um at the end. So So there's a follow-up question also.
For example, if we are interested in asking for grants, for example, now you mentioned that women's um legal, you know, that voters, they also gave donated gave money for that. So, if we are interested in getting grants, so how
is the DEI office can help us? That I will have to get back to you on. I'm not sure on the aspects of grants because um as a municipality we like as a department we would need to get the approval of the town manager to apply for a grant. I'm not sure how that works for a town committee but I might think
it's the same but I don't want to misspeak. I I I don't know that answer for sure. Okay, that'll be great. Thank you. So, someone asked me um just recently about making a donation to the Human Rights Commission. Do they get a notice that's a that allows them a tax
deduction or is it more like a political contribution? Um it's definitely tax um deductible. So um I'm not sure if our accounting office gives a notice. I can find that out. But if not um we can give them the tax ID and um and go from there.
Okay, great. Um anything else on DEI? So I do want to say I won't be here the month of September and so it's really important that people show up at that. Not that I but I would have been there
the whole time. I love going to that but this year I won't be there and I have met a lot of people and had a lot of questions about the commission and what we do and you know there's a lot of interest and so it's important for us to have a presence there. I would say uh
silus welcome. party. I'm usually at the block party for the whole time as well. So, I'll be there. Great. Um, Silus, uh, we have two new commissioners and we all went around and introduced ourselves. If you could just
say a few things about yourself. Sure. Hi, I'm Silus. So, nice to meet you. Um, looks like Milan and Alex. Um, I use hehim pronouns and I I live in Amherst but I I work at Smith College
and um I'm this is my almost first full year on the commission. Okay. Um Okay. The next agenda item is retreat planning. I believe the retreat date we set is for September 28th. So, we won't
have a meeting in September, but we will have the retreat uh which is a Sunday. What else do we do we need to discuss? Philip, uh Ronnie or Liz or someone else on the commission? Do you all want to give a um
kind of what the retreat entails for the new members just to because it's very different than a meeting. So, for one thing, it's a whole day. We get together. The idea is to get to know each other better, to build trust, to
share our thoughts about human rights and where we stand and what our priorities are. And on a more practical level to come out with a work plan for the next year. Like last year, we said we're going to focus on immigration and we're going to focus on education about
human rights and then we built our work around that. So at the retreat we will say next year we will focus on X and Y or just X or whatever it is. Um that's the outcome but a lot of it is about us
getting to know each other so we can work comfortably. It's in person. Um throughout the year we're just on Zoom. We're just little boxes and I think it's really important to have that kind of exchange. So that's that. Um, does
anyone want to add who's been to a retreat before? J U Liz, I can't tell if you raised your hand. You're on mute. I actually did not raise my hand. I'm trying to drive in this pouring rain on the highway. So, I'm just listening.
Okay. Uh, silence. Jay, were you at last year's retreat? Yes. Um would you like Yeah. I mean Liz wrote the best poem. That's all I can remember. Oh yeah. Yeah. I mean there was a wonderful
exercise of where the you various members uh speak about themselves but they express that through things such as poetry. It was it was a good creative exercise I thought for all of us and it was a way for us to get to know each
other much better. Um, you know, I wish that we had more of those kinds of things happening, but um, you know, we do what we do according to the bylaws. So, actually, that's also something to consider for the retreat next year.
Maybe we should have, you know, another gathering mid year or more gatherings in general that are more in person, uh, that focus more on how we on getting to know each other. I don't know. It's something to discuss at the retreat. Uh Silus, did you want to add anything
or you guys have been at retreats before? Yeah, I agree with Jay that we did have that um icebreaking u exercises where we and that was really good for us and
basically Pamela was there. So I now that we have Philip there but but I will miss her. Well, and the fact is that this time we should be more prepared in the way as to the
situation um environmentally, politically and so on and we should bring more proactive things on the agenda and then we should filter out and do something like that. So, and everybody should have this kind of a
role that they need to play that should be highlighted in that retreat also. Um, yeah, just seconding what all was said. I I think one other piece that wasn't mentioned was we did a a values
assessment and some scenario-based work. Um, and I think that that was really useful because um, like it it's that piece of how do we maintain our our working relationship um, with each other as as we're working towards the task of of advancing human rights um, in Amherst
and and so I I really appreciate that that opportunity to to think alongside you all and and see how I think diverse the perspectives are on this commission even in how we may um, approach a certain scenario for example. Um but yeah
yeah I I I just wanted to add to it that we have some projects that we are actually working on for example the webinar and so on. So we should try to make that
happen. Even the even Deborah started it and initiated so many projects. We should look into those and we should try to sustain them basically and find ways to sustain them also because that will take a lot of energy and stamina you
know. So we we should look into it and ar not archive them we should make it more you know happening so that we are there out there on media also. Okay any other comments questions about
the retreat before we move on Milan? Well, maybe not necessarily the retreat, but just the video itself that was discussed. Is uh is that the goal of the video just to introduce the role of the HRC and the work that the HRC has done or is
there more to it? Uh Deb, I'll let you speak. Descriptions of what a complaint is and how you get um who you go to to get a to make a complaint and what you can expect when you do that. um to be clear to give
clear working definitions of what uh human rights are and what a violation of human rights is. Not only so people can make a complaint but also so if people are running a business or an organization and they want to get some consulting support so that they do the
right thing um they can get in touch with the DEI office. So um yeah, it's it's not uh the goal is not to say who we are. The goal is to say this is what we do. We want to be of service to you. If you think something happened, get in
touch. If you want to make sure you don't do something wrong, get in touch. That kind of thing. Gotcha. Right. Great question. Okay. Uh Jay, yes. Um, may I suggest that the script
for the video be sent to everybody present today so that you everybody could be on the same page so to speak? I think that's a great idea for all of us to have it and bring it with us to the retreat because we will talk about
it in the next steps. Um, anything else? Okay. Retreat planning. Mhm. Phillip, what do we need to do? Um, or do you all do it? Well, no, you all
we volunteer to help, don't we? Yes. Yeah. Um, but the date was Sunday the 28th. Okay. Yeah, I think. Yeah, I remember that. Okay. And then time frame wise, what did it
what are you all looking for? Jake. Yeah, it's me think I mean last year I think that we started late morning almost lunch. Yep. Yeah. Right. So I think that worked quite well. That time frame worked quite well.
So why don't we stick with that? I think historically we have started earlier um on that and I I'll be I'll be honest and just selfish for me and Pamela as uh employees of the town. I think that would be preferred on our on our end so we could have somewhat of a Sunday.
But I mean if the majority of you all feel that way then then we will do what what the majority would like. Yeah. 9:00 is good too. Actually, I'm an early bird. So, so but I I'm just suggesting
the only suggestion I would make is that whenever we start, we have like a closing session right after lunch so that we have that time for some social interaction. Um, and the other thing that I suggest about Sunday is that
maybe a team of us could be predetermined to do the cleanup so that at the time point when the meeting is over, Pamela and Philip can go home and we will clean up and leave the place as we found it. So if we can get a few
volunteers to do that or all of us agree we're going to stay and clean up we when the meeting is finished they just leave. Yeah we can set up some timings also you know like if we come at specific time and and and Philip can leave early and
we can just not leave early as soon as the meeting is over they don't have normally we pack up our stuff and we walk out and they clean up. So instead, they pack up their stuff and leave and we clean up.
Yeah. I think last time we ended at 2:00. I don't know. I'm It's been one year now. So if we end at 2. Oh, cool. Is that what it was? 10 to 2.
Yeah, I think the time. Yeah. So, Philip, yeah. So 2:00 or we can end it at 1:00. Would that be 9 then? Start at 9. Or would you prefer like 12 to 4? Not 12 to 4 for them. They want to go
home and have their Sunday. So So they want it earlier in the day, right? Yeah, that would be our preference. Yeah. Yeah. It should end before 2:00. Let's set that up. You know, two is not ending. All right, people. okay with the nine
o'clock meeting or is that if you're okay with a nine o'clock, indicate with your thumb. I think nine is fine. Yeah, nine is cool. I'll just stay in bed as long as I can. No matter what time it is, that's how I
am. But night is fine. It's very reasonable. That blanket over there. No, you're sitting in the chair position. That works great. Then um I have so far from our conversations um nominating a
co-chair. Um yes, the video for you all. Um I think you all should discuss planning the human rights day. I feel like that always comes about just randomly sometimes and then we're doing it very last minute. That I think thinking of
ahead about it um would be good. and then any um anything that could do with the global village festival. But I think if you all have topics that you would like to add in um send them to Ronnie CC
me. I'll get them on the agenda. Okay. And then uh we will do kind of an icebreaker activity. Um I'm not sure if it will be the poem again or or what it is. Pamela is better at that stuff than I am. So I I will let her take the lead on that.
Okay. Um All right. Okay. Everyone plan to stay and clean up, please, so they can leave. Okay. Yeah. Um so we're back to public comment. And I see that there are no additional
public. There are just nine participants. So no public comment at this time. Um, next meeting date then would be the 3rd Wednesday of October. So, no meeting in September. We have the retreat in
September and then we have the next meeting in October. Um, are there any other topics to be discussed? Silus, I'll catch up to you afterwards on the human rights report.
Okay. I don't have any discussions, but I just want to uh publicly acknowledge that Deb um I'm glad that you are moving on, but I it will be sad to see you go. Um it's always fun. Uh for people that don't know, I was actually a co-chair at
the time when Deb joined the committee and um California. When I joined, you were a co-chair, Philip. Yes. Well, yes. Coming on. Uh so it's just been wonderful.
Yes, I'll miss you. Yeah, it won't be the same without you, Deb. I know you won't. We want We want you to move on to bigger and better things. You won't have my frizzy hair so as a barometer of how humid it is outside.
More like a clown I look, the more humid it is outside. But, um, thank you. I've, uh, it's been an honor to serve with you all. Okay. Thank you everyone. Uh it is 6:50 p.m. and the Human Rights Commission is
officially closed. Closed? Is that the word? Meeting is over. Thank you. Bye. Bye.