There you go. >> Thank you. >> So, I'd like to uh open the Greenfield Human Rights Commission meeting. Uh this meeting is being recorded by the Greenfield Human Rights Commission and City of Greenfield. If any other person
present is doing the same, you must notify the chairperson at this time. >> Anthony, are you recording this? No, I am not. >> Okay, thank you. >> Okay, it's a call to order. Roll call of
the members. Nate, >> Alie, you want me to do a roll call? >> You can call it out. Yes, >> Linda can't connect. I don't mean to interrupt, but I don't know if anybody can do anything about that. >> Uh, I mean, we have a quorum now, so I
think we're good. The meeting is being >> right. We're okay. >> Okay. So, okay. So, roll call of members. PY >> here. >> Paul >> present. >> Kathleen
>> here. >> And I am here. We have a quorum. >> Okay. Thank you. >> So, we have the minutes of January 12th. Everybody should have received those >> and
um does anybody want to make a motion to approve those minutes? >> I move. >> Okay. makes a motion. Move a second. >> Second.
>> Thank you, Nate. Any corrections to the minutes? >> No. Okay. Um, anyone want to make a motion to accept the minutes? >> And I second that. We do have to do this
by roll call because it's a Zoom meeting. So, Nate, >> yes. >> Pocky, >> yes. >> Kathleen, >> oh, yes. >> And myself is a yes. So, the minutes are
approved unanimously. Is there any Oh, I'm sorry. Question. >> Well, Linda says she's in, but no one else is there. So, I don't know what to say or do at this point about that. >> What do you mean? >> That's what she wrote to me. >> She wrote what? >> I'm in. No one else is there. So, I
wrote back, "Oh, we're here." So, I don't know if she's in the wrong meeting. Like, I don't know what to say about that. Did you have a hard time getting in, Kathy? >> Uh, yes. But, but you just needed the password. It it's it's the usual stuff. >> Not too hard.
>> Okay. Jeez. I don't know. >> So, Jonathan, you don't see Linda, huh? >> No, there's no one in the waiting room. >> Okay. >> Okay. Sorry. I don't mean to be a pain. >> You need a password. You said >> Well, I >> I'm on the link that was in my calendar.
>> I I I was at the right I'm at the right call. I was at the right Zoom. Obviously, Linda is not. >> Okay. I'm gonna send her the Zoom. That's >> Yeah, >> she's on something that was on her calendar. Um, it's
showing me like I'm going to zoom in. It's on this thread. Never mind. It's right on the thread. All she has to do is thread up. Okay. Well, just go up on this thread and press the zoom link. It's right above this.
No one here is 25. >> Okay, we can continue in the meantime. Um, >> I I don't see anybody except Anthony. And is there any public comment? Not hearing any.
Um any update from the mayor's office, Jonathan? >> No. >> And right now there are no uh updates from the COC. New business contacting other Western
Mass human rights commissions about singlepayer healthcare. Um, so Linda sent us a list of the places that she found that
there were human rights commissions and I sent you a list of the five places that have already in this is all in Western Mass uh that have already passed uh resolutions.
Um that's Fitsburg, Greenfield, Northampton, Pittsfield, Williamsburg, and Ammerst. So um once Linda has a complete list,
I think we need to make a plan about how we will contact the other human rights commissions and offer to them. um the procedure we went through
and even the documents that we have uh and to uh suggest to them um that if they would like to meet with us, we'd be happy to do that. Nate, I think you had some other ideas about
just forming a coalition beyond that. >> Yes. Um, sorry I'm late everybody. I was I'm coming I was just coming back from a funeral and I know you guys need a quorum because this is important
meeting. So um I'm here virtually. Um thank you Paul for everything you're doing and Kathleen thank you. Um uh so my initial idea was that we was going to
um have everybody's contact like I know that I'm right now I'm looking at the spreadsheet of like people's emails and their chairs or whatever. Um and we were going to do like a conference and basically talk about
single pair healthcare and have specific workshops about single pair healthc carees um and whatever and it can be like a center location. A lot of these people are centers so it can be like here at the library or it could be somewhere and we can host it. Um so that was kind of my idea. uh once we get all
of their email, all their emails. And it looks like we kind of got all their emails that we can um email them from our email and then kind of go from there about setting up a meeting time or date and maybe seeing if co-chair and chairs
um want to meet one-on-one with me and Paul um and discuss timing and whatnot. Um, so yeah, that was kind of the the goal of uh of that.
>> And other people have thoughts on this, Paky or Kathleen or or G any of our guests as well? >> We can only do two things at once. Sorry, not three. >> I'm trying to write and contact Linda. Yes, I I am trying to just send her the
same thing. >> Hold on. I just copied and pasted it. So, hold on. >> Okay. This is Pocky. I do. Yeah. Um, >> go ahead. >> Before Natalie resigned, uh, Natalie Blle, our our representative. I met with her and we talked about the
just the timeline among other things. And I think that we'd like to to do this or I think it would be important to do do this as expeditiously as we can. And uh so I think it I would really
appreciate it if you all could meet with the the various chairs um as soon as possible just to get a sense from them what what would work. So we can move on this before the uh the
end of the legislature or the world. >> I mean I mean >> what >> Linda needs a meeting. >> Let me This is a a technicality issue here. Packy, did you know what the passcode is?
>> Yes, it's 077026. Hey, just give me one second. >> And was there a meeting name? >> No, it was my name. >> What was it? Your name? >> Yeah. >> Once you put Once you put the passcode in, you're getting it right into the meeting.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. I sent it to her. Sorry. I don't mean to sound like a little chick, but >> No, it's only do so many things. This is why meeting in person is so good. The um so I think we need to think about what
the steps are. Obviously the first step is what Linda has been doing which is getting the all the contact information and just even identifying which towns and cities have
a human rights commission. there doesn't seem to be a central repository for that information. Um, once we have that, then I think we need to contact them with an
introductory letter at least saying we'd like to work on the Human Rights Commission, but also work on um perhaps having beyond that a coalition of human rights commissions. I
see you have your hand up, Nate. Yeah, I mean we have we have the we have the list. Um we have Springfield, Sunderland, South Hadley, Pittsfield, Northampton, US. >> Um >> right, but there there are more.
>> There are more we can >> there are more and that's what I'm saying. We should try to get a >> a a more complete list if if we can. That's all. Kathy, >> I just have a quick question, Kathy, because it's such a good I should probably know this, but when does the
legislature end that we want to have the standby just so I can write that down. >> Thank you. >> The leg legislature ends at the end of this year. >> Oh, not the fiscal year. The year year. >> It's it's the year year. Yeah. >> Okay. I wasn't sure. So, that's why I
wanted to ask because sometimes it's a fiscal year like, you know, >> whatever. I'm not into taxing or anything. Okay. >> And um so I think this is something um I
love volunteering people. I think this is something that Linda, myself, and Nate need to get that initial list together and a letter together and then we'll come back here
and to to the whole group and and see what the further steps beyond that are. >> Sounds good. >> Yeah. And if it looks like I'm rushing through that part, I am because we have Daniel
here and the whole the next thing I think is going to take some time. Um, and I want to utilize the majority of our time we can for while he's here. Um,
is there are there any other things that Linda, I know you just heard got here uh at the end of this, but we're trying to figure out to get a full list of human rights commissions. What seems to be getting in the way of finding that out?
Just time? No, a whole lot of there are a bunch in the eastern part of the state. In the western part of the state, there aren't there just aren't very many. Um, and for Springfield, um,
the person, it's not actually a, you know, the the charter will say that, you know, they can have a human rights commission. It doesn't necessarily mean there's one exists, >> right? Um in Springfield there seems to be activity with um in their um HR kind
of area >> currently active. >> So do you think you have the full list of >> for all the towns? >> Yeah, pretty much. >> Okay. I misunderstood. >> Interesting.
Um and uh and there's just there's not a whole lot happening. >> So for instance, >> so it was there was like there was nothing in between us and Pittsfield, >> right?
>> Not even like in Williamsburg or anything. I'm just none of those towns have >> in Sunderland. >> Oh, right. is not even really a sort of it's not a town official. Um you know they it's a Facebook group they meet um
on Sundays they haven't had a meeting in a while. I was connect you know I connected with that person >> um you know and the others that I did have information for you know with a with a link or phone number or name are in that are in that small spreadsheet.
you start heading to the eastern part of the state, there are far there are a whole lot more. Um, but this was going to be for Western Mass. And so that's what I >> that's what I but if you want it expanded to include all of Massachusetts,
um, I can certainly work on that. >> That's people's thoughts. >> I think that would be um counterproductive. Agree. >> That's just my opinion. Um I my our I thought our original plan
was not to go to Eastern Mass. I thought >> Right. So if we're not going to Eastern Mass. So and we're we're going to stay in our local area. And if our local area has five to six, that's totally fine. Um as long as they have a chair and vice
chair, that's totally fine. And if even if they don't even if they're not a town or city government commission, they can still meet with us and they can also pass something on their town as well and or fight for their town, you know, their select board,
>> right? They still come to the conference. >> Right. Right. So that >> the one in I left the one in Sunderland. She said she was going to get back to me um because my other piece was how do you feel about one of our members
attending a meeting and not so much in you know to just kind of get a feel for what it is you do? Um and uh and she was going to get back to me. So I figured when I get back from you know from my trip I'll reach out again. Um but she was also going to wait until they had a
meeting in order to propose the question, you know, and things just move um slowly. >> Yeah. And >> and I just want to give some context to this. It's just that the human three
places came the human rights commission were the places that it came out of uh for uh singlepayer healthcare and that was without any of them knowing about the others. We were one, Pittsfield was
another and Northampton was another. And so the reason we were doing this is we think there's lots of things that we could do besides singlepayer healthcare if you start to look work with one another. But um there's
um so this is just one way of getting at um towns to have to think about singlepayer healthcare because once you have a human rights commission as with us, it's a working group in the town already
who hopefully has a relationship with their select board or their city council And that's what makes it so effective. On the other hand, I was at a meeting of FCCPR
uh last month and they had one of the things brought up was singlepayer healthcare and they gave a little presentation on it and uh that has people from many of the towns in Franklin County and even one or two that
are not in Franklin County. And there were 11 towns that volunteered 11 people who said, "I'm going to work in my town to do this." And um
the people from um Mass Haires um David Con um and company are actually going to call them together to do a similar thing that we would want to do with human rights commissions. So if
there's only five, it's not just, oh, we have no way of getting to the other towns. It's just not through the human rights commissions. You need a person in town who will take it on. Um, let's move
if we anything else about this Paky, I'm sorry, you have your hand up. It's just a procedural question and it's u why not write to every every human rights commission on the east you know across the commonwealth what what do we lose
because eventually we want them all anyway >> it is a huge undertaking >> right and we also agreed in the beginning of the year >> really big undertaking of >> that's a lot because that's a lot
>> yeah and we als we also agreed that we would doing work in our local area. And I think to be honest with you, I think seven is plenty for right now. If we want to expand, we can, but I think seven right now is plenty. Um, I mean,
half of these folks already passed. Um, you know, the eastern side can worry about the eastern side. We'll worry about our side. if they want, we can work together from the eastern side, but for right now, I think we should just worry about that seven cuz that's like
like Kathleen said, that's a lot. That's a lot of commissions to email and do. >> I think as a commission for our size and again, this is just my thought process. We have this is a great great project, but we have other things that we have to
do. It's a volunteer organization. There's only a few of us. That's a humongous undertaking and logistically a lot. I feel like they have their thing going. Maybe a year or two from now once
this is going to be cemented then maybe we meet in the middle and talk to someone who's in charge or whatever and we could all kind of blend together. But I think for now to start this is big enough. But I mean that's just my opinion. >> Thanks. I just wanted that I just wanted
that clarification. We I we don't need to belabor this. Thanks. >> Well, and I think it's I think at some point even a letter even a note to each of the chairs of whomever that says just so you know we exist.
Okay, that's you know in in some ways that's you know that that can be that can be enough. If you're doing XYZ just by the way we exist. This is what this is what we work on and this is what we're working on.
I mean it's the state in Worcester. >> So um you know which which in itself was expanded from 128. So it's kind of an interesting dynamic. um >> to follow up is I think it's also always useful
>> to see what a meeting of the seven we could get them together because just we're not being like oh we know everything it's just the opposite what do each of us do in this particular case we're looking at at singlepayer
healthcare but what do each of us do and what can we learn from one another so we all become um more useful. I really would love to know what Northampton does and Pittsfield does in their human rights commission and how it works.
>> And so the reaching so my piece in reaching out had to do with we'd and the conversation I had in Sunderland is was we just would like to know what you do. It was as simple as that. you know, it would be nice if one of our members
attended one of your meetings um so that we can, you know, we can let you know what we're doing and you can let us know what are period. I mean, for starters and that was the and that was the reaching that was the reach out piece. >> Um >> Okay. And before the next meeting,
Linda, you I and Nate should unless somebody else wants to also be part of that. Um, and I will walk off of it. Then you can't meet with more than three of us uh outside of here. Um, you can't have a call.
>> So, >> and um the um to to uh know what we're going to say to follow up on where Linda started.
Can we now move on to item two? That >> works. Okay. >> Linda, are you speaking from the last meeting or do we still need to do >> we voted on those and they've passed? >> Yes.
I needed to know if before I came >> Yes, it was before you came on. can't hear >> because Nate came in and we didn't expect >> I can't hear you. >> Sorry.
>> Okay. Um, so I if I think everybody at this point knows Daniel and everybody who's a member has received a copy of the what's called an onboarding packet
which um is absolutely u terrific that the two new members will be to able to try it out. This is a document and Daniel will tell us much more about it that was put together in
2021 uh as a way of having people coming on the commission to know what it's about. So Daniel, you want to talk about it? I hope people
>> did what we requested and highlighted areas where you have questions or you think there need not you. >> Yeah. Right. >> Members of the board where um there you think things should be changed or needed
um you had questions about because my questions are bigger questions more than the procedural ones here. So, why don't you tell us a little bit about it? >> Well, first, thanks for inviting me to come uh to your meeting. I don't know
the folks on either side of me, but I'd like to know who you are, so >> Sure. >> Can you sing? >> Uh, I'm Daniel. I'm Angela Campbell. >> I work at GCC. >> I think I saw you a couple weeks ago and that there. Yeah. >> Okay. >> And, um, I've been attending some of the
meetings and, uh, look forward to seeing what the outcome of the 25th will be, but I'd like to, you know, participate on the HRC. >> Great. >> Hey, I'm Pia. I work at the Massachusetts Woodlands Institute, a subsidiary of the Franklin Land Trust.
Okay. >> Um, I've been coming to meetings for four months now. >> Yes. >> Yeah. So, I'm looking forward to joining the uh commission. Unfortunately, I don't think I received that packet.
>> Yeah. You have not. >> Oh, you have not yet, right? Not yet. >> You have not yet. And actually, it's going to be interesting because if we can modify it a little bit, >> we will literally give it to you as >> does this kind of work. Is there things
you need to know beyond this? So, >> as a gift, >> yeah, like a free gift. >> So, just by way of context, I know that those on the commission know this, but for the two of you, I was the previous chair. one of the previous chairs of the
commission going back a few years. And so uh from 19 2019 to 2022. And so um during that time which was under the previous mayor uh Roxan Whitardner
uh we noticed that there was a lot of changing of personnel on this commission and that people were coming in really not clued in with the work and the procedures and open meeting law and all
these other things. And so I had the idea that wouldn't it be great if we developed a booklet an onboarding uh packet which is what has been distributed to the current uh members uh knowing that it needs it and you know it
it needs change. I mean this was going back almost well four four plus years now uh in the fall of 2021. And the idea was, as you said, Paul, um it was really to to be an orientation booklet um for new members coming in to the
commission uh because it would expedite the their understanding of how this commission functions. Each commission has its own way of functioning and so on. Although there were clearly uh state laws that we all operate under,
but the idea was just to make it as easy and transparent as possible for all uh members of the commission to get on and get in and get going. And so that's what we did. We went through I think maybe eight or nine drafts over a period of
four or five months. Um, no other commission at that time, and I don't know if this is the case now or not, had ever done anything like this. So, we were pretty much on our own. Uh, the mayor's office uh wasn't able to offer
any input uh in terms of how we should lay this out or what needed to be included. So, we were kind of operating just to the best of our abilities without a whole lot of knowledge. And there weren't a lot of other HRC's
statewide then as there are now. So we we undertook you know whatever research we could and the draft that we put together which I think is the one I sent to a few of you anyway >> uh is as far as we got and knowing that
this is a living document and so >> with that in mind it's not a question of approval or permission. It's a it's a blessing to say have at it and work on it and bring it forward. One example of of an obvious change is uh the number of
members on the commission. Uh and my understanding is that you're now set or in the process of setting yourselves to seventh. >> We've already done that official. >> So that's good. So that's a change from what we had because I think at the time it was nine. I think it was
>> which was an impossibility. uh and I remember as a chair what you all went through this this evening >> we had several meetings where we had to cancel right due to lack of forum so this is a necessitated it's a practical uh practicality
>> to say bring it down to seven you need four you should be able to get four uh maybe everyone will show up but we had a number of times with nine where we just couldn't get what we needed so a lot of our work was just aborted um and and slow down.
>> Plus, you were in the pandemic that didn't help. >> It was in the pandemic. I mean, but >> we used to meet at the John Center. I mean, there've been a lot of a lot of changes. Um there are some things in here that won't change, you know, like Robert's rules of order and things like
that. Um but anything in here is open to whatever you all want to do with it. and and that means expand, contract, amend, whatever it is. Uh, and so I'm just here tonight basically to to drop in to
respond to questions or concerns or whatever. Um, I'll give the best I can of history beyond what I've already said. And that's kind of what brings me to you all tonight. So I have
>> Mhm. >> everything you know um >> the beginning of it is is um pretty much is either Robert's rules of order or out
of the the policy the 136.1 policy that the whole commission came out of in the city. >> Right. The the part that I love seeing here, and we have never had an opportunity
to use it, is the procedure for HRC investigations. Is that something that your committee made up? And is that something that
in your understanding needs um to be um okayed by somebody? >> It's one of those it's a it's a good question, Paul. Uh the mayor's office was unclear at the time. The city
council was unclear at the time. >> Okay. >> Uh good to know. >> Yeah. And we were just >> unclear. We were trying to doers uh and saying we should have a process for investigating issues that come to us. We didn't before we created this.
And so this came out of lots of discussions. Um I I had sidebar conversations with city councilors one-on-one. I don't know that anyone is on the council now who was on it back then. There might be a couple, but at any point we we just tried to bullet
through I don't really like the terminology, but to list through the way a a process would happen. And it was not clear at that time that either the mayor's office or the
city council had ultimate responsibility to approve this because it was an internal working document just for the commission itself. Uh, and the goal was just to make it as clear to the
commission as possible how it would do its work. And the whole point here with two new oncoming members, it's a perfect opportunity to to get as much clarity and amplification as possible. And this
that one investigation piece uh really would help. And I I do understand that it fell out of touch after I left commission at the end of 2022. Um there have been now two more chairs
beyond the two of you co-chairing uh during that time. So it's gone through a lot of change, a lot of um movement forward. >> Right. The document hasn't because people didn't know what >> the document hasn't been touched. >> We only we had one complaint. I was
here. Yeah, >> I was appointed I want to say September of 2023. So, it hasn't quite been, you know, 3 years, but and we have had one complaint in the time. Nate, were you on the commission when we had the
complaint? I don't think so. >> No, I was voted in like >> I think I'm the only person left. I'm not. So, we had a complaint and the chair at the time was Empress and I don't know where she got it from because
it turned into kind of a um trying to think of the right word. It was um a lot and we didn't make mistakes against the person like people gave him personal information which turned out to be a mistake because then he became you
know aggressive um you know the person who made the complaint but that's not but she had some piece of paper because I remember seeing it people Linda's says she apologizes but whatever. So my point is she had some piece of paper I don't know
where she got it from that we cuz you know it was a complaint and then there was someone in the public who wanted to complain more and it involved cso and blah blah blah blah and I don't know where she got the piece of paper but she had a piece of paper about the process. >> I don't know where it came from. It
could have been this. I'm just saying because it was a >> contentious would be the word you know. Well complaint's always going to be contentious right? No one's complaining because they're happy. Mhm. >> Right. Not a happy complaint. >> No, that's the definition. >> Right. Well, so anyway, I don't know.
>> At the time I was onboarding Empress. She was right. So, Right. >> And she was one of the first people we gave us, right? I'm just saying there was something, >> but there's been nothing done. You're right, Paul. There's been nothing done with this in in since that, >> right? I have never seen it.
>> And I think all of the members until I passed this by you all had never seen this. No, that's I'm saying I've never seen. >> Right. So, the but the practice was supposed to be that any new member coming on would get this as soon as they
were elected and apparently because none of you had received it. No, folks up there, uh, Linda and PY hadn't gotten it. >> That fell off. And I don't know how or why, but you all have the power now to bring that back together. >> Nate, that's your decision,
>> right? Uh, thank you Daniel for being here. Um, what was I what was I reading? Uh, I after reading all this, I really don't think that we really need to change anything for the HRC investigations. Um,
and I think I'm going to talk a little bit later about the form because I'm kind of upset about the form because there's stuff that should be updated on there, but I'm going to talk about it later. But um but I think that on the paper um on the paper and I mean it
doesn't I don't know I don't think we have to put the link on the paper but at least having it um maybe having like a like the doc be attached to the packet um so having the form be attached to the packet like um we can have a separate
page for called resources and that separate page can be with the document of what the complaint form in the packet if that makes sense. So you have you have the packet of all the stuff >> and then at the end you'll have
resources whatever blah blah and then you'll have the form attached to it so that >> um when these the two new members come in they have um all the procedures and then they have the form to look at to
say okay I know what the form looks like I know okay these are the instructions of where to follow where to find it and that's something else I want to talk about later cuz um me and Paul kind of had this discussion. But um yeah, but I like I said, I think that if we can
print it out once it's updated, we can print it out and attach it to the packet at the end and say HRC complaint form resource. This is how you can find it or you have a paper copy with your packet. If that makes it easy,
>> Paul, no not me. Yeah, just a a quick point to to what you're saying, Nate. The idea that we had at the time is that it would it would appear both uh in print and electronically. So for folks who don't have computers and so on, they could still have a copy of the complaint
form and fill it out by hand rather than online is an option. >> We we and it's still true. Yeah. Okay. >> Kathy. >> Oh, okay. Oh, so what I'm saying is I think this is great. the um booklet, but
and I mean I could be totally not thinking in the process here, but I think it's two different things. So, you have the booklet, which is for commissioners. Obviously, we should know what the form looks like, but I don't know that a complaint form and a booklet
for ongoing commissioners. Absolutely. I don't see it on here, go together like the forms on the city website for the public to make a complaint. I thought this was a booklet for us so we know how to be a commissioner. I get that making a complaint, but we're not making a
complaint. It's just for information, but you need to see, >> right? But it's on the city website, >> right? But I had to go look for that versus it would have been nice if somebody had handed me >> to say it's two different entities and it I feel like it's you could put it in
the booklet, but I don't want it to be and maybe it's just me the way I see things to be confused as part of the welcome wagon, you know, being on the commission. Oh, here's the complaint. It's the same thing that I had to go find all the stuff on 1361 myself
>> instead of that being handed to me >> and it just make sample on it. So, >> okay. Right. I just don't want Right. Thank you. I would like that because I just think that's kind of >> opening a can of worms that you never know who's going to get that form. Like,
so it I think it should say sample on it. Like when you're doing a direct deposit check and it's in your package when you go to sign up for work and it says sample. >> Yeah, I do that. >> Okay. I love that would be my um advice. >> I I was just simply going to say the
only part of this that I saw no need for changers >> um was the HRC investigations part. The same thing that Nate said. I I thought this was really this is my opinion here. I thought it was really well done and
well thought out and I tried to find holes in it. >> I really did and and I couldn't find holes in it. um you know um and I hope if other people don't one of the issues I had I
highlighted things that are issues and Nate and I have spoken about actually the whole commission has spoken about this before is that that form doesn't come to us it goes to the mayor's office
and so if something's going to have to happen within 5 days. It has to come directly to us the same time it comes to the mayor's office. >> I think that's part of the process. I don't think we can change that. I think we spoke to that. Correct me if I'm
wrong before, but that's the and I thought the mayor was clear about it unless I'm remembering wrong, but that's how the line of communication works. So, they'd have to change something about the commission like it is a commission through the city, through the mayor.
We're here to serve on it, but we are not the city. Do you know what I mean? >> Oh, no. We're not the the city, but if we're going to have time limits on things is all I'm saying, then we need to be able to
um access those things in a timely manner. So, >> Daniel, did you guys make Daniel, did you guys make the form? >> I think we created it. Yeah, it's not I don't have it. I don't know. No, it's up. It's on the website. It's
>> Yeah, >> it's okay. I'm looking at it right now. But what I'm saying is if you guys created it, then it should be coming to the commission because the commission was the one who made it. >> I think you guys are lost.
>> Am I Am I correct? >> Well, apparently it's not clear. Uh I agree though with Paul and I don't know if you're suggesting that as well that for a complaint to get move through this process in a reasonable amount of time. I mean we remember when someone is
filing a formal complaint there's upset and there's a motion and there's a lot of other things going on. It it would be ideal if we if a response could be made within these five business days in order for that to happen. I agree that it should be coming to the commission as
well because the commission is empowered to act on that. Uh you know not the mayor right >> and the mayor isn't going to be able to do anything within 5 days and in actuality >> and and this is worth a discussion with the mayor's office.
>> This is nothing to do with the mayor who was there when you were mayor. This is nothing to do with the current mayor. Correct. >> But the mayor's office should not be receiving it and deciding is this something worth dealing with or do we
hold on to it for a while or whichever else because the complaint could be about the mayor's office. >> The complaint could be about the police commissioner. >> So, can I just please, you know, etc., etc. And I think it should go to both.
>> Okay. I do need to correct that though because this was a cause of a lot of consternation. >> If a complaint is lodged against city personnel, it cannot come to the commission. >> Right. >> It has to go to HR. >> That's what I mean.
>> And and we are expressly not allowed to act on that. Now, this was I will say this was a bone of contention because then you only have the people on the inside to take action. And let's
just say that that's a slightly biased process or at least potentially. I argued with the former mayor that that's not due process. I lost. Uh but but nevertheless any other complaint I would
say should come to both parties with the express agreement from the mayor's office that once a complaint is reaches the commission the commission has the right to do what it feels best in terms of laying out a path of action. So, I
think for we could all talk all day about this and all agree that that's a great process, but in my opinion, again, I think we would have to table the discussion to get clarity from the mayor to see what side of the fence we're on because this could do you know what I mean? Because I could be totally wrong,
but I believe there was something in the process that that's why it had that line of communication, you know, that it had to go there first. You don't remember that? >> I I I do. I'm not trying to put you >> I I remember some discussion about that.
>> Oh, here's >> but not that directly. >> I don't think we lose anything by going to the mayor's office and getting that all clarified. And once we have the clarification, it can go in the manual so that this discussion doesn't have to be had again. >> Right. And I agree with that. That I mean I think we just need to clarify it.
>> So So let me and this is just asking your understanding of it that this is the official one. >> Mhm. So if a parent had a problem with the way their child was dealt with in the school, we cannot deal with that.
>> Say more about why you feel that you're that's >> because it's about a school employee. >> That so that's this is something that needs to get hashed out further like >> so who do we deal with other than
somebody who's renting an apartment, >> right? >> Well, we had a homeless person we dealt with. they were homeless at the CSA, >> right? But then the question is, is it any city employee? Is it only empowered authority employees? You know, where does it not get where where can
complaints come to the commission about whom other than an ordinary citizen, right? So, my understanding is it had to do not with people who are or um I don't know if they're exempt or non-exempt,
but we were thinking more like the police commissioner and the fire commissioner and those folks, not not the everyday workers in the city. >> That was my understanding. >> We never got to test it. Never got to test No, because I I we are
we hate saying this out loud, but you know, in in private people have had many complaints over the years about children in the schools being treated differently because of economic
situation, because of ethnicity, because of race, etc., etc. Mhm. And but they're not. We just wish somebody in the past we've said we wish somebody would put in a complaint so that we
could officially work with the schools >> right >> on getting this fixed and if what you're saying is if this is about a city employee and the people who
work for the city are city employee you know teachers or or principles or assistant principles these are city employees then we're not allowed to deal with it. >> The question is at what level? >> What level of city employee? I think
that's where you need clarification. >> So I think what would be prudent and I don't know if this is something we could do is to email the mayor's office and list our um questions so that at the next meeting they could be prepared to answer them. I think waiting for the
next meeting and putting them on the spot they might not have all the answers. So to me that would be like a prudent solution. >> That sounds great. >> I think you >> great. >> Okay. >> Cuz we really can't move forward without knowing all the answers to this. >> And also and I I don't know if the mayor's on or
>> No, she's not. She just texted me too because >> I don't even know if this mayor has seen this packet. >> I don't either. That's what I mean. So there >> I don't know. You all have. send it to >> but outside of that I would not assume that we wanted to have a discussion
before we even ran it past. >> Yeah. No, that's right. But I think the next step as is being suggested is get a copy of this to the mayor. Uh because I would not make the assumption that Roxan has passed it on to Jenny, >> right?
>> But but you all should and then you can have her come in >> get some clarification. Um, we did have to run this by I think we did run it by legal counsel at some point. >> Uh, I think we had to. >> And was that Donna? >> I can't remember who that was.
>> Well, because she's the person who's the legal um Keller. That's not her name. That was her married name. Mlelen, whatever. M. Anyway, it's in the big packet. She's been her for a while. At any rate, it might need to go that
for some spring cleaning or whatnot because the state laws have changed as well. >> Uh, right. So, I just think to make this as clean as possible. >> And then the next piece to consider just to throw this out there is how do you educate the community that this is that this exists? >> Oh, well that that's that's a whole
another >> we've been on that discussion for two years now. Maybe >> I want to leave that out. the um I'm just looking at the time. >> Oh yeah. >> And are there other specific things that people want to talk about on this
packet? >> No, I think it's great aside from policy and procedures. >> No, I think I think I think for I think for our next meeting we need to have a more lengthier conversation about this. Um and Daniel, you are always welcome to come if if if necessary. We're going to
meet March 9th, same time, 6:00 to 7:30. >> And hopefully you folks will you'll have two movies with you. >> And then the other two are going to be members. Sorry. >> The um is that all you needed me for
tonight? Yes. I don't want to stop. >> Thank you, Daniel. >> You're welcome. Good to see you guys up there. And uh if you do need me to come back on the 9th at the mayor's here, I can certainly look into that. >> Right. >> Okay. Um >> are you going to soup night
>> next week? >> I did want to leave. Okay. A copy of this. You know about this. What else >> people should know about these trainings? >> Send that to everybody on the commission. We sent >> Did you send this also? >> We sent
home. Do you have know about it? Yeah, we sent it. Okay, good. Great. >> Oh, great. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Daniel. To see some of you there. >> The >> Thank you, Nate. Thank you, Py.
>> Um, so an unhoused committee meeting update. Either Nate or Paky. Is there one? I have nothing. >> No, I have nothing. >> I didn't know that they had a meeting. Remember there was there was like
question on their next meeting. I don't even know that they met between then. >> Yeah. Well, Nate met with them the last if you look at the minutes from the last but I mean since then I have not heard about one either. >> I don't think they had one is what I'm
saying. the past month since last week. >> Um, and so we're up to the HRC complaint form, Nate. >> All right. Perfect. >> Why don't you Why don't you take charge of this? >> Yeah. Um, Jonathan, are you still here?
>> I don't think he is cuz he's on red. >> No, he's there. >> I'm here. What's up? >> Oh, okay. >> Okay. So, um, so I go on our human rights commission pl form and it still has Roxan Gardner's
name on it. It should have, uh, Jenny's name on it. I've been saying that for the past few months and obviously has not gotten in gotten there. Um, so I'm just letting being aware that it should have her name on there and it needs to be updated to the public. um because
that's um important um cuz she's not the mayor right now. Um and it should if there's a new mayor every four years that also needs to be updated because that's a form that is going to be in the archives and we need to make sure that it's updated consistently.
Um so that's really also it's one thing too about it. Um if I'm I'm looking at it right now uh It really is just the um the mayor the mayor switch. And then
also too is like um we want the HRC complaint form to be on our website underneath our name. And we also I think we me and Paul have really been talking about is our minutes on there too. We mentioned, excuse me, we mentioned to
Aaron in our December meeting or I think I is there a December I don't even know if it was our December or November meeting that we wanted our minutes to be posted on the website cuz she said that we that can happen. And we also want the
complaint form to be put on there because it's kind of hard to find. Um but we can't put it on there if it has the old mayor's name cuz that's just I think kind of unacceptable. Um, so I would like for those to be done before
our next meeting, which is m March 9th. Um, because I want to make sure that we come to the March 9th meeting with a fresh new copy with the current mayor's name on it. Um, and whatever else needs to be switched on it. It really doesn't really need to be switched on. It is
just a name. and getting an update from the mayor's office about if we can put our minute meetings on our website and have this also be attached to our website underneath our chapter. Um because if you go on our website um our
chapter is underneath there on top of what else we do or whatever. Um and so on and so forth. So um yeah, that's really all. I don't I don't think I miss anything. Paul. >> Um I know other I don't know if other
commissions do, but I know other city um bodies also have a link to the recording of the meetings. Is that possible for us as well?
So it is possible. Um we do not as a matter of course post recordings of uh of meetings on the website mostly just because you know we have 30 plus public bodies in the city and so it becomes a major uh piece of
work for staff to post all those recordings. >> They do get posted on um on GCTV so that's sort of the >> the best place to find those. Um as far as the But I I I'm sorry for interrupting.
Therefore, we could have a link to the GCTV site and say look them up so that people who want them know where to go. >> I think >> I'm just saying is that possible? >> Yep. We can add that to the page.
>> That's good. >> Yeah. Um as far as the minutes, Aaron is your staff person. I'm just filling in tonight. So, I would encourage you to talk with her about that. Um, since I'm here, I can take care of that form for you. Um, but you know, the the minutes
are kind of an ongoing task. So, I don't want to commit to doing that since she's your staff person. >> I can reach out to her if you want. >> Okay. Well, I'll be my Mary Sunshine self and reach out again. I think we're better to get more honey. I mean, more
things with honey than the vinegar. Um, okay. >> I'm happy to do that. I'll get her this week. I'll bring the baby. That's always a big >> Anything else on the complaint form? >> Just Just to clarify, so you would like
the complaint form uh right on the Human Rights Commission page after the what we do bullets section. Is that right? Where exactly do you want it? So when you go on the Hold up one second so I can look
at it. So when you go on the commission page, it should probably be underneath the writing of what the chapter is and what we do. There should be um a bullet point with a link to the form when the form is
complete or um updated. >> Sure. Yeah. I mean, there's a bullet that says investigate, mediate, and respond and report to the community on allegations of human rights violations. Do you want me to just add it to that bullet? >> Yes. Yeah, that's that's fine. >> Okay, sounds good.
>> Thank you. >> Thanks, Jonathan. >> Item five, update of the city hall plaque. I think we had a little discussion of this before Nate before you got here that we're we're still seeking out
somebody who can do the engraving and we will bring the pieces of brass to them once we do. I know I have a request out to somebody. Anybody who could ask I mean I know it
sounds strange but ask around GCC they must get something engraved by somebody for trophies or whatever. >> I know the only place that was that place in West Yeah. and I'll ask can but
>> I mean this is insane. I mean, it it goes back to my growing up in a city, but in New York City, there must be 150 places that do this. >> So, the fact that we can't find one in the valley is crazy.
>> Well, I think what happened here from I called around a couple of months ago is, interestingly enough, everybody does it on does things online. So, a lot of small businesses in a small area like this just don't do it anymore. cuz that's what I ran into from talking to
this one and talking to that one. I was like, "Oh, and remember even that place in the mall, it was called Remember Me or something like that. They did like jewelry boxes and you can get your if you were having a first baptism or something, they'd engrave on something that places, you know, they're just not
there anymore. It's very interesting the change. Yeah. >> Aquarius clothes down yet to >> I think so, but they didn't do that. And it used to be you could go to the jewelry store. We were talking about that because I used to have the you know ID whatever was called bracelet when I
was in middle school and you had your name on your bracelet and you went to the jewelry store and they did it and that's not happening either. I had to go all the way to Florence to look to get my ring fixed and I even asked her. >> Yeah. >> Doesn't do it there either. >> And they don't do it on the odd jewelry
store on Bank Row either. >> Nope. >> Nope. I've I'm telling you it's been >> Yeah. I would I would definitely ask Jim. He might know somebody. It's been a >> just >> interesting thing. >> Once we find it, then we have it.
>> Exciting. >> Um I don't think there are updates from subcommittees because at this point the subcommittees are the u one that was working with the singlepayer healthcare. I think that's
the only active one right now. Um, unless somebody can correct me. So, you just had two announcements, Nate, about events that you were suggesting >> that we were suggesting to go. Um, there's one February 20th, 4:30 to 6:30
p.m. at GCC that Dr. Campbell is putting on. um influence of negro spirituals of African-American community au of American music uh celebration. Um and
it's from 4:30 to 6:30 February 20th. The Greenfield >> um the Greenfield High School Library Club and the president as the president of the students of color will be hosting a book of book to movie of hidden
figures on February 27th. doors open at 5:30 p.m. So you can have a copy of the book to movie um of the book and the movie >> um and I and Dr. Campbell will be one of
our keynote speakers that day as well. So we are very very excited um to include Black History Month. As we know, it's 100 years of black history this month. Um, and all year. Um, and so
these two events are free and welcome to all community members. Um, so yeah, that's why I put them on there for people if they would like to go. Um, yeah. And I forgot to put the date for the first one, but it's February 20th.
>> And then 227th, which is February. And then February 27th, it's a Friday, 5:30, doors open for popcorn. >> Oh, and it's right in the ghs library, did you say? >> Nope. It's at It's right at the ghs auditorium when you come in from the
back. >> Yep. Near the gym. Um, >> right. I know. I got a flyer on black history at GCC, so I have that in my thing, but I didn't get the book. Okay. Auditorium. Fun. Maybe I could bring some kids.
Yeah, bring your kids, bring your family and friends. It's going to be a great event for both of them. So, >> oh, also I also forgot. Um, February 28th, there's a reading of Frederick Douglas at the Lava Center, I think. >> Um, I forgot to put it in there. I'm
going to be speaking amongst um Nina, I think her name is Nina Long and Mildren something. I forgot their names, but I'm going to be speaking there on the 28th. Um, I can send details out in a separate
email to everybody. Um, and I and also too for the um for Pia and uh Dr. Campbell, I I call you Dr. Campbell because I feel more respectful if I call you that. Um, cuz that's just how I am. Um, but um I have your email, but Pia,
can you text me your email because I want to start having you on the email chain for all of us and especially you're going to be voted in on the 25th. So, we got to make sure you send in all your stuff um from there. And I have Dr. Campbell's email that I can just attach
to the HRC um that I can just use from there. Um but yeah, I'm going to be there on the 25th to root you guys on um if they need somebody to say anything, but I don't think nobody will say anything. So, >> Oh, at the city council. >> Yeah, I might show up.
>> Yeah, usually it goes right through, but that's nice of you. Yeah. >> What time is the lava event? Oh, >> I I don't know. I I don't know yet. I will send out an email to everybody once done that once that finalized. >> Okay, >> cool.
>> Be on their website. >> What was that? >> Of the Lava Center. >> Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. >> Oh, it'll be on Lava's website. >> Yes, that too. Yeah. >> And that's a Saturday. >> Yes, it's a Saturday. >> Cool.
Thank you. and be and I just want to remind people we didn't have it on this um meeting list but we will be going back and trying to um work with the current
u administration and this school committee and PTA people etc still about this bullying and racism issue in schools just to as we work towards having a new superintendent
um in June or July. It um it would be great to have the current superintendent, interim superintendent, >> letting her know this is coming down
the way. I mean, um it's going to be interesting. Nate, do you know if a complaint has come in yet? >> No, >> I am I am not sure, but I will check in
with that person to see if any updates have happened. Um, but we did, but I did give somebody a complaint form. Not sure if they're going to fill it out or send it in. Um, I'm not going to go further into detail. That will be something when we all get the complaint.
>> Absolutely. But um but just do expect that there possibly may be a complaint form coming in possibly within a month um that we might have to look into. >> Um and also to Yeah. >> Okay. >> Go ahead.
That's all. Um >> so >> so if if if anybody else has anything else they want to make an announcement about or remind us about. So just to speak to a complaint form as the mayor you know did speak to it in the last meeting because you know we're not any
of us are familiar if someone asks you for a form um you are able to give it to them you are not able to make any kind of comments when you give that form to that person or help that person fill out that form.
So who that would be considered a um conflict. That is up to them cuz then that's almost inviting a complaint. I'm not it's not my opinion. It's not anything about anything. It's just >> No, I meant if the person has like
dyslexia or >> they find someone else to help them. It's not you. >> I I didn't say it was >> Oh, no. I'm not trying to be Is there any anywhere I could direct them to for >> an advocate, a friend? I would send them to the library, >> right? I would. Yeah, I would. You know,
if they were a school person, I guidance reference librarians would be h happy to help them. >> You know, all kinds of people. My granddaughter could help you. I could not just to be very clear and especially when working with a school, the school
committee, the teachers, the students, we cannot be on the side of >> any >> any of that. but especially that of imposing to file a complaint, you have to be very
careful. And I'm not suggesting that any of that has happened. I'm just making it clear so we all know the policy procedure. >> I mean I know I'm not saying that at all. I'm just saying cuz it gets a little
convoluted like you know at least I think you know so just to be clear cuz someone did have that conversation with me. >> Mhm. >> And on the other hand you can tell them the form exists. >> Oh absolutely and you can you know and
it's on the website but that's that. >> Okay. >> Okay. the farmers, >> you know, if someone asks you and you know, >> um, >> and I think if you have to get a paper copy, you can come here and get one from the office. Yeah. >> Yeah. You can come right to city hall cuz that's how it used to be done, you
know, back back in the day. So, cuz I actually worked with the woman years ago, Diane Sergeant, who created this, and that was in 1999, I want to say. I could be off by a year, but you know, before it was online and people
had a form. That was the beginning and end of that. >> Any announcements, questions? Then I'm looking for a motion to adjurnn anyone. I move I move
>> a second. And I know literally we still have to do this though. A has to be a roll call. All the Nate. >> Yes. >> You in favor? >> Hockey? >> Yes. >> Kathine?
>> Mhm. >> And Paul? Yes. So, the meeting is adjourned >> at 7:28 p.m. >> Thank you one and all. >> Bye everybody. >> Bye. >> Nice to see everybody. Bye. >> Have a good night, folks.
>> Thank you for coming, Nate.