All right. Well, we'll go ahead and get started. It is uh 5 o'clock and um can we get a roll call? >> Evette Ellis, >> present. >> Anna Rajes >> here. Samai,
Jennifer Cannon >> here, >> Jennifer Randa, Trenton Garretts, and Sebastian McDougall >> here. >> All right. So, I'll go ahead with the land acknowledgement. Um, we the Morehead Human Rights Commission
collectively and with gratitude acknowledge the sacred land the city of Morehead is built upon. We acknowledge the people who have resided here for generations and recognize that the spirit of the Dakota Ojiway Matees and
indigenous communities permeates this land. The con the contribution of the indigenous people shall not be forgotten. Nor will the success that is achieved by the people of the land. We will continue to educate, advocate,
honor, and unite for indigenous people of this land. So, our first item is our approval of the minutes. So, we have our February 18, 2026 meeting minutes. Can I get a motion for that? >> All motion. I'll second.
>> All in favor? >> I I >> Okay, moving right along. We have a guest speaker here today with us. We have uh Katherine is that Chilton Winer Warner Chil. Okay. So we have Katherine
Chilton Warner uh co-president and Mary >> Standi >> Standy Miller co-president of Altrusa Altrusa International Club of Fargo. >> All right. So thank you so much. You have the floor. Thank you very much for
having us tonight to expose you to what Altrusa is and the things we do for our communities. >> Did you want to say anything yet? >> Just thanks for let for inviting us to be here.
>> This is our current logo of Altrusa International. So where it all began, Alrusu was established in 1917 in Nashville, Tennessee. My Albass was a founding member and it was originally designed to be a a women's service organization. At
the present time, there is no discrimination. Men and women are allowed and and our local Fargo Club does have a man as a member. The first international club was established in 1935 in Mexico. The current international level theme is
love, literacy, legacy. The president of the organization is Christine Delelager. She's from Dalb, Illinois. Um there's you can see the statistics. There's a total of 268 clubs. Total membership 6575.
I think the statistics are from maybe about a year ago. Countries represented are Puerto Rico, New Zealand, Canada, and Mexico. To get the most information about Altrusa, you can go to altrusa.org. and I have printed the international
mission statement there as well. They host an international convention every other year. The next one coming up is in Columbus, Ohio, July 21st through 24th in 2027. And I hope to be present at that.
Astra is a group from Altruusa, a branch if you will, where club sponsors young people ages 11 to 25 years of age. That was established originally in 1966. The acronym means A for ability, S for
service, T for training, R responsibility, A for achievement. the the goal I think is to encourage women and young um men and women now to take on leadership roles and feel
comfortable leading groups. Presently we are in district 7 in Fargo. We have two altra clubs. I believe one is in Green Bay and I think the other may be in Omaha. The United Nations. Since 1946, Altruusa
International has had an observer status at the United Nations. Ellen Roosevelt was a former Altusa member and she initiated Altruus's participation in the United Nations. So, just a little diversion here. Why do
individuals volunteer? Um, we did a little survey and sometimes at members we have people say why they joined Altruusa. And I think for myself it was I wanted I was young. I've been a member for 35 years I believe. And I wanted to
learn more about my community and and feel like I was making a difference. And I I joined more recently um about uh two years ago. Um, I was recently retired from a teaching job. I taught at Lake Park Ottabon Schools, but I live um
here in Fargo, Morehead. Um, and so I kind of lost touch with a lot of my my groups of friends because I, as many of you know, teachers have no life outside of school. Um, so I was looking for a group of friendly people in the FM area, but I also was
looking for a way to um do service in the community. And I wanted to the focus on literacy and education with Altrusa is near and dear to my heart. Um being that I I do have a a degree in uh
teaching degree for English. Um and the other reason was that um through my membership in the Altrusa club, I also connect to other service opportunities. And so, um, it was very easy for me to
choose to go ahead and join. Oh, >> is that advancing? >> Having a little technical difficulties. >> Oh, there we go. >> There we go. >> Now you've gone too Oh, >> went too far. I'm sorry about that.
Just a a tidbit of information. At one time there were about five or six women's service clubs in Fargo Morehead, excuse me. We would meet once a year and go over and encourage um different clubs to work together collaboratively and
also see what projects they were doing. Quota has since dissolved as of October 2024, I think nationally due to declining membership. Sir Optimus International of the Red River Valley is still going strong after 65 years.
Excuse me. And the Zanta Club of Fargo Morehead I think is also still going. You can do it. Okay. Thank you so much. Thank you. Okay. So, internationally I touched on now district we are part of district 7. The states included are
Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, upper Michigan and Wisconsin. Our total membership and this is current is 535. We do hold an annual conference and this year's is in Marshfield, Wisconsin May 1st and 2nd. We in Fargo have actually
hosted it prior and we might in the next couple years host one in Fargo or Morehead. Um, you can link to our club as well as the district at district 7.altrusa.org. And we there's also a district Facebook page. I encourage you to go there. You
can see all the various activities that these clubs participate in. The present governor is from Ames, Iowa. Next slide, please. Little diversion again. Morehead did have a club and it was pretty active but
as with many things it aged out and it disbanded in 2016. There still is a club in St. Paul and one in Duth. The next our club in Fargo was established in 1960. You can see our mission statement but and our vision
statement but basically we were um looking to enrich the lives of women and children through literacy education and leadership. Our club although we only have 12 members we actually had 233 hours of volunteerism
in last year. And now Katherine will go over some projects. >> Okay. So the tying of the blankets um that was something that had happened um was happening the very first day that
I met the women of Elus at that time. There were um our male member had not joined and it was um a really great experience um a really great way to be introduced to the group because um everybody was having a good time working
together and um it was for a good cause. um the Perry Center um we did a Christmas um a Christmas project and um provided um gifts to moms and babies and they said that that's the first time that
there's actually been gifts under the little tree that they have there. Um Matthew's Voice Project is one that's active in um the Fargo Morehead West Fargo Horus area. um they focus on um
unaccompanied homeless teens that are trying to hang on and graduate from high school. And um one of the things that we do is we have an annual backpack drive. Um the kids that um the kids that are homeless keep their lives in their
backpacks and so they need something more sturdy than they normally get through the donations. Um and so we provide sturdy backpacks. We've also worked on filling summer backpacks and that's um personal hygiene
items, um gift cards, things to help keep them going through the summer when the school isn't there to help support them. Um and um I also currently have a fundraiser running. Um yesterday was my birthday and so I have a birthday
fundraiser um going to raise money for Matthew's Voice Project. Um we also provide in uh things for the emergency food pantry. Um one year at um in the spring at our spring um meeting,
our last meeting of the year, we um did birthday bags and we provide uh cake mix and um frosting and sprinkles and different things so that um kids that may not get a birthday cake have a chance to have one.
Um, we also have provided at Christmas time personal hygiene items and cleaning supplies and we um we provided over a 100 pounds um I think it was 120 pounds of donations to that. Um and we did um
part of that in collaboration with um Town and Country Credit Union. Um, days for girls is an international pro project and girls in some places miss school monthly for lack of feminine hygiene products and so days for girls
provides products that make their education possible. It keeps them in school all all month long. Um, the solar oven project also an international project. We worked with um the Methodist church with that. Um
and women in the Dominican Republic um get lung disease from cooking over charcoal and wood fires. And so the solar ovens are are meant to help u make their lives healthier and hopefully easier. Um and um part of what we did as a as an
organization was to provide um extra materials um that were not part of the actual solar oven. We did um bags and we helped with um different
um items. We did um hot pads and um bags for them to uh keep their utensils and different things in. Um, and some of our members did go to the Dominican Republic and the um, the women are taught how to
use the oven and then for a very small fee they receive the oven when they've finished the training. Um, right now um, we're working with First Lutheran to support projects in Ecuador. Um, one of the things we're
doing is a toothbrush drive and um, I made up a little poster. Sometimes improving the health of a child is as simple as providing them a toothbrush. Um, and so we've been getting donations and um, several dentists in the Fargo Morehead area have been very generous
with their donations um, as well as things that uh, um, the toothbrushes that we're getting at the family fair stores. Um, we're also assisting the First Lutheran women. They're sewing bags to give to about 50 women in
Ecuador. And so we'll be working, there's three of us that'll be working on that this weekend. Habitat for Humanity is our ongoing projects. It's we're entering our 18th year. And um as of July 8th, 2025, there
were 61 bookcases um with books for children and adults donated to Habitat for Humanity houses at their um at their dedication ceremonies. And um April 15th, um there's another dedication. So that will be our sec
62nd. um re research shows that reading materials in the home is one of the most important factors in developing reading skills and so we are trying our best to contribute to um the education of the
students that live in those houses. Um, if you're interested in finding out more about us, um, it does have our meeting time listed, um, and it says the first
meeting of the first Thursday of the month in April. That's Monday, Thursday. So, we moved it to April 9th at 6:30. And um the reason it's 6:30 instead of 6:00 is that we are going to be volunteering at Great Plains Food Bank
until 6:00 that afternoon. Um and let's see, I think I got one more thing here. Ah um we meet at the frying the Fargo fry and pan at um normally at six o'clock and like I said, April is
different. Um the May 7th regular meeting um is at the regular time and we'll be having a speaker from Friends of Chimote Peru. I just have one last thing to add both internationally there's a foundation and our local Fargo Club has a foundation.
So we are a 501c3 um nonprofit organization and we did bring some brochures and some bookmarks. Um so those of you who would like one, please help yourself. Thank you again. Do are there any questions? >> Yes, I have like first I just want to
say happy birthday. Um but also uh just thank you so much for the work that you're doing and it sounds like you have a global reach and so we do appreciate you know this organization really talking about how you're minimizing some
of those disparities and in community by a lot of partnerships in community that we I just wasn't aware of. Um, so for individuals who are interested in becoming members, is there like are there fees involved or is it just like a
free membership or like how can people uh become more involved with the the work that you're all >> Absolutely. We will always take volunteers that and and we do have the Facebook page. So I encourage them to go to our Facebook page to check out what
we're potentially um volunteering at. Altrusa International of Fargo. As a member of Altrusa, because we are both international district and local, there is a membership fee. Presently, it's $105. Part of that is international,
part of it is for the district, and part of it is for a local club. Unfortunately, as a member, we have 12 members. Our fundraising opportunities are somewhat limited. We sell BRZ in the summer at Cashwise and Hornbachers. And so funds that we raise um are utilized
sometimes just for our our we have a storage unit that holds all our books for instance. So there yes there is a fee there. We do have what we call a sunshine or angel fund or something. If somebody really wants to be a member, we can find a way
to help cover that expense of membership. But yes, there is a there is a membership fee. >> Okay. And I'd like to put in a little plug on April 11th, we are having a membership revitalization event. Um, and
so if anybody is interested in in joining, that would be a really great way for them um to find out about us and also learn about >> shakurerie >> and that would be no cost to the participants.
uh for this I remember you were talking about the solar ovens and that for a small fee they could get one of those solar ovens. What what does that small fee like look like and is it like negotiable for them if they can't quite
cover it is it was a very small fee. Um I I honestly don't know exactly how much but it was certainly within reach of the individuals that um were getting the solar ovens. The main thing was to give
them a sense of ownership um of the ovens rather than feeling as though they were taking a handout. >> And that was managed by the church group um the Methodist church organized that. I think the the main it was spearheaded
out of a South Dakota location. So, it wasn't involved directly with our club, but we had three members that actually did go to that mission. We also encourage you if there are any international projects or any projects in town that you think might u benefit
our assistance or that we'd love to we'd love to have the opportunity to provide service to them. >> Thank you all so much for coming and speaking and uh providing us more information about your organization. Um
do you all have any other questions? All right. Well, thank you so much. >> Thank you very much for having us. >> Thank you. >> All right. So, uh, moving along. Uh, do we have any community partners? Seeing none,
uh, citizens to be heard. No citizens. Um, so our regular uh our regular business uh we talked about uh last at our last month meeting our 2026 work plan and um was just kind of looking through what that looked like
and uh just kind of coming up with like more of a suggestion for us to kind of maybe discuss is uh looking at possibly hosting in June a work like a working session for all of us to kind of like get together instead of holding regular
business meeting we can do so that way we can all convene and like work through our work plan and just kind of lay that out as a full like full committee. >> What are what are y'all thoughts about that? >> I'm not sure if that's allowed. Is it?
>> Yeah, like a workshop. Yeah. >> Yeah, we can have like a workshop. Um it's something that we would like have it posted that in like you know like that it's a um kind of like how the uh city council has their council workshop.
It it would be something posted but yet it would be where we would have the time to be able to have more of a in-depth discussion of like what items on our work plan. Um just if we wanted to sit and have some of those more in-depth discussions and not during our regular
open meeting. Um, it might be a good idea. And I know Evette and I were just discussing because June, the past couple years, has been a month where it seems like with schedules and with Junth falling within that third Wednesday of
the month that we typically haven't had a June meeting that maybe to schedule a different time for like a workshop, work clinic would be something that might be >> I'm definitely in favor of that idea.
Oh, I don't know. I just was agreeing. >> Can we do we need to make a motion for that? >> Uh, >> I wouldn't think so. I think you just need to schedule it. >> Yeah. No, I think as long as we're just all on the same page, >> that's kind of where So that way because we have I mean the work plan is is we
can work through it throughout the year, but I just think for us to kind of be able to get everything strategically laid out because we've been having a lot of conversations. I think it'll be most beneficial for us um to do that. So, let's plan for that for June. Um, and then just kind of check in everybody's
schedule so that way we can have that posted in advance for for us. We get that on the calendar as soon as possible because things are ramping up and >> Oh, most definitely. Um, would that
happen around the uh >> I can send out a doodle poll that would work best for all of our schedules and then we can all vote on, you know, within that poll and then we can get something scheduled on the books if that sounds okay. >> Yes. So, let be expecting that poll within the week. So, then that way we
can um please respond by the end of the week that week so that way we all know what that looks like and it can be posted. All right. So, moving right along. uh our subcommittee reports >> the educ >> Oh, go ahead.
>> The education committee I don't think we've met. No, we haven't met, but I think we've been kind of like talking through that work plan. And I think in that meeting, we can kind of further discuss like those areas too, like how everybody can kind of
uh any other like the events, any reports from the events awards? >> Um, from nothing really new from the awards. Um, I know it was mentioned to bring up the Destiny Holiday Award. Um,
so I'm not sure what the is the question are we going to do it again or what's the >> I I think for um it seems like in the past couple years for when we actually get the call for nominations out that it
seems like we don't get that many back in that maybe we should be looking at getting the call for nominations out like the beginning of April and we can continue pushing so we can get more nominations in for the event um is was
my thought was to try and maybe have bring that. >> Yeah, I think ear the earlier the better for sure. Um and then I remember reading it last year and the only changes that we made were the year um and then it's for those of you that maybe don't know it's presented on the at the Junth. Um,
>> and that was um one other thing that I thought we can um just to put out there that um I'm not I'm not all certain what's happening with the Junth event this year. Um and
so just for an option um like presenting it at Junth event, great. But if if another option could be that we could do it at the June city council meeting as well, like how we do the HRC awards. >> It's kind of a recognition um to be able to do it in front of the council
meeting. But that was just an idea like not that we don't have to make a decision tonight, but just a thought out there in case of you know whatever planning events happen for Junth. Then if we want to get the form out in early April and we don't yet obviously know the plans that are going to take place
for Junth um on that section of the award uh the call for nominations, can we just edit that to say that it'll be presented to be determined? >> Yep. >> And that would change the year and then I think I think it would be good to send out beginning of April.
>> And my my awards counterpart is Trenton but he's not here but I don't think that it would be an issue. I will get something together and sure >> email you guys about what it'll look like. So >> that's a plan. >> Yeah, because I think that's a great
idea to have them be recognized at the city council meeting and then I'm not sure what's happening for like the Junth as well. So um I know uh typically we have some level of involvement in what's happening um with that. So, just kind of
trying to figure out um making sure that we're still able to recognize uh individuals in the community as you know as scheduled. Um let me see. So, reports and announcements. Um so, just want to let
everybody know um Sebastian could probably well maybe not Sebastian, but um sorry. Um I was uh invited to participate on the mayor's ad hoc committee. um that kind of discuss uh ICE activity. So they just had their
first meeting uh within the uh this month early this month and so I did like a little report out. So right now I understand things have have been happening they've been happening and I know a lot of people want to like see stuff happen like immediately. Um but
because this had the meeting just started, we are in the process of like we have a great I think we have a really good group like diverse group uh of individuals that are a part of that. Um
and so as a representative u from the HRC uh we're actually in the process of gathering uh resources um for individuals to utilize and to get like a a survey out for organizations that are actively uh providing support and
resources in the community so that way um it can be more accessible and so that way we're not reinventing the wheel. Um, but I think on those higher levels, they're able to kind of maybe push out more information as far as like maybe
what the city is uh city council or like what other areas are doing to kind of support those spaces. But that's all the information that I have to share, but I will continue to provide updates as um
as things kind of progress. And so um it's really I I do appreciate the last meeting where we kind of discussed that popping up and our you know things meetings happening but getting us involved. I think this is a positive step because now we have a voice and we
can speak for community and different areas. So if there are if there is stuff feel free to kind of email me or whatever um on this area so that way we I can make sure that those I those things are being heard as well. Um and
that that's kind of that's all I have right now uh regarding that. Um let me see. >> Oh no problem anything. >> So I do have a question on that. >> What is this ad hoc committee and what
is the goal? Because if people want information, that's something. But if it's is it an inactive committee or is there going to be action? Oh, I I don't like to be a part of anything where there's no action. And so, uh, yeah. So,
to be honest that a lot of questions were raised and a lot of strategic directions were put out there. Um, but I always I'm for comm I'm for the community and so I think it's really important to talk about what is what's needed for this community and to like
the things that we hear the stuff that comes in for us. We look at how we can fill those gaps and those needs because um there are maybe legal resources that people are not utilizing or don't know of. there are organizations that are
creating spaces to provide funding that maybe people are not being connected with. Um we are talking about what what are some resources that the community can provide. Um these are different things that we're looking at where we're asking those questions. So if there is
any like like what I'm sharing is whatever those gap areas are where people are seeing that there are needs, we need to know about it. And in the city, I think in the city council meeting, I did hear a couple of folks
kind of talk about what, you know, some of the stuff that's going on or like some of the areas that they kind of gathered from that. Um, but I'm looking at it from our human rights perspective and that is what I bring, but I also bring in, you know, my background and
those folks that are impacted by the things that are currently happening, those different things. Um, so it's really important to have those perspectives and just know that we don't have one particular group that is determining everything. We have a
variety of folks at the table and you know if you can't be at that table, your voice is important. share, you know, email us, let us know. So that way we can put those items on that discussion piece to talk about it because we want
all voices to be heard and then if there is an area that needs to be, you know, looked at, then we need to know about it. So, um, hopefully that answers it a little bit. >> Did a good job. >> Okay. Yeah. I ain't I'm not trying to
too do too much but um but yeah and so do we have any new business? No, but I will provide reports you know so next month I'll uh pro hopefully we have we've made some strides.
>> Is there anyone else from HRC that's in this group or no? >> Um not that I'm aware of. just a vet. I am just because I'm on council. Otherwise, there's a few other individuals, another council member, mayor, obviously, city manager, and a couple other from some other communities
that are in there. So, >> okay. >> Yeah, it's a fairly decent sized group. I think maybe 13 total. So, >> have a police chief there. >> Yep. Police chief is there as well. >> Yeah. So, there's on all the different sides. We got questions going, brainstorming happening, and yeah, we're
working on it as a team. If you can um give a breakdown of who's on there, that would be really great because maybe there's a gap already and we don't know. I so in the I'm not really good with
names or like positions, but I did list I watched the city council meeting and they were like talking about all the people that were a part a part of that meeting. We have some representation um from >> Heather Nissers took like verbatim notes
during our our ad hoc meeting. So she had a good list. So she in our last meeting she actually listed everybody that's involved. It's early in the early in our meeting. So yeah, you can certainly easy look through that on YouTube and find it that way >> and and I'll be more I'll have that I'll
come back with it just to you know if some changes or it grows or something is adjusted but if there's any suggestions then an email I like it written you know a written format because it it holds me
accountable. Um but yeah, so that that's kind of the update that we have with that right now. Um but I'm I'm able to speak on behalf of uh Human Rights Commission and individuals that may have
questions. Um so is there anything else we No. All right. So we'll go ahead and um adjourn the meeting at 5:34.