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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/04/2003 CRC minutes MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION 2ND Floor Conference Room, Public Safety Building Thursday, December 4, 2003 7:00 p.m. The meeting of the Community Relations Commission (CRC) of the Village of Mount Prospect was held Thursday, December 4, 2003 in the 2nd floor conference room of the Public Safety Building, 112 East Northwest Highway, Mount Prospect, Illinois. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Brennan called the meeting to order at 7: 05 p.m. ROLL CALL Present Commissioner Muench Commissioner Parikh Absent: Commissioner Tolbert Citizens Dave Schein Staff Lisa Angell APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion to approve the November 6, 2003 meeting minutes was moved and seconded. The minutes were unanimously approved as written. OLD BUSINESS . Contact other Community/Human Relations Commissions As a follow-up to the November meeting the staff liaison reported that the Northwest Municipal Conference (NWMC) would coordinate a survey of member communities, however, the Commission would need to provide a draft survey. While the Commission felt it would be beneficial to know all the communities that had similar Commissions/Committees, they felt it would be more effective to have the Commission members initiate contact directly with the communities a few at a time. Since the Commission knew that the City of Prospect Heights and the Village of Hoffman Estates each had a Community/Human Relations Commission, Commissioner Parikh agreed to contact a representative from each community. In addition to networking with the other communities, the Commissions believes there may be opportunities to cosponsor events and programs serving a larger population. . Community Awareness At the November meeting Commission members discussed the benefits of increased awareness of the events, holidays, etc. of the diverse cultures and religions in the area. As education often facilitates tolerance and acceptance it was suggested that the Commission identify potential sources for publicizing cultural events, holidays and other significant dates/events, etc. of the various religions and cultures to the community. Commissioner Parikh related the positive experience he had working with the Mount Prospect Public Library in organizing a cultural event at the library. The staff liaison stated the Public Information Officer Maura EI Metennani would attend the Commission's February 2004 meeting to explore potential communication systems available to the Commission. It was also suggested that the Commission utilize other public/private publications to promote community awareness. Commissioner Muench suggested that consideration be given to the formation of an Interfaith Council. She mentioned a few communities that have Interfaith Council,and that these organization are open to all faiths; Christian and non-Christian. During this discussion there were questions regarding the diversity of the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast and the local Council of Churches. Chairman Brennan responded that the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast had a Christian focus but did allow for other faiths. He also stated that there may be a potential for the inclusion of more interfaith beliefs within the Council of Churches. Commissioner Muench volunteered to learn how the Interfaith Councils function, and report back at the January or February 2004 meeting. [Commisioner Muench stated she may not be able to attend the January 2004 meeting.] . Thanksgiving Celebration A general overview of the Thanksgiving Celebration held November 23rd at the Trinity United Methodist Church was provided. Chairman Brennan and Commissioner Muench were both able to attend the service and were pleased with the attendance and positive feelings generated at the gathering. Chairman Brennan stated the monetary offering collected at the service was given to ACCESS to CARE, and the agency was very pleased to receive the donation. . Organizing Community Action Chairman Brennan distributed a flyer promoting the training session for individuals interested in taking the next step in facilitating activities toward open and inclusive communities. Reverend Kirk Reed, Trinity United Methodist Church, had approached Chairman Brennan about the Commission cosponsoring the seminaL] Chairman Brennan stated the Commission's sponsorship did not require any monetary or in-kind service from the Village. It was his hope though, that participants from the Village's Racism and Diversity Forum would attend. To formalize the Commission's support a motion was made, seconded and unanimously approved to cosponsor the citizen training session on organizing community action. NEW BUSINESS . Chairman Brennan introduced his concept of a community reading program as another approach to building a diverse community. He believes this would allow individuals throughout the community the opportunity to participate in this effort for unity. He suggested the first book selected focus on racism and/or cultural diversity. Brennan stated he had already talked to Marilyn Genther, Mount Prospect Public Library, and she was very supportive and offered assistance from the Library. Commissioner Muench and Commissioner Parikh voiced their support of the program. A motion in support of a community read program to be designed and facilitated by the Community Relations Commission was made and seconded. Bya unanimous vote the Commission will proceed with the community read program focusing on unity and diversity. Chairman Brennan will continue to coordinate this project. . Commissioner Muench again expressed her desire to also pursue development of a stronger interfaith community where all faiths could meet as one. She stated that even the use of the word church excludes some faith groups as not all people meet in "churches." She believes that a movement inclusive of all faiths will help unify the community. She would like the Commission to consider an activity/meeting that will reach out to people of all faiths. . Chairman Brennan asked the staff liaison to submit a proposed meeting calendar for 2004. The liaison responded that she would do so. . Chairman Brennan displayed a folder of newspaper articles that he had been collecting and asked if one of the other Commissioners would be interested in keeping a scrap book. There were no volunteers. He also shared with the Commission an article he had recently read in Utica, New York newspaper. The article was about a Leadership Group Forum that was conducted in that community. Noting the similarities between that forum and the Racism and Diversity Forum held in Mount Prospect he was prompted write the newspaper editor and forward information about the Village's forum. He asked the editor to share additional information about Utica's program as well. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD . Mr. Schein stated that as one of the adult advisors to the Village's Youth Commission he would like to see that group partner with the Community Relations Commission on diversity issues. The Commission members agreed there may be many benefits to working with the Youth Commission. Prompted by the Commission's earlier discussion on interfaith organizations, Mr. Schein voiced his support for building an interfaith community. He also appreciates that the Commission recognizes, not all residents are of a Christian faith. Mr. Schein believes the Village should be inclusive of all citizens by using nondenominational religious references at public forums. He indicated that he has been at public meetings where this is not always practiced and asked the Commission what could be done. The Commission thanked Mr. Schein for his comments and expressed their support for the i for inclusion of all faiths during invocations and other public presentations. Following discussion the Commission agreed, a letter with their recommendation that all public officials performing in a public capacity be inclusive of all faiths, and the use of religious references be nondenominational. REPORTS (Commission/staff) . Racism and Diversity Forum Chairman Brennan provided an overview of the revenue/expenditures of the forum. costs and revenue were as follows: Facilitators - $2,000 ($1000 @2) School District 214 (Publication) Refreshments Total Cost The itemized $ 614 $ 137 $2,751 Revenue (Course Fees) $ 900 The Commission's ending balance is approximately $200. . Family Issues Committee No report ADJOURNMENT The next regular meeting was scheduled for Thursday, January 8,2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the second floor conference room of the Public Safety Building. There being no further business a motion to adjourn was moved and seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, M. Lisa Angell