HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
October 17, 2001
In Attendance Absent
Sheri Baron Esther Kingston-Mann
Marlissa Briggett Susan McHugh
Christine Carney Jim Webster
Christine Deshler
Chris Kita GUESTS
Kevin McGann
Nick Minton Sue Scheffler
Roger Rosen Bill Hartigan
Bill Shea
Nancy Sweeney
Sheri Baron called the meeting of the Human Rights Commission to order at 8:00PM at the Jefferson-Cutter House.
REVIEW MINUTES
The Commissioners accepted the September minutes.
COMPLAINTS AND INCIDENTS
Fabyan St.: Kevin McGann reported that the Commission did have jurisdiction. There is question on how to proceed because the woman does not know who did it. Where does the Commission go from here, would she name a respondent? C. Deshler said if the Commission agrees to accept than it would have to follow the 3.6 Rule to notify the respondent, request a statement, and then have a fact finding conference. All Commissioners voted in favor to accept. A discussion began on a way to approach this complaint with no respondent name.
Webcowet St: there was racist graffiti on a garage of a tenant of an African American woman. Fred Ryan could not get in touch with her to find out if she wants to initiate a complaint.
BOY SCOUTS ISSUE
M.Briggett reported about the School Committee Meeting that several Commissioners attended asking the board to not allow schools to charter Boy Scout troops keeping in line with the rules of the D.O.E.. After the Commissioners presented then Steve Gilligan presented for the Boy Scouts. It was decided that the board would do further research on policies and what other districts are doing. There were two visitors at the meeting to discuss the issue. A discussion began about the decision of the AHRC to approach the School Committee on this issue.
C.Deshler: explained the background to the decision that the AHRC
· invited 2 Boy Scout leader reps to an AHRC Meeting to better understand the policies and hierarchy.
· B.Shea talked with 1 principal about the issue.
· researched the D.O.E. rules concerning the issue.
· A letter was written to the Boston hierarchy of the Boy Scouts.
C.Deshler further explained the position of the AHRC that it had voted to urge the School Committee to disassociate schools from chartering Boy Scout Troops. The position of the AHRC is based on state law not to sponsor any group that discriminates. The Town and the Schools have a non-discrimination policy so follow the policy, not stop meetings at schools. An open discussion between the Commissioners and the visitors began.
NEWLY REVISED RULES AND REGULATIONS
· It was decided by the Commissioners that all commission communication will go out on letterhead in the chair s name. All sub-committee communication can go out in a commissioner s name that s doing the work. A copy of all communications should be given to the staff assistant to be kept on file.
· All sub-committees should report monthly to the Commission. It will be a regular agenda item.
· Any Commissioner with comments for a sub-committee should be sure to get them to the sub-committee.
· Attached are copies of the forms updated by the Rules and Regulations sub-committee.
DIALOGUES/BOOK GROUPS
· HLGates- people would like to meet as follow-up to event the week of Thanksgiving (Monday if it can be arranged). Marlissa will send HLGates copies of the ads/flyers. The mailing is complete.
· Nan Stein Dialogue, “Bullying vs. Harassment in an Era of Zero (In)Tolerance”. In attendance will be; Joanne Coakley (AHS guidance counselor), Charlie McCarthy (AHS staff), and four high school students.
STATEMENTS
1) City of Medford statement: S.Baron recommends signing on to as a Commission. C.Deshler wants to know if the statement is looking for the AHRC to sign on to or use it themselves locally. N.Sweeney will call to have our name added to support list of the statement and check out if the AHRC should be using it further. All Commissioners agreed to this vote.
2) R.Rosen s draft statement: There was a discussion about the US response to the terrorist attack with a proposal by R. Rosen to make a formal statement. The Commissioners decided to not make a formal statement at this time.
DIVERSITY IN ARLINGTON
Bill Shea was very pleased with the night and experiences presented. It was well attended in the Community Room-90+ people attended. A large minority group attended. The AHRC should get the Diversity Task group mailing list. N.Sweeney wants to keep the interest going by doing another dialogue-possibly in January around MLK holiday.
Meeting adjourned at 10:05 PM.
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