Human Rights Commission
Attendance NOT IN ATTENDANCE
Cecilia Akuffo Marlissa Briggett
Sheri Baron Kevin McGann
Christine Carney Susan McHugh
Christine Deshler
Chris Kita
A. Nick Minton
Bill Shea
Nancy Sweeny
Jim Webster
Start of meeting: 8:00 p.m.
New Business
Decision Re: 2003 summer AHRC meeting schedule
o Question: Whether Committee should skip one meeting next summer because of vacations, etc.
o Decision: In July of next year Committee can decide whether to take August off, based on where everyone’s at in July
Committee News
o Esther is resigning, and sent an email informing Committee of this
o Chris Kita will not seek re-appointment when his term is up in November
o Christine Carney will put up a flyer on Town Day announcing the vacancy
Other
o MCAD – complaints now need to be filed within 300 days rather than the former 6 months
Events
September 11th memorial
o Memorial to be held by Town Hall. Volunteers needed to hand out candles. The widow of the Arlington man who died on 9/11 may attend. Scheduled to be present at the memorial are:
Kathleen Dias
Phil Farrington
Police Fire Honor Guard.
Bagpipes (possibly)
Town Day
o Marlissa sent 26 letters to local restaurants. Jimmy’s Mr. Sushi, and Tea Tray in the Sky responded
o To share the work everyone will call 2 restaurants; if it’s close to the event, members should pick up certificates in person
o Marlissa will put up a flyer welcoming volunteers to help with the 10th anniversary celebration and any of the Committee’s other events
Dialog
o On October 9th at 7:30, Diane Levin is scheduled for the next Dialog at the Robbins Library. Marlissa will create flyers re: the event for Town Day; flyers will be sent to the elementary schools
Committees
· Publicity & Rapid Response: Nothing to report
· Policies & Procedures: Nothing to report
· 10th Anniversary Committee
o Will meet in early October after everyone has returned from vacations. The plan is to:
o Talk about where Arlington has been
o Talk about where Arlington is presently
o Work with groups we’re worked with already
· Samantha Power, author of The Quiet Americans, in which she talks about reactions to genocide after the holocaust, is scheduled to speak at the Kennedy School. She is a possible good fit for the 10th anniversary celebration
· The Committee may is considering an Arlington Human Rights Award. This could be tied in with a United Way award. We would need a grant writer (possibly Judy Bond).
· The UW “Unity Fund” award relates to community-based educational programs that promote tolerance and understanding. The Boston Foundation also has an award that may be an option.
End of meeting: 8:35 p.m.
Submitted by Cecilia Akuffo
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