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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/08/2009 - Minutes r � � r , . � � � G��Y �"A � ; ' CITY OF RENTON � ��`�'� JUN p 8 2009 CITY OF RENTON CtTY CLERK�S OFFICE MINUTES ADVISORY COMMISSION ON DIVERSITY Apri18, 2009 Commissioners: Antonio Cube Serena Aquino Sandel Demastus Barbara Clark-Elliott Raymond Lamb Lari White Absent: Vern Nichols Charles Thomas Guest: Kathleen Booher Staff: Gloria Gamba Jerry Rerecich � CALL TO ORDER: Sandel Demastus called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Antonio Cube made a motion to approve the Apri18, 2009, agenda as written. Second by Barbara Clark-Elliot. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Barbara Clark-Elliott made a motion to approve the March 11, 2009,minutes as written. Second by Lari White. Motion carried. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: None. NEW BUSINESS: Sandel Demastus introduced Kathleen Booher to the Commissioners. Mayor Law has submitted her name to the Community Services Committee for appointment to the Advisory Commission on Diversity. The Committee will then submit their report to Council for confirmation. Ms. Booher has excellent credentials and is very involved in the Renton Community. The Commissioners shared their experiences/encounters with diversity issues during March: ➢ Lari White met with a Russian physician. ➢ Sandel Demastus met with an American Red Cross Director and learned that there are „� more foreign languages spoken in the City of Tuicwila than in any other City in the United States. O:�Boards and Commissions�Diversity Committee�Advisory Commission on Diversiry�APR 09 MINUTES.doc t � .. � � Advisory Commission on Diversity April S,2009 Page 2 of 3 � ➢ Barbara Clark-Elliott, President of Seattle Parents, Families, & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG) gave an informational presentation to 30 eighth graders. ➢ Antonio Cube, while parking at a store on Beacon Hill, was questioned by the security guard if Antonio is truly disabled and disputed the fact his placard was legitimate. The Police were called and Antonio provided proof that his placard is indeed valid. ➢ Kathleen Booher recently attended a training session at her workplace and was the only woman present. She experienced inequitable treatment from the instructor and reported the incident to management. Management did not respond. At another function, she objected to a film that would degrade women. The film was not shown. Barbara Clark-Elliott submitted a draft of Annual Celebrations in Renton listing monthly ethnic holidays. Various Commissioners offered suggestions of additional holidays. Kathleen Booher and Barbara Clark-Elliott will collaborate to finalize the list. It was suggested to list the holidays on the Diversity Commission's website on a two-month cycle. OLD BUSINESS: During the March 18th Human Services Advisory Committee/Advisory Commission on Diversity joint meeting with Councilmember Terri Briere and Mayor Denis Law, the Mayor recognizes the value of diversity within the City of Renton and is dedicated to promoting our diverse community in the process of City Government. Mayor Law ,,� is very interested in determining the leaders of the various ethnic groups. The Mayor will consider the possibility of having a 2010 Festival promoting the cultures and foods of diverse Renton groups. Jerry Rerecich updated the Commissioners on the proposed Combined Diversity Workshop. A conference call was held with Federal Way and Tukwila. Another conference call, tentatively scheduled for April 21, 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. will include Lari White, Kathleen Booher, Sandel Demastus, Barbara Clark-Elliott,Jerry Rerecich, and members from Tukwila and Federal Way. Barbara Clark-Elliott stressed the importance of getting the City of Kent involved. (The Kent Diversity Commission disbanded). Jerry Rerecich will once again contact Kent to see if there is interest. Due to time constraints, the workshop may be scheduled on September 12 and may include the planning of the 2010 Diversity Festival. If the Commission decides to have speakers in the future, Antonio Cube, Jr., is the National Manager for Justice for Immigrants representing the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (Mitigation and Refugee Service)based in Washington DC. There will not be a charge for his presentation. The"Who's Your Neighbor"article was tabled until Vern Nichols returns next month. � a , � , � � � Advisory Commission on Diversity April 8,2009 Page 3 of 3 �r.r OTHER: The 2009 Annual Volunteer Dinner will be held at the Renton Senior Center, April 29th. Doors will open 5:45 p.m. Serena Aquino mentioned that Renton High School will be having a Multi-Cultural Performance in May. She will email the pertinent details to Gloria Gamba. Kathleen Booher has completed a presentation on Women's History Month and will bring it to the May meeting. Other suggestions included publishing a newsletter and sharing more information on the City of Renton website. ADJOURNMENT: Lari White made a motion to adjourn. Second by Antonio Cube. Meeting was adjourned at 8:08 p.m. Minutes were taken by Gloria Gamba. �� 1 f �/?� �/ ' �"` " Sandel Demastus, Chair �