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CITY OF RENTON CtTY CLERK'S OFFiCE
MINUTES
ADVISORY COMMISSION ON DIVERSITY
July 9, 2008
Commissioners: Serena Aquino
Antonio Cube
Sandel Demastus
Jennifer Knickerbocker
Vern Nichols
Charles Thomas
Absent: Audrey Godwin
Raymond Lam
Lari White
Staff: Gloria Gamba
Jerry Rerecich
�..r Guests: Sarah Sullivan, Community Voters Project
Dianne Utecht, City of Renton Human Services Contract Specialist
CALL TO ORDER: Sandel Demastus, Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Antonio Cube made a motion to approve the July 9, 2008, agenda
as written. Second by Charles Thomas. Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Antonio Cube made a motion to approve the June 11, 2008,
minutes as written. Second by Serena Aquino. Motion carried.
GUEST SPEAKER: Sarah Sullivan, Assistant Director for the Community Voters Project, was
the guest speaker. The Community Voters Project is a non-profit, non-partisan organization
(under the Fund for Public Interest Research umbrella)that works on grass roots campaigns of
public interest. Their purpose is to get in contact with local community groups, specifically
African Arnerican organizations, to get individuals registered to vote. They will be canvassing
Renton and most of South King County to recruit voters, especially minorities. They have
already reserved the following sites in Renton: Walmart, Safeway, Sam's Club, and the Transit
Station.
She asked the Diversity Commission to recommend contacts in the Renton Community that
� would include various churches, non-profit agencies, neighborhood associations, etc. Dianne
Utecht, Renton Human Services Contract Specialist, agreed to provide the information requested.
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Advisory Commission on Diversity Minutes
July 9,2008
Page 2 of 3
WELCOME: Sandel Demastus welcomed Jennifer Knickerbocker, the newest member to join
the Commission. Jennifer Knickerbocker explained she is currently a member of the North
Renton Neighborhood Association, Administrative Vice President of the MOMS Club of
Renton, and former Membership Vice President of the Institute of Management Accountants. As
a mother of three young children, she will play an important role on the Commission as an
advocate for youth and minority issues.
Jennifer agreed to participate on two of the committees to achieve the Commission's goals for
2008: "Increase and Educate the Community" and"Increase Resources and Connections".
OLD BUSINESS: Jerry Rerecich urged the Commissioners to communicate with each other via
email and telephone(as requested by the Commissioners at the June meeting) to accomplish
these goals in a more timely manner.
Vern Nichols felt very strongly that the Advisory Commission on Diversity flyer does not
adequately reflect the Commission's purpose and may be confusing to the public. He would like
to include more common words. As an example, he would like the term"Human Rights"
included since the meaning is very clear, and possibly use the word, "Unity" as opposed to
� "Diversity". This was addressed at the June meeting and Audrey Godwin had offered to put
together a draft of the Commission's mission statement, bylaws, and work plan to clarify
intentions. Vern Nichols will follow-up with Audrey Godwin on the status. Charles Thomas
asked Gloria Gamba to email the Commissioners a breakdown of City of Renton employees
which includes total number of employees, gender, ethnicity, and age groups.
NEW BUSINESS: Jerry Rerecich distributed a copy of the Federal Way Diversity Commission
2007-2008 Business Plan. At their next meeting, they plan to discuss the possibility of our
Commission visiting Federal Way in September. A van will be available.
Renton River Days will be held July 25, 26, and 27, 2008. Sandel Demastus asked for
volunteers to work the Community Services booth. No volunteers yet for Friday, July 25. Vern
Nichols and Sandel Demastus will work the booth on Saturday, July 26. Sandel Demastus also
volunteered for Sunday, July 27. The hours are:
July 25 2:00 p.m. —5:00 p.m.
July 26 9:00 a.m. —6:00 p.m.
July 27 11:00 a.m. —6:00 p.m.
Gloria Gamba will email booth location to all Commissioners.
The Advisory Commission on Diversity by-laws were discussed. Jerry Rerecich noted there is
� no mention of length of terms. The Commission asked staff to review by-laws of all Renton
boards, commissions, and committees and report back at the August meeting.
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`"�r+' Advisory Commission on Diversity Minutes
July 9,2008
Page 3 of 3
Sandel Demastus brought up the issue of attendance and read Article III of the bylaws. "Any
member missing three or more consecutive meetings of the Commission shall be sent a letter,
from the Commission, requesting their declaration, in writing, that they wish to continue as a
member of the Advisory Commission on Diversity. If any member is absent from 50%or more
of the meetings held in a given year, the Commission shall write a letter to the Mayor and the
City Council requesting that the member be relieved of office and such vacancy shall be filled as
in the case of an original appointment".
Audrey Godwin missed three consecutive meetings in 2008: February, March, and April. The
Commission decided to send Audrey Godwin a letter and request she reply in writing if she
wishes to continue as a member.
ADJOURNMENT: Antonio Cube made a motion to adjourn the July 9, 2008, meeting.
Second by Vern Nichols. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
Minutes were taken by Gloria Gamba.
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Sandel Demastus, Chair
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