STATE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION FULL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES WILMINGTON & DOVER, DELAWARE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2010 The December monthly meeting of the Delaware State Human Relations Commission was held at the Cannon Building, 861 Silver Lake Boulevard, Conference Room A, Dover, Delaware. The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Calvin Christopher at 7:14 p.m., followed by a period of silent meditation. COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT Chairperson Calvin Christopher and Commissioners Diaz Bonville, Whittona Burrell, Chok-Fun Chui, Wallace Dixon, Earnest Gulab, Marian Harris, Doug James, William Johnston, Prameela Kaza, Gail Launay, Nancy Maihoff, Lorenzo Murdaugh, Randal Perry, Olga Ramirez, Peter Schott, Richard Senato, Robert Watson, Jr., and Jamie Wolfe were present.
COMMISSION MEMBERS NOT PRESENT Commissioners Nathan Barnett, Bernice Edwards, Stephen Elkins, Lois Myers, Randal Perry, and Eli Ramos were excused.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES The November 2010 minutes will be submitted for approval at the January 2011 meeting.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC PRESENT None
DIRECTOR’S REPORT Director Fullman said due to a very busy week in both Divisions’ she does not have a report to hand out this evening. She said she will forward one. She said the Commission for Women has developed a Women’s Health Information Series that held a forum today at the Kirkwood Highway Library. The forum focused on some of the health issues facing female soldiers that are currently enlisted and those that are returning. She said planning and getting speakers for the forum has been a challenge, but the forum was excellent.
Director Fullman said it has been a year since she became the Director for the Division of Human Relations. She thanked everyone for the cooperation and support and said she hopes more can be done to engage the public and lead on some issues within the jurisdiction of the Commission.
Disability Awareness Conference and Future Forums
The Disability Awareness Conference – This was a way for the people to understand the protected categories a little better. Director Fullman commended the Division staff for their hard work in putting on the conference. She thanked the Commission for their participation in the conference as well. In the coming months, she said the Division hopes to coordinate at least two other forums; one that will focus on the Latino community and another that will focus on the protection of sexual orientation for Gays and Lesbians. She said the Division will engage the Commission as we plan those forums. There was some discussion about the Commission seeing meetings as opportunities to improve and expand competency. Inviting speakers and the public to come and educate the Commission was suggested so everyone can be better informed; for instance, modifications to housing laws, or anything 1 that falls under the Commission’s jurisdiction which is centered on amicable, cultural relationships throughout the state.
Human Relations Awareness Month (January) Director Fullman talked about what has been traditionally done in the past for Human Relations Awareness month. She encouraged everyone to give thought to how the Commission might better serve, or lead, the state on matters that have jurisdiction. This will connect us to the community and demonstrate our knowledge of the issues that are important. Commissioner Barnett talked about the issue that is happening in New York with the mosques. He said this is a major problem right now and he suggested this may be something that is considered a focal point for the January Human Relations Awareness month. o Commissioner Barnett suggested taking a pro-active role by having people from different ethnic groups; such as, Jewish, Muslims, Hispanics, etc., come together and have a dialogue about what is happening in our country.
Other Forums and Planned Activities Times are difficult for people right now, so it was suggested the Commission might consider an educational forum whereby a panel from University of Delaware or Delaware State University might help people understand the climate, both in the state and in the nation. Scheduled speakers can be indicated on the state website for the public to see. If there is an interest in the community to hear scheduled speakers, the venue for the meeting can be changed if necessary. The Division had a meeting recently with the U.S. Dept. of Justice Community Response Service. They are the peacemakers in the Dept. of Justice that handle issues of race and culture. It was suggested they could come in and speak to members of the community about their services and how they are a resource for the Commission. Secretary Bullock stated earlier today that Buena Vista Conference Center has been renovated and is a great location for future activities. Committee Meetings Director Fullman asked that as committees meet and determine their long-term strategic objectives, if they share them with the Commission, that would help enable planning and support of activities that the Division is having and that the Commission wants to have during the coming year. Dept. of State’s Budget Hearing (Nov. 1 st ) The Department of State’s budget hearing is scheduled for Monday, November 1st, at 12:00 noon in the Senate Chambers in Legislative Hall, Dover. o In January the Governor sends his recommended budget to the legislature. o Another budget hearing is usually held in February before the Joint Finance Committee. o Both meetings are public meetings, so if you have a particular interest or want to articulate your support for the Commission and how the Division serves, those are the opportunities to do that. o Please let the Director Fullman know so she can notify the Office of Management and Budge (OMB) you plan to attend. Legislative Matters Director Fullman said she is in the process of determining policy priorities. She asked the Commission to let her know if there are bills they feel they would like to support so she can forward them to the
2 Secretary for consideration. She said she will be contacting the Legislative Committee to discuss this with them. The 18 th Annual Fair Housing Conference The 18th Annual Fair Housing Conference at Dover Downs is scheduled for April 6, 2011. Please mark your calendars. Save-a-date cards were handed out at the Disability Awareness Conference. Save-a-date cards are available at the Division office if anyone is interested.
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
Deputy Attorney General Assignment Chairperson Christopher said he has met with Deputy Attorney General Barbara Gadbois and she has requested, from her superior, that she be re-assigned to the Commission once again. Her proposed starting date would be January 2011. Chairperson Christopher said he will check on the status of her return. The Commission expressed their desire to have Barbara Gadbois back as the DAG for the Commission.
SHRC Holiday Meeting/Dinner (December 2010) December 9th SHRC meeting (Holiday meeting) The Commission decided to keep the same format as in the past (i.e., State of the Commission Address, as well as keep it a dinner meeting). Chairperson Christopher said he will talk to Committee Chairpersons for their input. Cost of dinner to Commission needs to be established.
SHRC Meeting Format Need to make sure all committees meet and engage in meetings. Need to publish scheduled meetings in advance. Full SHRC will report activities of subcommittees. Suggestion was made to set aside time during full meetings for continuous learning (i.e., getting new Commission members familiar with hearing process, updating full Commission about possible legislative actions, etc.). o For this to happen subcommittees will need to meet, and then report to the full Commission what has transpired and make a recommendation on any kinds of issues that must be voted on. Chairperson Christopher said this is what is stated in the bylaws. He said he will talk to all the Committee Chairpersons and get their agreement to proceed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS Equal Employment Opportunity Committee: (Gail Launay, Chairperson) Agenda and minutes from the EEOC meeting were handed out. Committee received a binder with EEO status of all departments. Will meet in October to discuss report. DelDot’s review is scheduled for November 18, 2010. Department of Agriculture and DEDO office’s are scheduled for December 16, 2010. Next committee meeting scheduled for November 18, 2010, Room 219 at the Haslet Armory, Dover.
Public Awareness: (Doug James, Chairperson)
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START HERE ????? Legislative Committee: (Commissioner Wolfe gave report) Commissioner Wolfe said the disability community is in the process of revising their agenda for the legislative session. She said they are meeting October 21st to go over ideas. Commissioner Wolfe said she will present their top 10 ideas at the November Commission meeting. Community Response Committee: (Commissioner Ramirez gave report) Gaming Industry – Wrapping up this complaint. Discrimination Complaint Process – Committee would like to create a procedure to follow when new complaints are submitted to them for review. (i.e., complaint specifics, how to respond to complaint, action to be taken, timeline to proceed, etc.) Prospective Commissioners – The committee interviewed three potential Commissioners; recommending Mr. Jamaal Bivens and Mr. Brian Lewis for appointment. Commissioner Ramirez said the committee went over the diversity of the full Commission, and since there is a gender disparity they have decided to only recommend two males for appointment and will seek Ms. Leitch for appointment rather than Mr. DeMarco. A letter will be sent to Mr. DeMarco thanking him for his interest in the Commission and his application will go back in the file for future vacancies. Commissioner Ramirez said committee interviewed Ms. Janet Leitch previously and would like to recommend her; however, the committee needs to contact her to see if she is still interested in being appointed to the Commission. Vice-Chairperson Launay made motion to recommend to the Governor the appointments of Mr. Bivens and Mr. Lewis to the Commission. Commissioner Maihoff seconded the motion. All were in favor. None opposed. Recommendation of Ms. Leitch will wait until November meeting.
OLD BUSINESS Vice-Chairperson Launay made a correction to the panel listed in the hearing notice.
Vice-Chairperson Launay asked the status of the DAG for the Commission. Chairperson Christopher said he met with Barbara Gadbois and she is still interested in supporting the Commission as their DAG. He stated she may come back in January 2011.
NEW BUSINESS Commissioner Wolfe said she was impressed with the Disability Awareness Conference she attended today. She said she was concerned, however, with language used to describe people with disabilities that were used at the conference. She said as a person with a disability, and an advocate and activist, she has done trainings on proper language to use. Director Fullman asked if Commissioner Wolfe could give a small presentation for the Commission and she said she could do one.
Chairperson Christopher encouraged the Commission to let the Division staff know as soon as possible whether or not they can participate on hearing panels when they are asked to serve. He explained that it is important to get back quickly because the staff has to coordinate the hearing dates with many people in a short time.
ADJOURNMENT A motion to adjourn was made, seconded, and approved at 8:37 p.m.
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