MULTILINGUAL VOTING RIGHTS COALITION 12114/00 George Pillsbury (Boston VOTE), Trinh Nguyen (Office of New Bostonians), Felix Arroyo Jr. (Councilor Chuck Turner's.office), Gibran Rivera (La Alianza Hispana), Malia Lazu (Boston VOTE), Madhulika Khandelwal (UMass Boston), Tom Louie (Massachusetts English Plus), Rev. Che~g Imm Tan (Office of New Bostonians), Steve Meacham (City Life), Hiep Chu (NCAS), Kathy Brown (Boston Tenant Coalition), Lydia Lowe (Chinese Progressive Association), Amy Leung (Chinese Progressive Association), Evonne Yang (Chinese Progressive Association) 1. General Discussion The Coalition will focus on more immediate issues of the language barrier and other access barriers, with a long term goal of social change. Redistricting - Census 2000 information will be available online 4/01. This data will be used for redistricting, which Boston VOTE is working on. As almost everyone in the coalition does work in areas that will be affected by redistricting, we will discuss this further in January. 2. Updates Community Hearings- Originally, Boston VOTE, La Alianza Hispana, and Councilor Turner were talking with Councilor Feeney and working to hold hearings in January about voter access (language and cultural barriers, lack of candidate choice, why people don't vote, etc.) Because of the City Counc~ 's schedule, the hearings will be postponed until Marh 1, 2001. There is potential to expand the hearings to other communities (ie Chinatown), CPA can pull this together. CPA will work with Boston VOTE, La Alianza Hispana, and any others on this issue. There was some discussion on expanding the scope of hearings to include focus groups throughout the City. The Office of New Bostonians is currently doing a voter survey which includes random phone calls, focus groups, and interviews with community workers; they will target the Vietnamese, Chinese, and Haitian communities. The data will be used to calculate the t percentage increase in voter turnout, to document effective strategies in increasing voter turnout, to document voting efforts and civic participation, and to make recommendations on increasing civic participation. Proposal Points- Nicolas and Kathy met to discuss the proposal framework and project mechanisms, and Kathy presented some questions to the coalition that we need to discuss at the next meeting: -need to find the main language groups in the city to have interpreters on-call . -plan for special arrangements for other language groups as needed -consider expanding translation to other meetings, such as pubHc health, zoning, etc. -ideally identify a qualified person to coordinate and maintain within each body needing translation (City Council, etc.) -consider translators-- certified? draw from CBO's and train them? -written materials translated at hearings? This seems to be a big step -- maybe further down the road? what is currently realistic and useful? -consider the mechanisms needed: ordinance? executive order? lawsuit? etc. There will be public accommodation issues (Civil Rights issues) Also, who/what body will monitor compliance? handle complaints? how about the ADA act/sign language? Talking with the City- There is a need for interpreters in City departments, but it is difficult to document the precise numbers. Need data for how often translation is needed, what languages, etc. A possibility is to push the City to purchase one or two sets of translation equipment as a pilot, and see how many departments request interpreters. This would help document the need for the interpreter system. Tom, Evonne, and Cheng Imm will meet with Ann Hess (Chief of Staff, Boston City Council) and Councilor Turner's office to discuss the interpreter system, and the planned rewiring of the Council Chamber to see if it is feasible to install wiring needed for the interpreter system at the same time. We might consider pushing for both portable and permanent systems. NEXT MEETING: JANUARY 11, 12:00-2:00, at CPA. The purpose of the Multilingual Voting Rights Coalition is to organize for increased political access and political power for immigrant and minority communities, with a long term vision of social change. To this end, we will work on the issues of miltilingual ballots and access t0 the political system, redistricting and political representation, voter registration and voter education, and development and promotion of a political agenda for our communities. Our immediate focus is to advocate that a simultaneous interpreter system be made available at public meetings of the City Council, School Committee, and other agencies of the City of Boston to allow immigrant communities a voice in public policy. NEXT MEETING: January 11, 2001; 12:00-2:00 at the Chinese Progressive Association lunch provided, small dontion requested to cover food costs AGENDA: 1. Welcome and Introductions 2. Discussion on redistricting 3. Discussion on translation system proposal 4. Brief updates on other work areas Date: Tuesday, December 19, 2000 5:52:18 PM From: Pittsburghsports Subj: update for sound system To: MAEngPius Tom,. tJ I just got another call from Terry Hanr;~ey. Based on his preliminary research, he thinks that a portable system is more feasible and practical. He has found a combination that would allow for 8-1 0 languages to be translated simultaneously on a transmitter to receivers (like the portable system we discussed today) for a similar cost to the figures this morning. He recommended that we consider using rechargable batteries, which run approx $10 per battery This will save $$ in the long run, he doesn't think we need the infrared system. The permanent system is more difficult logistically. There are sound clarity problems b/c interpreters will not be able to move around, and there will most likely not be an isolation booth. He thinks that we can purchase a "bay station" which will hook up to the existing Chamber sound system. This station can transmit to interpreters, and can also serve those who are hard of hearing. Terry didn't give many details for this, as it would be expensive and he thinks it is impractical. /..- ~ w ] t«r·~·r11 ekt4~~ ~11 d ~~ L.. ~L.t.R ~ sew~ ;..... ~ ~ ~·d In City Council City of Boston Order of Councillors Chuck Turner and Charles YanceY, DAVIS-MULLEN, HONAN, HENNIGAN, ROACHE, SCAPIC CHIO, RO SS J a nuary 30. 2001 \VHEREAS: Yotebiegistration and vot~r participation rates have fallen across the city of Boston in every neighborhood o,·cr the course of the last th irty years; . ' and · ) .i WHEREAS: Simplified voter registrat~on techniques have helped to increase voter registration in many neighborhoods, but has not increased the rates of voter participation; and i I \VHEREAS: Voter participation will ~trengthen accountability on the part of elected o fficia l s~TH E REFORE BE IT ~: ~ p ORDERED: That th ed~oston·- City Couiicil~ hold two public hearings in different parts of the City. to enable and encourage residents and organjzations to attend and give their perspective as to why residents don't vote, as well as, give suggestions as lo what the Mayor and the City Council c:J.n do to increase voter participaLiun. BE IT FURT HER ORDERED: That representatives from the Mayor's Office, the Office of Neighborhood Services and the Election Commission shall be invited to answer questions, address concerns and respond to suggestions for change in election procedures and/or election equipment from those in attendance. The general public will be invited and notice of said hearings will be published in the City Record. .. : ·: ""'\ In City Council City of Boston ·. Order of Councillors Chuck Turner and Charles YanceY. DAVIS-MULLEN, HONAN, HENNIGAN, ROACHE, SCAPICCHIO, ROSS January 30.2001 \VHEREAS: Yotebtegistration and vott:r panicipation rates have fallen across the city of Boston in every neighborhood o\·cr the course of the last thirty years; ~ and .· ) ·I WHEREAS: Simplified voter registrat!on techniques have helped to increase voter registration in many neighborhoods, but has not increased the rates of voter participation; and I WHEREAS: Voter pa~icipation will ltrengthen accountability on the part of elected officials'tTHEREFORE BE IT · ~ ,! '· . ORDERED: That th~)oston City Couhcil hold two public hearings in different parts of the City.. to enable and encourage residents and organizations to attend and give their perspective as to why residents don't vote, as well as, give suggestions as to what the Mayor and the City Council can do to increase voter participation. BE IT FURTHER ORDERED: That representatives from the Mayor's Office, the Office ofNeighborhood Services and the Election Commission shall be invited ~o answer questions, address concerns and respond to suggestions for change in election procedures and/or election equipment from those in attendance. The general public will be invited and notice of said hearings will be published in the City Record. • • I'. ; ... ·-. _,-. ... · :· . The purpose of the Multilingual Voting Rights Coalition is to organize for increased political access and political power for immigrant and minority communities, with a long term vision of social change. To this end, we will work on the issues of multilingual ballots and access to the political system, redistricting and political representation, voter registration and voter education, and development and promotion of a political agenda for our communities. Our immediate focus is to advocate that a simultaneous interpreter system be made available at public meetings of the City Councit School Committee, and