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Auburn Human Rights Commission
Minutes from September 4, 2002 meeting
Members: Present (P; Absent, (A); Excused (E)
Karen Sheftic-Burns, Ex.Dir.: P Fred Richardson, Comm.; P
Zan Liebowitz, Sec.; P Judah Rodriguez-Sierra; P
Fr. Stephen Mack; P Loretta Snell; P
Gwendolyn M. Jones; P Valerie Bauhofer; E
Kent Brandstetter; P Anthony DeCaro; E
Members Present: 8 ; Members Absent: 0 ; Members Excused: 2
Meeting called to order at 5:10 p.m. by Commissioner Richardson.
-Minutes of the July and August Board meeting approved; motion/seconded: Loretta Snell, Zan Liebowitz
-Monthly Intakes & Budget: Monthly intakes (50) on various issues including: employment/termination, landlord/tenant issues, legal assistance needs, etc…..from individuals contacting the office in person or via the telephone.
Board Member
TomatoFest: TomatoFest items ordered
Board Member
Unity House Open House: Attended Unity House Open House with guest speaker Antonia Lasicki, J.D.-Executive Director, Association for Community Living. Informative speaker spoke on mental health issues of funding, greater awareness, challenges, and the availability of organizations similar to Unity House. Human Rights Commission Member Zan Liebowitz also attended on behalf of the Commission. It was also an opportunity to connect with Babette Younis, NYS Governor Pataki
Board Member
Human Rights Education Seminar: Completed HR Education seminar entitled, “The Rights of Refugees and Displaced Persons”. Information dealt with the history of international protection of refugees and displaced persons; the role of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees where individuals can only be returned to their country if they are a criminal or a security risk to the host country; the main international protection mechanism for refugees; the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. Also covered are procedures for defining refugee status with an individual showing fear of persecution based upon race, religion, national origin, membership to a political or social group with their fear being based upon objective facts.
Board Member
Awards Program: Efforts ongoing
Board Member Community Award: Colleen Meier, Teacher at Herman Elementary
Organization/Corporate Award: Unity House
Youth Award: Becky Armstrong & Rachel Vivenzio
Members note that official notification will be mailed to Awardees prior to onset of ticket sales.
Karen suggested creating a form which can be sent to Churches, etc. A standard form with questions will help make the nomination process easier and consistent.
Grants: The search continues for applicable grant opportunities. Recently an excellent grant was discovered via the web that fit our needs perfectly. Further information revealed that it was for organizations based in the state of California. More searches to follow. Consultation with Ms. Suder is on the schedule.
Board Member
Education ad campaign: Ads to begin in September and run through June 2003. The City wants a uniform appearance to all advertising and to include the city seal. This may cause an increase in advertising inches but will no longer be paid from the HR budget.
New Business: Florence Smith invited the HR Commission to sponsor “Eyewitness to Palestine”
Old Business: None
Director
-Motion to adjourn/seconded: Loretta Snell/Fr.Mack at 6:00 p.m.
THE NEXT HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION BOARD MEETING WILL BE WEDNESDAY, October 2nd, 2002 AT 5:00 P.M. Followed by the HR Recognition Awards
Please call 255-4122 if you cannot attend the meeting!
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