OCTOBER HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING - DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
* September Monthly Intakes (69 total) on various issues including: harassment, employment/termination, requests for information on divorce, housing matters including but not limited to landlord/tenant issues, legal assistance needs, etc. ...from individuals contacting the office in-person or via the telephone...
Discussion followed concerning intakes...
* Awards Program UPDATE: Commission members voted for the following honorees: Colleen Meier - Community Award; Unity House - Corporate/Organization Award; Becky Armstrong & Rachel Vivenzio - Youth Awards. All media efforts are complete (via newspaper, radio, television). Pre-program coverage has been continuously airing on cable channels 4 & 6 and area newspapers as well. This year many at-door ticket purchases are expected.
Discussion - Commission members turned in their pre-sold and unsold tickets. We estimate that we'll meet the guaranteed minimum of sixty in attendace. One minister and one private citizen will conduct "head counts" at the program for an accurate number. Custom Engraving plaques and the appreciation gift for student (John Liberator, Pianist) will be awarded.
* TomatoFest fundraiser...UPDATE: Commission Members and Auburn High School Student operated the information booth, receiving high visibility over the 2 day span. Various items were available for sale with the main item of interest being the Fundraiser Scholarship raffle tickets. Those sold the best this year with the other items lagging in sale compared to last year. The in-stock items will be used for gifts of appreciation, prizes, etc. at upcoming programs. Total cash collected on scholarship raffle tickets: $66.00.
Fr. Emanuel visiting from Nigeria and Tony Carnicelli from St. Joseph's Church/Weedsport stopped at our T-Fest booth inquiring about HR information. They also visited the HR office at City Hall requesting information on international human rights as well as seeking educational history videos. Discussed: the human rights violations in Nigeria against the outspoken members of the clergy. Clergy are retaliated against for speaking out against the government and corruption.
Discussion over the T-Fest money raised plus overall sales for that weekend. Members agree that items will be used for other human rights programs.
* Attended Homsite Board Meeting. Discussion on various issues pertaining to housing.
* Attended Options For Independence Fall Business Meeting & Awards Program... Commission Member Zan Liebowitz and HR Director attended the program along with many other members of the community. Discussion followed on program.
* Grants UPDATE: Ms. Suder was contacted as per her request for Fall 2002 grant writing. After HR reviewed our past discussion/grant needs/budget with Ms. Suder she decided that our Commission "could not afford her" services at $4000-$5000 and that she had "changed her mind" about working with a small budget non-profit Commission. She suggested paying her a one-time fee of $450 for the day of grant writing tips and write the grant(s) ourselves. The main objective was to obtain a successful and professional grant writer in order to obtain our grant monies and not waste valuable time with the inevitable rejections from novice writers. Ms. Suder suggested contacting David Hunt for grant information. HR will follow through...Discussion followed. Since
the HR office has previously attended other grant writing seminars at a 75% savings, the $450 fee is not cost effective. Whereas there are numerous grants available for various programs, it is difficult to find grant funding for operational aspects (i.e. staffing) of an office.
* Educational ad campaign UPDATE: Met with Debbie McCormick, City Clerk to discuss our ad campaign in relation to the City guidelines for advertising. The City wants a uniform appearance to all advertising and to include the city seal/web site. This will increase the advertising inches but will no longer be paid from the HR budget. That's a bonus for the Commission budget. The Citizen Advertising Sales Representative is scheduled to pick up the ad copy/layouts.
Discussion: Ads are pre-scheduled through early summer. Our current Advertising Sales Representative is Lisa Zeyak.
New Business:
* Monthly Budget (See Attached) - Discussion
* Commissioner Richardson stated that it is a good idea for our Commission to contact the Tompkins County Human Rights Commission and attend their monthly meeting some time in the future. This has been done in the past with positive incite into their Commission operational aspects, funding, programs, etc.
Old Business - None
Adjournment to AHR Recognition Awards Program at the Schweinfurth from 6-8:00 pm
Adjournment: Motion/Seconded by: Tony DeCaro/Gwen Jones Time: 5:30 pm
Minutes submitted by: Zan Liebowitz, Human Rights Commission Secretary
NEXT COMMISSION MEETING: ___NOV. 6__ AT 5:00 PM
Please call 255-4122 if you cannot attend the meeting.
| 
