Auburn Human Rights Commission
Minutes from November 6, 2002 meeting
Members: Present (P; Absent, (A); Excused (E)
Karen Sheftic-Burns, Ex.Dir.: P Fred Richardson, Comm.; E
Zan Liebowitz, Sec.; P Judah Rodriguez-Sierra; A
Fr. Stephen Mack; P Loretta Snell; E
Gwendolyn M. Jones; P Valerie Bauhofer; E
Kent Brandstetter; P Anthony DeCaro; A
Members Present: 5 ; Members Absent: 2 ; Members Excused: 3
November 6th meeting began at 1:15 p.m. with Commission In-Service and Public Forum with Homesite Director, Tom Falcchio…topic, Housing and Section 8.
Section 8 presentation included information on guidelines, qualifications, certificates vs. vouchers, income requirements, inspections, and general information about the program. Good informative presentation with lively interaction from the audience. The Commission thanks Tom for his time and wealth of information.
At 6:15 p.m. a general Commission meeting was called to order (no quorum) with a discussion of the Director’s Report as follows:
Monthly Intakes: October monthly Intakes (81 total) on various issues including: requests for legal assistance, housing matters including but not limited to landlord/tenant issues, individuals not satisfied with police services, harassment, employment/termination, etc…from individuals contacting the office in-person or via the telephone.
Board Member’s Comments: Discussion.
Awards Program Update: Commission members greeted 60 guests during their annual awards program honoring various community members at the Schweinfurth Art Center. Miguelina Post, Keynote Speaker, gave an outstanding and inspiring address, highlighting the contributions of the evenings honorees and the importance of the work in human rights. HR Scholarship…we’re half way toward our goal. No funds were generated for the Award Program. Raffle tickets will continue to be sold through early May 2003. Auburn High School has been contacted on HR’s wish to have more input with scholarship “call for entries” and student selection. They are willing to let HR take on the added work.
Board Member’s Comments: We are at the ½ way point! Karen will follow up with a retail ad…press announcement. An application form was forwarded by the school to be further developed for scholarship applicants.
Educational Advertising Campaign: Ongoing. Ads highlighting various topics are published monthly in The Citizen with retail space reserved through summer 2003. Current Advertising Sale Representative: Lisa Zeyak.
Board Member’s Comments: Gwen suggested a self mailer for the school Fund, especially at Christmas time. Price guotes on printing will be sought.
SHARE: Contacted the SHARE group (Prof. Rossin) for information on Native American Storytellers for our Awareness educational outreach. This effort would bring information to students, creating an awareness and understanding not usually found within history texts. Also contacted, Native American organizations in Syracuse for information and fees. Planning – ongoing.
Board Members Comments: Discussion.
Juneteenth Day 2003: Contacted last year’s presenter to arrange a reservation for the June program with the site tentatively set at the Harriet Tubman Grounds. There’s been some “phone tag” but we’ll finalize the reservations soon.
Board Member’s Comments: HR will need to note test dates on district school calendar. This will ensure no time conflicts: testing vs. program.
Women’s History: Looking at the possibility of a Wells College Intern for Women’s History Month. Logistics need to be worked out around the actual planning time prior to March. There would be a lot of independent work from concept to completion – perhaps during a January term. Planning: ongoing.
Board Member’s Comments: Fifth grade art classes will integrate the curriculum with a short written narration with their poster design.
A.M.E.Zion Church: Joined the A.M.E. Zion Church in welcoming US Attorney, Michael Battle (17th Western District, New York) to Auburn. He spoke on his career/background and the various services his office provides. Commission Member, Zan Liebowitz joined the HR Director at this program where we had an opportunity to meet with Mr. Battle. As he stated in his program, various organizations contact his office for funding assistance. With this in light, HR Director took the opportunity to discuss the AHR funding situation and our desire to have growth in staff and services to the community. This was discussed with information to follow from his office.
Board Member’s Comments: Mr. Battle was very helpful and will get in touch with Karen about funding, etc. Commission member Zan Liebowitz expected more public support for the program welcoming Mr. Battle to our community.
New Business: Upcoming program (previously discussed); Monthly Budget (discussed); Tompkins County Human Rights Program.
Board Member’s Comments: Discussion of Tompkins County HR Program: Members to decide who will attend the program with United Nations Ambassador Musambachime. He was appointed Ambassador and permanent Representative of the Republic of Sambia to the United Nations in September 2000
Old Business: None
General meeting closed at 7:30 p.m.
THE NEXT HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION BOARD MEETING WILL BE WEDNESDAY, December 4th, 2002 AT 5:00 P.M. – Full board attendance needed/located in board room, 1st floor, City Hall
Please call 255-4122 if you cannot attend the meeting!
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