Auburn Human Rights Commission
Members: Present (P) Absent, (A); Excused (E)
Karen Sheftic-Burns, Ex.Director P Fred Richardson, Commissioner _P___
Judah Rodriguez-Sierra _P__ Fr. Stephen Mack _P_ Lebertus van der Werff _P_
Gwendolyn M. Jones _P___ Kent Brandstetter__P__ Anthony DeCaro _P__
Members Present: _7__ Members Absent: _0__ Members Excused: _0__
Auburn Human Rights Commission - Director’s Report
October Meeting 2004
Approve/second September minutes by: __Jones/Brandstetter___
· Monthly intake for September (46) consisted of questions and/or complaints dealing with housing matters including housing, employment, legal needs and general questions concerning issues pertaining to human rights.
· Monthly Budget: Members please see monthly activity report attached.
· Human Rights Scholarship. Fundraiser tickets are on sale now through May 12, 2005. Our scholarship goal is $500. In the past, HR received ticket donations from MGR Playhouse. After a lengthy discussion with MGR, HR has learned that MGR must now adhere to stricter donation guidelines and can no longer provide support to HR in their past capacity. Merchant donors list as follows:
Holiday Inn – Weekend Getaway Package $150 value
Springside Inn – Brunch for Two certificate $28.12 value
Sunset Restaurant – Dining Certificate $25 value
Apple Auto Wash – Certificates $25 value
Mystery Prize! Surprise! Value to be announced.
· Tomatofest information/HR awareness booth on Sat./Sun., Sept. 11 & 12th
HR was located inside the Pavilion. Many informational materials were available for free along with promotional sale items (i.e. t-shirts, hats, multicultural wooden globes, etc.) This year’s proceeds were less than half of last year’s amount ($50). We believe it was due to less “foot traffic” inside the building. There were many empty vendor spaces inside as well as a few empty spaces on the porch side. When the building is filled with information booths, more pedestrians frequent the building.
· Human Rights Awareness Advertising Campaign: On-going
· Annual Human Rights Recognition Awards Program & Reception – October 6 from 6-8 pm at City Hall. All details are final for the program. Promotional media pieces (i.e. press releases, Public Service Announcements, etc.), announcements to service organizations, churches, elected officials (city, county, state), schools/boards. Program and tickets printed. Honorees notified. Engraved plaques ordered. Catering details complete. Guest speaker: Yolanda Rivera, Director of Hispanic Community Center. As of date, newspaper media has provided excellent pre-event coverage.
· Attended Options for Independence Annual Meeting and Awards Program. Various community awards were presented to those who advocate and make a difference in the lives of the disabled. Well attended.
· Plans are underway for a Human Rights Commission In-Service & Public Forum on Fair Housing. The forum hosts Merrilee Witherall, Director of CNY Fair Housing and is scheduled for Wednesday, November 3 from 5:30 – 6:30 pm. More details to follow.
· Attended Legal Services (Legal Aid Society) roundtable discussion on community needs. Auburn Human Rights as well as other community agencies came to the roundtable discussion to review recent Legal Needs Survey results. They requested participation and dialogue on how they can best use their limited resources to provide civil legal services to the low-income residents of Cayuga County. Also discussed was the possibility of area lawyers and judges who may be available for pro bono work. Well attended.
· New Business: HR has tentatively reserved Women’s History Month (March 2005) presenter Ellen Mnich (A.H.Clst.) for Tuesday, March 8, 2005. More details to follow.
· Old Business:
Next COMMISSION MEETING
Wed. November 3rd at 5 pm
Followed by In-Service & Public Forum on fair housing.
Guest: Merrillee Witherall, Dir. Of CNY Fair Housing.
Full attendance needed.
Please call 255-4122 if you cannot attend.
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