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 __A___ Kent Brandstetter__P ___ Anthony DeCaro _A ___
Yolanda Rivera __E __
Members Present: __5_ _ Members Absent: __2 _ Members Excused: _ 1___
Call to order: _5:05____pm
Auburn Human Rights Commission - Director’s Report
April Meeting 2005
Approve/second last month’s minutes by: ____Mack/van der Werff______________
Members discuss the following:
Monthly intake for March (37) consisted of questions and/or complaints dealing with housing matters (landlord and tenant, repairs), union employ inquiries, employment terminations, and questions/calls in reference to our Women’s History Month Program.
Monthly Budget: Members please see monthly activity report attached.
Update: Budget 2005-2006 second round of reviews with Department Heads was held with the City Manager and Comptroller Lisa Green. HR requests similar budget/increases as last year with the request for more funding and expansion of staff (Infield Investigator). This request was removed by City Manager while the remainder of the upcoming budget is proposed to remain the same as last year. This includes restoration of $300 on line. 46. This line is professional development but generally is used to cover other office costs (i.e. any outreach educational programs). Proposed budget figures finalized during March 28-April 8.
HR Commissioner Richardson and HR Director Sheftic-Burns requested funds for a new office computer. Current computers are experiencing technical difficulties (c-drive lock-ups, slow processing, problems rebooting, etc.) City Manager states this can be obtained through the City General Fund. We will receive a new system.
Women’s History Month Program: Completed. Human Rights sponsored Ellen Mnich’s Aunt Helen’s Closet at Genesee Elementary School. Grades 2 and 3 learned about a well-traveled strong woman role model who embraced worldwide cultures and diversity.
Awareness advertising campaign: on-going
Annual Report design: on-going. Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York, Inc. (formerly Legal Services of CNY) provided current stats for the report in progress.
Juneteenth Day 2005: At this time, letters of commitment are completed for BTW (site) and Black Storytelling League (presenter) as well as request for reception sponsorship by Wegmans. The League agrees to send two professional storytellers for a total fee of $200. Scheduling for this program is set for Wednesday, June 15 from 1-3 pm at Booker T. Washington Center. Press releases and announcements are yet to be released.
HR Members supported and participated in the annual United Way Golf Tournament fundraiser. This worthy community drew the support of four hundred and fifty-six people and netting $5700 toward their 2005 fall campaign. For more details, please see United Way sheet provided.
Homesite Board Meeting: Discussion of current programs and funding concerns.
Motion to accept Director’s Report/Second: ___Brandstetter/Mack__________
New Business:
Human Rights Scholarship applications (8) are in our office and are scheduled for review/selection by Members at the next Human Rights meeting on May 4.
Members notation: Call AHS, requesting announce application continue to be accepted. Also CSAA, BTW, and Salvation Army.
Interested HR Board Members my send a letter of support to our representatives in the House and Senate asking to pass bills that put funding for Community Services Block Grants for fiscal year 2006 and approves reauthorizations for five years. The HR office sent a letter of support to Senator Clinton. HR Board Members may obtain a sample letter (from HR) for mailing to their representative.
Old Business:
Mailed letter to the Editor to area media with thanks for support and coverage on Black History Month program.
Motion to adjourn/Second: ____van der Werff/Brandstetter_______________
Next COMMISSION MEETING:
Wed, May 4 at 5 pm (with Scholarship application review)
Members please call 255-4122 if you cannot attend.
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