City of Salem
No Place For Hate Committee
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, November 13th, 2007
4:30 pm
In Attendance: Maggi-Smith Dalton, Clare Ritchie, Joanne McCrea, Shirley Walker, Jerrie Hildebrand, Shawn Newton, Tom Watkins
Introduction and Mission Statement
The group members introduced themselves. Meeting minutes from the October 2, 200 7 meeting were reviewed and approved with some minor edits. The group reviewed the draft mission statement prepared by Joanne McCrea. After some minor edits, the group formally approved the Mission Statement to read as follows:
The No Place for Hate Committee of the City of Salem is dedicated to promoting acceptance of diversity and combating discrimination. We are dedicated to mobilizing citizens to challenge bigotry and to promote a prejudice-free community in which all people are respected, understood, and appreciated for their differences.
Our primary goal is to be a resource to the City of Salem by providing support and education on diversity issues. We seek to protect the promise of equal justice and civil rights for all members of our community.
Muslim Panel Event
Shawn provided the group with some updates on the event planning for the Muslim Panel. He has been in talks with the Muslim Student Association (MSA) and he said they are ready to go but they just need a date and time. The group reviewed a calendar of Salem State events and asked Shawn to see if the date of Wednesday, December 5th would work. The group also asked Shawn to check into the Central campus Recital Hall at Salem State for the event location. Shawn also informed the group that he has a moderator in mind – Elizabeth Doucette. He recommended her and the group asked him to follow up with her. Shawn will get back to Tom later this week to let him know about the date/time and of Elizabeth’s availability.
It was also discussed that the MSA will put together their own presentation and will also have some prepared questions made to help out with the Q & A session after the panel. The group suggested having 2 mic runners on each side of the auditorium for the Q & A session.
Maggi will work on an interview piece with the members of the MSA and will work to have it published in the Gazette. Tom will also work on a press release and will ask SATV to tape the event.
It was discussed to have some visuals aides prepared, both about Muslims and about the No Place for Hate Committee. Some ideas for visuals include posters of a historical timeline of significant events in the Muslim world, Muslims of today, ADL/NPFH material, and press releases and photos of past NPFH events. The group will meet again on Monday, December 3rd to finalize some more details. Tom will keep everyone in the loop as to the progress of the event planning.
Webpage
Tom would like to continue to add links and information to the Committee’s webpage. As of right now, there are links for meeting minutes and agendas. Tom will add the Mission Statement now that it has been formally approved. It was also discussed to have an “Additional Links” tab which will include links to the ADL homepage and other websites the group deems appropriate. A photo gallery of past and present events and a press release link should also be added. The group would like to also create their own logo and display it on their homepage. Tom will check with the ADL to make sure the use of our own logo, in conjunction with the current No Place for Hate logo, is appropriate. Jerrie said she could have her graphic arts class design some logos for us as part of
a contest for her class.
Other Business
Jerrie mentioned that Margot Adler of National Public Radio (NPR) is willing to come to Salem on February 2, 2008 to partake in a Wiccan Panel Event. Margot will just need help with transportation costs. Jerrie said she will reach out to some local businesses, including the Salem Witch Museum, to see if they would be interested in sponsoring Margot’s trip and the event. The group discussed holding the event at the auditorium located at the Visitor Center on the Pedestrian Mall. Tom will contact Patricia Trap about this.
The next meeting of the No Place for hate Committee is scheduled for Monday, December 3rd, 2007 at 4:30 pm and will be held in the 3rd Floor Conference Room at 120 Washington Street.
Meeting adjourned at 5:50 pm.
Minutes recorded by Tom Watkins
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