Human Relations Commission Minutes - July 19, 2018
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Human Relations Commissioners of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the City Commission Room at City Hall at 12:00 o’clock p.m., Thursday, July 19, 2018.
The Human Relations Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Rachel Hoffman, Abdiwali Sharif-Abdinasir, Cheryl Schaefle, Laetitia Hellerud, Matuor Alier, Paul Jensen, Barry Nelson, Hamida Dakane, David Lanpher
Also Present: John Strand (Fargo City Commissioner), Vince Kempf (Cultural Liaison Police Officer
Item 1. Welcome and Introductions
Chair Hoffman welcomed Members to the meeting and introductions were made.
Item 2. Approve Order of Agenda and Minutes
Member Nelson moved the Order of Agenda and the minutes of the May 17, 2018 Human Relations Commission meeting be approved as presented. Second by Member Lanpher. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Member Hellerud Present.
Item 3. Welcome New Members
Chair Hoffman welcomed new Members Hamida Dakane and Matuor Alier.
Item 4. Narrative 4 Story Exchange: Dawn Duncan
Dawn Duncan, Narrative 4, provided an overview of the Narrative 4 Story Exchange program and its goal to use stories to bridge the empathy gap. She shared about the impact of the program and its goal of relationship building.
Member Sharif-Abdinasir Present.
Discussion was held regarding future growth of the program and using it as a tool to reach new communities and groups.
Item 5. Election of Officers (Executive Committee)
a. Chair
Chair Hoffman nominated Barry Nelson for Human Relations Commission Chair. Second by Member Lanpher. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
b. Vice Chair
Chair Hoffman noted Paul Jensen is the current Human Relations Commission Vice Chair and would like to nominate him to continue serving as Vice Chair. Second by Member Sharif-Abdinasir. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
c. Two Executive Committee Members
Chair Hoffman noted Cheryl Schaefle and Abdiwali Sharif-Abdinasir are the current Human Relations Commission Executive Committee Members and nominated them to continue serving as Executive Committee Members. Second by Member Nelson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 6. Inclusion Planning Update
Chair Hoffman noted that there is not a current update on the project as a meeting has not been held. Member Nelson noted that a budget is being developed.
Mr. Nelson and Ms. Hoffman provided a background of the Inclusion Plan, and the goal to develop a process and plan to engage the community to become more inclusive.
Planning Director Nicole Crutchfield provided a staff update from the Planning Department.
Discussion was held regarding the process and sources for gathering information.
Item 7. Funding Requests
a. Erasing Stigma Conference 2018 – F5 Project
F5 requested $500 for the Erasing Stigma Conference. Member Hellerud moved to approve $250 for the Erasing Stigma Conference. Second by Member Sharif-Abdinasir. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
b. All Nations Community Celebration – Golden Ridge Lutheran Church
The Golden Ridge Community Lutheran Church requested $200 for an All Nations Community Celebration to be held August 12th. Member Nelson moved to approve $200 for the All Nations Community Celebration. Second by Member Hellerud. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
c. The North Dakota Human Rights Film and Arts Festival – The Human Family
The North Dakota Human Rights Film and Arts Festival requested $500 for sponsorship, which had previously been approved in the 2018 Human Relations Commission budget.
Item 8. North Dakota Human Rights Film Festival Tickets
Chair Hoffman shared that information was provided in the packet about tickets and that the Commission will gauge interest regarding attendance.
Item 9. MLK Committee
Chair Hoffman noted that the MLK Committee will begin meeting next month and that Member Hellerud will be the Chair.
Discussion was held regarding interest in serving on the event planning committee. Members Hoffman and Sharif-Abdinasir volunteered.
Item 10. Night to Unite – August 7th
Ms. Hoffman noted that the Night to Unite event is scheduled for August 7th. Discussion was held regarding details of the event and the need to follow-up with CHARISM regarding the status of the event.
Item 11. PRIDE
Chair Hoffman noted that the PRIDE in the Park event is scheduled for Saturday, August 11th at Island Park. A volunteer schedule was included in the packet, and new commission members have the opportunity to sign-up for a shift.
Item 12. Adjourn
The time at adjournment was 1:07 p.m.