Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2019

Attending:
First District: Howard Sapper (Officer-At-Large), Dmitra Smith (Chair)
Second District: Faith Ross (Vice Chair), Zahyra Garcia                       
Fifth District: Tamara Murrell     

Regrets:
Fifth District: Christopher Kerosky

1. Call To Order – Mission Statement – Introductions – Smith      
   

   The meeting was called to order at 5:40pm

2. Approval of the November 18, 2019 Agenda – Smith
   Commissioner moved to approve the agenda as presented, Commissioner seconded. There was no discussion.

   In favor: Sapper, Ross, Garcia, Murrell
   Abstaining: Smith (as Chair)
   Motion Carried

3. Approval of the October 22, 2019 Draft Minutes – Smith
   

   Commissioner moved to approve the October 22 minutes as presented, Commissioner seconded. There was no discussion.                  

   In favor: Sapper, Ross, Garcia, Murrell
   Abstaining: Smith (as Chair)
   Motion Carried

4. Openings & Appointments – Smith                                                                                           
   Openings in 1st, 2nd, 3rd (3), 4th (3), and 5th
   Chair Smith announced openings and a possible 5th district candidate.
5. Public Comment on Non-Agendized Items – Dmitra Smith – 15 Minutes
   

   Due to Brown Act restrictions, Commissioners will be able to ask clarifying questions but will not be able to take specific action until a future date, if and when the topic is added to a regular agenda. 
   No public comment on non-agendized items.

6. Regular Calendar – Smith   
   
   1. Strategic Planning – Smith – 45 Minutes

      The Commission continued the discussion of areas of focus, Road Show meetings, possible media campaigns, partnerships and public outreach, and planning for 2020.

      Sebastopol was discussed as a possible first road show meeting in early 2020. Possible topics included impacts of the fire on low income and marginalized communities, an update on racism in schools and the work and expansion of TIDE chapters (Team for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity), issues facing trans youth, and the programs of the West County Teen Health Center.

      Commissioners Murrell and Kerosky to spearhead organizing the meeting, speakers and presentations, to be confirmed at the January meeting.

      Commissioner Sapper offered to contact Sonoma International Film Festival, seeking to arrange a human rights segment of the festival in which the CHR could help curate films and show its PSA, staring with the documentary film The Pushouts.

   2. Commission Brochure – Smith – 25 Minutes

      The Commission discussed updates and edits to the existing brochure for reprinting in English and Spanish. Chair Smith noted that the existing brochure has some outdated information and could use updated quotes, and asked commissioners to provide any suggested edits at the next meeting.

   3. Administrative items – Smith – 10 Minutes

      The Commission discussed ways to recruit more commissioners to vacant posts.

7. Ad Hoc, Liaison, Project Updates – All – When Applicable – 15 Minutes
   1. Standing Committees
      • Immigrants Rights – Commissioner Kerosky to propose ideas and/or programs/projects for this standing committee in 2020
      • LGBTQ+ Rights – Commissioner Murrell to propose ideas and/or programs/projects for this standing committee in 2020
      • Outreach – Commissioners discussed Outreach being a full commission project with various commissioners spearheading efforts based on a case by case project basis.
      • Rights of People with Disabilities – Commissioner Sapper to propose ideas and/or programs/projects for this standing committee in 2020
   2. Liaisons & Projects
      • Homelessness liaison – open
      • Independent Office of Law Enforcement & Outreach liaison – the Commission discussed ongoing challenges with the structure and operations of IOLERO and the importance of staying informed on their processes and work.
      • Junior Commissioner Project – Smith, Murrell – Commissioner Smith reported that committees had been formed in the areas of Environmental Justice, Homelessness, Immigrants’ Rights, LGBTQ+ Rights, Mental Health and Student Activism, with reports to follow in 2020
         
      • Racial Justice liaison – Commissioner Smith noted that SCOE partnered with the US Department of Education Office for Civil Rights to conduct a Title VI training for Superintendents in November and will follow up with SCOE to inquire about a subsequent training for teachers in the spring of 2020.
8. Commissioner Announcements/Communications with Supervisors/Tabling Opportunities – All – 3 Minutes
9. Additional Agenda Items for Next Commission Meeting – Smith
10. Adjournment