Normal Human Relations Commission
February 15, 2005 7:00 PM
Normal City Hall
Chairman Hathway called the meeting to order at 7:10 pm.
Present: Chairman Hathway, Commissioners, Laurie Bergner, Tim
Harshbarger, Ramesh Chaudhari, Mari McKeeth, Evelyn young
Absent: ISU Student Government Vice President
Others: Staff: Jennifer Hanna, HR Generalist
- Approval of Minutes from the December 6, 2004 Meeting
Commissioners Mari McKeeth and Laurie Bergner moved and seconded to approve the minutes from the December 6, 2004 meeting. With no further discussion the minutes were approved by a unanimous voice vote.
- Diversity Project, Jeff Schwartz
Jeff Schwartz discussed the upcoming trip to Chicago where the group will learn about the cultural history of Chicago. He discussed the need for increased funding due to the location of the trip. He requested funding again this year to help in sponsoring a student to go on the trip this coming summer.
After Mr. Schwartz’s discussion. The commission discussed the possibility of a higher sponsorship than past years. After the discussion Evelyn Young moved to give $600.00 to sponsor a student to go with the diversity project. Ramesh Chaudhari seconded the motion. After more discussion, Evelyn Young amended the motion to a $1000.00 sponsorship for a student to attend the Diversity Project trip to Chicago. Ramesh seconded the amended motion. With no further discussion the motion was approved by a unanimous voice vote.
- Complaint Update
Staff informed the commission about the 3 complaints still outstanding.
They are Sexual harassment in employment, ethnic origin in public accommodation and race in employment. The sexual harassment complaint has had a successful conciliation, an agreement has been drafted and is currently with the parties’ attorneys for review. The other 2 complaints are new and will be contacted shortly to schedule a conciliation hearing.
- King Program Update
The commissioners all agreed that the change in order of the speaker and the award presentation was better than the previous order. The head table did not receive a desert and it was suggested that the Interstate center have 1 or more people solely serving the head table. Chairman Hathway stated that there were many empty reserved tables, and that staff should remind the corporations reserving the tables that if they want to sponsor a group of youth that would serve the community better than taking up a table and not showing up. He also suggested that corporations that want to reserve a table could pay more for the table than the general public. Evelyn Young suggested that another award category be added. A professional award for those that work in the human relations field. She feels that there are a lot of deserving people who work in the field that should be recognized. Ticket price was a discussion topic as well and it was decided that it would be put on the agenda for the next meeting.
- Concerns
Ramesh Chaudhari stated that the commission should have a policy to limit presentations to a maximum of 15 minutes in length and meetings should last no more than 1 hour in length. Staff stated that she would look into this topic and come back to the next meeting with some sort of answer for them.
Chairman Bob Hathway announced that the March 2005 meeting would be his last meeting. He is resigning his position effective March 16, 2005.
- Adjournment
Commissioner Ramesh Chaudhari moved to adjourn the February 15, 2005 meeting of the Normal Human Relations Commission at 8:50 PM. Commissioner Evelyn Young seconded the motion. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
Respectfully submitted
Jennifer Hanna
Human Resources Generalist