HomeMy WebLinkAboutEquityDiversity 2014-09-04 Minutes
EQUITY AND DIVERSITY MEETING MINUTES
September 4 , 2014
Present: Joan Hernandez, Aaron Draganov, Crystal Sweet, Melissa Hart, Nate Robinson,
Kathy Hougardy , Thong Ung
Absent: Kathleen Gantz
Staff: Joyce Trantina
Meeting was called to order at 5: 15 p.m.
OLD BUSINESS
Minu t es from the June 5, 2 014 and July 10 , 2014 Commission meetings were r eviewed and
approved.
Nate Robinson , Vice Chair, has assumed the role of Chair for the remainder of th is year due to
the expiration of the Chair’s term (Mary Hulvey) which expired 7/31/14. Nate also extended his
appreciation to Mr. Ung for providing refreshments at the Teen Summer kick - off event.
New Commissioners, Crystal Sweet, Melissa Hart, and Thong Ung, w ere introduced and
welcomed to the Commission. They each shared a few comme nts regarding their
backgrounds, experience and hopes for the work of this Commission.
Joan Hernandez shared some background information about how the Commission got started
and s ome of the early work that was done, and the group talked about prior projects: Girls on
the Run, book drive, cultural heritage events, translation services, sponsorship for Citizenship
classes, multi - cultural action committee, “walk in my shoes”, etc.
NEW BUSINESS
Aaron Draganov provided a brief school update, indicating that there are more students
enrolled than expected. He has moved to Showalter, teaching reading intervention, and
assuming the role of Dean of Students. The District’s focus this school year will be on
community/family engagement. The District has hired a new ELL Director, Assistant
Superintendent, and STEM Director.
The group talked about homelessness for Tukwila students, which is about 11% - almost 22% at
Thorndyke Elementary. Included in those numbers are kids who “couch surf” and move from
location to location, as well as students who “live” in hotels. Kathy Hou gardy shared that
student homelessness is primarily caused by a lack of relationships and support systems for
people who don’t have family or multi - generational support. This is less prevalent in our
refugee/immigrant communities, who are very multi - gener ational, family based.
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September 19 , the Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting the Community Heritage
and Cultur al Celebration at Foster High School from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Joyce will reserve
booth space with Parks and Rec., and follow u p with commissioners for sign - ups at the booth.
In addition to the world map, the group decided to ask people to share info. by filling out a
small paper that says….”I’m from _________________ and my favorite tradition is ________”
We will also have cand y and other give away ’ s in the booth.
Joyce gave a copy of the Ordina n ce establishing the Ethi c s Board to the Commissioners.
Training for Commission Chair’s will be held by the City Attorney in the first quarter of 2015.
Joyce gave the new members a copy of the handbook and Conflict of Interest sheet to sign.
Joyce shared some of the efforts city is working on Commu n ity Connectors, need to keep
growing our community outreach efforts.
Nate provided information about the City’s desire to establish an E q uity Team , in an effort to
keep the City’s cultural competency efforts moving forward. This team will form their own
work plan, and provides an excellent opportunity for employees to grow individually and
collectively around equity, and eventually help Ci ty departments look at policies and practices
through an equity lens. They will be “ambassadors” who help lead this effort for employees.
This work will complement the efforts we are making with our Community Connectors
program, which is targeted to help the City improve outreach efforts in our diverse
communities. He also mentioned that Group Health provided volunteers to help with the Teen
summer kick off festival, and they are also providing school supplies for students at Showalter.
We are hopeful t hat this will begin more dialogue and interaction (and community
involvement) with Group Health representatives.
Melissa shared that the Washington State Legislature is requiring elected/public officials
(including boards and commissions) to receive open government – public records training. This
requirement went into effect July 1, 2014. We may be hearing more about this in the near
future.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6: 3 0 P.M.
NEXT MEETING – OCTOBER 2, 2014