Versailles-Midway-Woodford County Human Rights Commission (HRC)
December 1, 2016
Regular Meeting Fiscal Courtroom, Woodford County Courthouse 6:30 P.M.
Present: Sherry Brown, Tony Wilhoit, Donald Morton, Marilyn Daniel, Dan Brown
Absent: Sheila Harris, Angelica Muniz, Mary Raglin
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 P.M. by D. Morton, Chairperson.
Approval of Agenda: Daniel and Wilhoit made a motion to add the following items to the agenda: meeting quarterly and the upcoming MLK Breakfast. Motion passed and agenda approved.
Approval of Minutes
The November 1, 2016 minutes were presented. S. Brown and Daniel made motions to approve the minutes. Motion passed.
Comments/Questions from Members of the Public: None
Treasurer’s Report and Business
No Report
D. Brown noted that he has been reimbursed for the cost of the new tent.
Reports from Committees:
Education (Scholarship Committee): D. Brown reported that Tamia Jackson, scholarship winner, is planning to attend the January MLK Breakfast and speak to the crowd.
Fairness Ordinance Committee: Brown reported that he had discussed the issue of moving forward again with the Versailles Fairness Ordinance as decided earlier in the year by the HRC. The consensus of the Fairness Committee is to wait until the new members of the Versailles City Council are settled and to see what happens with the State Bill which would abolish all Fairness Ordinances in the state of Kentucky. The Commission unanimously agreed with the recommendation of the Fairness Committee.
Old Business:
Book Program: D. Brown reported that he would like each Commissioner to identify one possible funding source that could be approached for funding and be willing to approach the source with D. Brown’s assistance (if needed) beginning in February 2017.
Woodford County High School Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) Club update: D. Brown reported he attended the December GSA Club meeting. The students are discussing a coat/sox/glove drive for the month of February. D. Brown also reported that he coordinated the students, provided adult supervision for each group and recruited 14 students to work the Woodford Humane Society event at the December Kroger Wish List supply drive. The GSA Club students did a wonderful job.
Amended By-laws: Daniel reported that she sent a copy of the amended by-laws to each Commissioner.
ESL Presentation: There was discussion about the English as a Second Language (ESL) presentation by Jimmy Brehm, Chief Academic Officer of Woodford County Schools. D. Brown volunteered to contact Mr. Brehm and determine if he/team could attend the February 2, 2017 HRC meeting.
New Business:
MLK Breakfast: After discussion, Morton and Daniel made a motion to purchase an advertisement and a table at the upcoming event for $50 (ad) and $120 (table). Motion passed. Morton volunteered to coordinate efforts for the advertisement in the MLK program.
HRC Meeting Schedule Change: There was discussion regarding meeting quarterly. It was noted that a call meeting would be appropriate if a complaint was submitted or other needs arose. D. Brown noted that meeting every 2 months would keep the momentum going for the Book Program fund raising. After some discussion, Wilhoit and S. Brown made a motion to meet every 2 months (see schedule below). Motion passed.
Updated Meeting Schedule:
February 2, 2017
April 6, 2017
June 1, 2017
August 3, 2017
October 12, 2017 (2nd Thursday due to conflict with Fall Break)
December 7, 2017
D. Brown volunteered to coordinate details regarding the upcoming visit of Mike Coleman in order to address illiteracy and economic development.
Discussion followed regarding inviting the two mayors and county judge executive to a dialogue regarding employment of minorities in the county and cities. D. Morton volunteered to contact Judge Executive Coyle, Mayor Traugott, and Mayor Vandegrift and invite them to attend the June meeting.
Daniel made a motion for the revision of the first sentence of Article VII in the By-Laws:
The Commission shall meet as often as it deems necessary. Regular meetings will be the first Thursday of the month unless decided otherwise by the Commission.
Annual Reports to Government Bodies: Daniel volunteered to put together a format for the HRC Annual Report. She will send to Commissioners by email for our suggestions and approval.
2017-2018 HRC Officers:
By acclamation, the Commission approved the election of the following officers:
Donald Morton, Chairperson
Sheila Harris, Vice-Chairperson
Dan Brown, Secretary (Dan agreed to take the Secretary’s office and to help Mary Raglin transition into the position.)
Angelica Muniz, Treasurer
Post-Election Impact:
Daniel gave a summary of the Southern Poverty Law Report regarding the harassment and bullying of minorities and the LGBT community throughout the country. Daniel stated her concern as evidenced by data provided by the Southern Poverty Organization. D. Brown shared a copy of the Woodford Sun article noting two bullying incidents in the local schools. He also noted that schools are where the most incidents occur according to the Southern Poverty Law Report and that this was also true for Woodford County. M. Daniel posed the question to the Commission: What can we do? Discussion followed.
Upcoming Events, Duties and Activities:
December 31, 2016 - HRC Annual Reports due to the 3 governing bodies
January through August 2017 – Fundraising for Imagination Library Book Program continues.
Thursday, February 2, 2017- Begin 2017 – 2018 Budget Draft Presented to Commission
Thursday, March 2, 2017 at 6:30 P.M. – HRC will meet in Midway
Wednesday, March 8, 2017 – UN International Women’s Day
April 2017 – Finalize and submit 2017-2018 budget to governing bodies
Next meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 6, 2017. Mike Coleman will be present to discuss illiteracy and economic development in Woodford County.
Respectfully submitted, Dan Brown, Secretary