Community Relations Commission

CITY OF WHEATON COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES – FEBRUARY 7TH, 2018 I. Call to Order: by Gail Forrest at 7:05pm II. Welcome III. Roll Call Present: Roll Call Absent: Gail Forrest Colleen Attwell Vickie Miller Erik Miller Tony Asta Leslie Day Shayne Moore Ronnie Gillis Erica Nelson IV. Citizens to be heard - none V. Approval of Minutes The following leadership changes were made and approved (January minutes amended): Wheaton World Tour – Tony Asta, Lead / Erica Nelson co-chair Make a Difference Day – Open Lead, Ronnie Gillis co-chair Communications – Shayne Moore - change title to “Communications” Action: Gail agreed to set up lunch with City of Wheaton PR (Thrower and Bishel) and Moore to explore synergies. ALSO OPEN: Military Lead and co-chair; Good Citizens Co-Chair - Commission members introduced themselves - Sign up for the Weekly Wheaton Newsletter and calendars - Join “What’s Going on in Wheaton” on Facebook VI. Continuing Business Erik has submitted the budget to the City Council. Discussion focus today on priorities and how the budget is used. Erik: Purpose of commission is to focus on getting people in the community into activities. Need additional dollars put towards communication about the events. Shayne discussed the possibility of having a separate Facebook page and expanding Social Media usage.  Discussed the Military Projects program – team agreed that linkage to City of Wheaton focus/needs vs.current out of state focus is desired. New Fort Riley leadership is opportunity to refocus priorities to Wheaton. Is there way to plug in opportunities for connecting Veterans locally into other Commission activities? Action: Gail agreed to follow-up on identifying additional commissioner to add for military projects/initiatives. Agreed to reduce the budget for the Military Projects (Stocking initiative) and reallocate to other priorities. Will have further discussion about how to use those dollars in other projects. Tony: Asked for input on World Tour Day. Talked about a program through Burning Bush partnering with World Relief - “Room at the Table” as well as highlights of what some other communities do to recognize/build cultural diversity, Gail: Talked about philosophy of “sponsorship” for the Commission to add revenue/ enhance limited budget available. Team agreed that such sponsorship initiatives at least once a year are desirable to allow more budget/activities for the community. Leslie Day offered to be lead on the Business Sponsorship Initiative and will connect with sponsors from prior years. Focus for 2018 – as in recent past – will be soliciting sponsors for Make A Difference Day banners (50 banners.) with initial goal of $5,000. Action: Leslie to draft approach/plan/timeline. Shayne: Asked how Wheaton College has been involved if at all in WCRC? There is no current activity with the college and the Commission; this is an opportunity for us. Erik: Explained World Tour activity held at the Wheaton Library and in Adams Park. (End of May in 2017). Action: Tony to determine event date and draft approach/plan/timeline. Shayne: Suggestion - Commission develop a project and communication calendar to lay out the annual events. Action: Shayne to draft. Action: Vickie to draft approach/plan/timeline for Good Citizens Day and to coordinate with Moore/Bishel/WCRC. VII. Project Budgets – Action: Erik will provide draft of use of running and reserve budgets at next meeting based on these priorities in order: a. Communications Initiatives b. Wheaton World Tour c. Good Citizen Awards d. Make a Difference Day e. Military Projects VIII. New Business - None IX. Commissioner Comments - Monthly meeting schedule expanded half an hour to 7:00pm-8:30pm to ensure adequate discussion of activities. - Next activity – May 21, 2018 – Good Citizens Awards at City Council Three categories for awards – High School, Adult, Groups. On-line application. X. Adjournment Ronnie Gillis moved to close the meeting Vickie Miller seconded All in favor, meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30