Community Relations Commission

Community Relation Commission Meeting Wednesday, January 6, 2021 7:00 – 8:30 pm Virtual Meeting I. Call to Order 7:05 pm II. Welcome everyone III. Roll Call – Present: Colleen Attwell, Katie Sivak, Saleha Jawaid, Larniecia Smith, Jennifer Sever, Rachel Bautista, Kay Frederick, Krista Selvey, Erica Nelson, and Tony Asta. Absent: Kristen Santiago. Guests: Laura Peccarelli and Judy Beavers. IV. Approval of Minutes – Colleen made a motion to approve November minutes. Erica seconded the motion. All members approved the motion. V. Old Business - Member Kristin Santiago to be removed from commission. After many attempts to reach her, there has been no response. VI. Committee Updates – a. Tony spoke about Festival of Cultures date, 9/12 or 9/19/2021. Krista Selvey is the new chair of Good Citizen Award committee. May 17, 2021 has been determined the date for upcoming year. Krista will let Sharon Barrett-Hagan know the date. b. Strategy and Planning – Jennifer and Rachel gave overview and asked for feedback. They will share it with Councilwoman Erica Bray Parker and plan to set up a zoom with Erica to go over strategy and ask her to be an additional liaison with the Council. Tony will set up zoom meetings with Erica Bray Parker, Elle Whithall, (DWA) and Vicki Austin (WCC). Rachel is talking with people in the community to see if statements can be further framed, positioned or enhanced. c. Expanding our Events – Rachel spoke about expanding our events and partnering with larger, nationally recognized events, Black History Month which is held in February. Are there local black-owned businesses that we can promote? Can we get a list? Women’s History Month is in March. Let’s support and promote Wheaton’s female community. Idea of “31 for 31’, daily posts of 31 woman past and present from Wheaton. # campaign – invite Wheaton residents to post on social media a female that they’d like to celebrate during Women’s History Monthly. DuPage Art League – gallery of female artists, display a physical painting with a biography in the store fronts. Rachel has started a google sheet with woman from Wheaton to highlight. Tony moved to go forward and solidify plans for Black History Month and Women’s History Month. Katie seconded. All members approved the motion. VII. New Business - a. Introductions – All commission members introduced themselves to the new guests, Laura Peccarelli and Judy Beavers. b. Rachel Bautista reminded everyone of the DEI Speaker Series via the Wheaton Public Library. Last one January 7 - Becoming Antiracist, she’ll send out the link. VIII. Adjournment – 8:16 pm. Tony motioned to adjourn, Colleen seconded the motion. All members approved the motion. IX. Next meeting: Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021