Community Relations Commission
Regular MeetingWheaton, IL · August 2, 2023
Minutes
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
7:00 to 8:30 pm
Gamon Room, Wheaton City Hall
In-Person or Virtual A endance
I. Call to Order Erica called the mee ng to order at 7:07 pm
II. Welcome
a. Welcome to new commissioners Andrea Clayton and Mariaines (Ines) Valdez
III. Roll Call
In Person: Meg Beasley, Andrea Clayton Sam Hardy, Mike Hodel, Saleha Jawaid, Erica
Nelson, David Sohmer, Ines Valdez.
Via Zoom: Sco Chedister
Absent: Laura Peccarelli, Marco Scola, Ben Waterman, and Angela Welker
IV. Approval of Minutes
a. Approval of minutes from June 7, 2023. David mo oned that the minutes be
approved as presented; seconded by Sam. Minutes approved.
V. Old Business
a. Na onal Guard 300th Anniversary - Partner Program
i. Recap of July 1 event, “First Shot at Ge ysburg”
1. Erica and David handed out yers at the French Market
2. David shared recap from DuPage County Historical Museum
a. An es mated that 150 people a ended the re-enactment
b. Fes val of Cultures - WCRC Program
i. Entertainment and cultural booth updates - Erica
1. Performances con rmed: Salsa del Norte, Murphy Roche, Midwest
Soarring, Funkadesi, and Wheaton College Gospel Choir
a. Outreach to World Relief for speakers to provide stories of
coming to DuPage County in between each act
b. Cultural groups - 13 con rmed groups, wai ng for 8 to return
commitment, 3 on list to contact
c. Budget is in good shape with $3,000 surplus due to increase in
sponsorships
d. Tony Asta and Haaris Uddin will emcee the event
ii. Sponsorship updates - David
1. Two nal sponsors secured
a. Amplify EFT for $500 - Silver
b. Innovator ETF for $1,000 - Gold
iii. Communica ons - Meg
1. Flyers are printed. Commission members are encouraged to take yers to
post in downtown and the south side of Wheaton
2. Save the date announcement made in August 3 Wheaton Weekly
iv. T-shirts - Sam
1. $250 - $350 for 25 to 35 shirts with two to three weeks lead me
2. Shirts for commission members, council members, and Key Club
3. Erica will send an email to commission members to get shirt sizes
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COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
August 2, 2023
v. Passport program - Ines and Angie
1. Meg, Angie, and Ines are meeting to discuss passport
vi. Student art submissions - Angie
1. Outreach to St. Francis, Wheaton North High School, Wheaton
Warrenville South High School, and Clare Woods as well as middle school
(home schooled children informed through art programs at schools)
2. Needs two commissioners to help Angie select artwork (Saleha and Ines)
3. Selected artwork - student will receive a $50 gift card
4. All submitted art will be displayed at festival
vii.Student volunteers - Andrea
1. Wheaton North Key Club teacher contacts identified
2. Two opportunities
a. Day of Festival of Cultures
i. Set up tables, clean up, and help with activities
1. 7 volunteers from 12-2 pm
2. 7 volunteers from from 4-6 pm
3. T-shirts and lunch provided to students
b. Flyer distribution
i. Saturday, September 2 and 9
1. 9:30-11:30 am both days
2. Mike is flyer distribution point person on 9/2
3. Ines is point person on 9/9
viii.Food trucks - Cilantro Tacos, Billy Bricks (pizza and ice cream), and Hello Boba
ix. Extra Volunteer Needs
1. Purchase toy giveaways as prizes for completed passports as well as a
“treasure chest.” Scott agreed to take research cost of 500 items
2. Someone to bring cooler with water bottles - Saleha
3. Erica will bring a first aid kit
4. Bring small bucket, rags, and table cleaner - Sam
VI. New Business
a. Partner programs
i. Native American History Month program at the Wheaton Public Library will
feature Chief White Winnebago “The Reintroduction of the Native Americans
into Illinois.” To be presented in conjunction with library and League of Women
Voters of Wheaton.
1. Meg motioned that we spend $100 from partner program budget to
cosponsor event; Sam seconded
2. Motion passed
b. Wheaton Gives Back - WCRC program with partners
i. Meg announced that the PRC will again collaborate with the commission to
present the Stuff-a-Truck day in October as well as the winter clothing drive.
c. Attendance
i. Erica emphasized the need to have a quorum with in-person attendance
VII. Public Comment
Bari Ericson from the Library clarified information about November program
Bill Donofrio of the DuPage Hispanic Alliance attended the meeting due to his interest in
the Festival of Cultures. He has worked on several similar events and will meet with Erica
to determine how we can work together.
VIII. Adjournment Motion was made to end the meeting at 8:12 pm
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Chair, Community Relations Commission September 7, 2023
Agenda
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
7:00 to 8:30 pm
Gamon Room, Wheaton City Hall
In-Person or Virtual Attendance
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82453359033?pwd=ZS8vQ016RmZ4emNONUFnbSttQ25kdz09
Dial by your location – 1-312-626-6799 - Meeting ID - 824 5335 9033 Passcode - 505110
I. Call to Order
II. Welcome
a. Welcome to new commissioners Andrea Clayton and Mariaines (Ines) Valdez
III. Roll Call
IV. Approval of Minutes
a. Approval of minutes from June 7
V. Old Business
a. National Guard Anniversary - Partner Program
i. Recap of July 1 event, “First Shot at Gettysburg”
b. Festival of Cultures - WCRC Program
i. Entertainment and cultural booth updates - Erica
ii. Sponsorship updates - David and Ben
iii. Communications - Meg
iv. T-shirts - Sam
v. Passport program - Ines and Angie
vi. Student art submissions - Angie
vii.Student volunteers - Andrea
VI. New Business
a. Partner programs
i. Native American History Month program in November
b. Wheaton Gives Back - WCRC program with partners
VII. Public Comment
VIII. Adjournment