City Clerk, Human Resources Committee, Juneau City Assembly

Transcription

1 To: City Clerk, Human Resources Committee, Juneau City Assembly From: Juneau Human Rights Commission Mary Claire Bernstein Alavini Lata Jesse Kiehl Washington Parks Edward Hotch Geny Del Rosario Steve Wolf Re: Operating budget Last fiscal year the Assembly budgeted $5,000 for the Juneau Human Rights Commission. At this time we still have approximately $2,480 that has not been spent. We will possibly spend another $500 for advertising and expenses for the Community Potluck on June 18. That will leave approximately $2000 we will return to the city from the fiscal year. We are gradually developing programs and needing the funds, but did not quite get as far as we d hoped this year. We have committed to a Fall speaker to which we hope the $2000 can be applied forward. For : Fall Speaker: We hope to do a yearly event in the Fall highlighting a different culture each year, to educate the public about the cultures in their midst. In addition to a speaker, we hope to work with other groups to provide food tasting, films, etc. that all highlight that culture. We have committed to speakers for our Fall (September) main speaker event, and therefore request that the Assembly fund $2250 for the next fiscal year for this. The University will provide the venue, and we are using speakers from within Alaska. Coalition: The Coalition has been building slowly, and we have not as yet spent any money for this group. One activity the group has committed to plan is a movie series for the public, with discussion following each movie. For this activity series, some expenses will occur, and some seed money is needed to initiate such a series. Once this gets firmly grounded, we believe the group will be able to get grant funding to continue this activity. I Am Juneau series: Our I Am Juneau series was successful last year, but we feel that more advertising would bring more participants. This year we plan the following events for our I Am Juneau series: May 2: Storytelling/History sharing June 18: Community Potluck & tasting August 6: Music & Dance sharing 12

2 November 5: Community Potluck & program Since two of these events fall into next year s fiscal year, we ask the Assembly to budget approximately $1000 for these expenses. The I Am Juneau series helps groups come together to share their customs and traditions in a presentation style. However, deeper respect and understanding comes from activities such as the Fall Speaker event and the Coalition activities. The Commission feels that working at both levels will create a more effective base for intergroup respect and understanding. Our total request for fiscal year is $

3 JUNEAU HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION PROJECTED BUDGET Estimated Special Event: Educational Speaker for Community Program Speaker Fee $ 750 Speaker Travel (airfare) $ 500 Speaker Housing Provide personal housing Speaker Per Diem Donated Venue Rental Provided Publicity/ Public Relations: Invitations/ posters/ advertising $ 800 Food: Coffee/ Tea/ Water/ Baked Goods $ 200 Coalition activities: Film series; discussions Fees $ 250 Venue Rental $ 500 Publicity $ 200 Food $ 200 Ongoing & Miscellaneous Commission Expenses Publicity $ 500 Support of Community Events & Potlucks: Plasticware, $ 500 plates, etc. Venue $150 Approximate possible costs $ 4,550 14

4 Juneau Human Rights Commission Yearly Report 2010/ 2011 The Juneau Human Rights Commission (JHRC) has met twice a month and worked diligently outside of meetings as well to develop programs and ideas to create greater understanding between public agencies and minority groups and to promote harmonious intergroup relations within various sub communities of Juneau. In the summer of 2010, the JHRC sponsored a series of four events under the general theme I am Juneau. The idea was to have events where groups could share their culture through food, music, arts, and story. The events were: June 6 th : Potluck: Sharing ethnic dishes Twin Lakes park shelter July 11 th : Arts & Crafts Show: Sharing ethnic arts & crafts JACC August 22 nd : Music & Dance Performance JACC September 12 th : History & Storytelling UAS Lecture Hall Those that attended were very positive about the quality of the events. People learned new information about other groups in Juneau, and groups cultural traits were acknowledged and honored. On November 3, 2010 the Human Rights Commission sponsored a speaker, Eran Thompson, about human rights efforts in other towns. Mr. Thompson is a human rights advocate and president of the Not In Our Town organization in Billings, Montana. UAS generously provided their Egan Library space, and about 35 people were present to listen to Mr. Thompson. The JHRC used Mr. Thompson s speech as the impetus to gather group representatives in a Coalition group to work toward such goals as: supporting and representing those who are subjects of discrimination to improve communication with the institution involved, so as to better responsiveness and prevention. We have been involved in such activity with the Juneau School District, and counseling in a situation with Wildflower Court. sponsoring a film festival with following discussion about discrimination, bullying, etc. providing personal accounts of discrimination for local publication to create awareness of such situations. sponsoring listening sessions where groups could communicate their concerns, insecurities or goals that involve interactions in Juneau The coalition group itself has had a fragile beginning, and the JHRC is considering the best path to pursue to strengthen the group and move toward better progress. Some concern from the City about open meetings has also created some caution and confusion. 15

5 The Juneau Human Rights Commission is now planning the 2 nd annual I AM JUNEAU series events, which are scheduled as follows: May 2 Storytelling/History UAS Lecture Hall June 18 Potluck Twin Lakes Shelter August 6 Music/Dance JACC November 5 Potluck & Program Filipino Hall The JHRC has also planned for Fall Speakers on September 24. The speakers will be Byron Mallot and Walter Soboleff. The content of this event will be to present more knowledge to the general public as to the frustrations/concerns Alaska Natives encounter in Juneau and historical or cultural information that will better allow the general public to understand, appreciate and better communicate with Alaska Native citizens of Juneau. Our hope is to continue such a presentation each year with a different sub community of Juneau. 16