HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-09-27 - AGENDA REPORTS - HUMAN RELATIONS FORUMr -A
AGENDA REPORT
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Item to be presented by:
George Caravalho
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
DATE: September 27, 1994
SUBJECT: Santa Clarita Valley Human Relations Forum
DEPARTMENT:: City Manager
BACKGROUND
At the June 28, 1994 City Council meeting, Council directed staff to organize a task force
made up of representatives from the City, and to begin the process of implementing a work
plan that would address cultural diversity issues.
The task force is made up of the following individuals: Gary Mast, Neshia Brathwaite,
Arnold Gatilao, Lucia Nishimura, Anne Szot, Barbara Creme, Jerry Bathke, Rev. Lynn Jay,
Marc Winger, Bruce McFarland, Mike McGrath, Mike von Buelow and staff George
Caravalho and Cecilia Burda.
The task force has developed a mission statement, a set of proposed goals and a tentative
work plan. They are as follows:
Mission Statement:
The mission is to encourage, assist and empower the people of the Santa Clarita Valley
to reduce racism and discrimination, and to promote the benefit of human differences
in our community.
Proposed Goals:
1. Assess community needs, identify resources, and disseminate information.
2. Establish a structure for a human relations organization that can best implement the
mission.
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3. Stimulate, organize, and facilitate community dialogue, to achieve our mission.
4. Assist institutions and entities to adopt and implement policy that reflects the ideals
expressed in the mission statement.
5. Assist community by organizing and or/or facilitating projects and special events that
focus on this mission.
Proposed Work Plan for the Community to:
1. Encourage schools to promote comprehensive utilization of human relations materials.
2. Encourage all media components to present positive information and images of different
cultures i.e., multi -cultural calendar, newsletter, news items.
3. Promote the education of individuals in conflict resolution,
4. Support the development of a community cultural festival.
5. Assess community needs.
6. Promote human relations training to businesses, law enforcement agencies, city, schools,
and institutions.
7. Encourage establishment of a human relations library.
8. Encourage establishment of a human relations speakers' bureau.
9. Encourage establishment of a human relations office,
10. Examine and consider local, regional, and state adoption of legislative policies.
Members of the task force will be conducting a public forum on 'Thursday, October 13 from
7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. This forum will give the general public an
opportunity to voice their opinions about the process.
After this forum, the task force will have a clearer idea of how to proceed and determine if
the work plan is appropriate for this valley.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends Council review and accept the proposed goals and work plan