HomeMy WebLinkAbout23 10 05 minutes SERJAC
Social Equity and Racial Justice Committee
Minutes
October 5, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
Due to a lack of a quorum this meeting was for informational purposes only.
1. Yamaguchi called the meeting to order at 5:00
Attendance: Yamaguchi, Simon, Geraghty, Houston, Seltzer (staff liaison), DuQuenne (council
liaison),
Absent: Santiago
2. Geraghty read the Land Acknowledgement and Houston read the Labor Acknowledgement
3. Echo Fields, chair of the Health and Human Services Advisory Committee, spoke of the work of
the committee. In addition to commenting on the common interests of both group she mentioned
the opening of the shelter scheduled for later this month and encouraged SERJ members to attend
the open house.
4. Geraghty reported on her efforts to research racism in Ashland. Her report can be viewed here.
She referenced the Mayor’s direction to the committee at the June meeting asking SERJ to do this
research. She will have more information at upcoming meetings. There was some discussion on
how to move forward.
5. Pride Parade: DuQuenne suggested the parade may be a place to recruit SERJ members. City
Councilor Jeff Dahle will be the backup council liaison to SERJ. Seltzer will add him to the
Zoom link for November. Simon noted that the Mayor and other councilors will be marching
behind SERJ with a City of Ashland banner. Yamaguchi, Simon and Geraghty will march in the
parade with the banner and pass out pride flags.
6. MLK Day: Simon informed the committee and DuQuenne that SERJ does not have the resources
or person power to be the lead for MLK day in January. DuQuenne noted that planning meetings
for MLK with BASE, SOU and the Chamber will start later in October.
7. Indigenous People’s Day: Yamaguchi noted that SOU is planning this event 11:00 – 4:00 on
Monday, October 9 in the courtyard at SOU.
8. Recruitment Yamaguchi asked people to let her know if there are people who would be willing to
serve. Seltzer was asked to develop something as to what SERJ is looking for in recruitments.
9. Update from Council and Staff Liaisons:
Seltzer is researching Asian Heritage flags and asked about the progress of the MLK flag
research. It was suggested that we have something custom-made. Houston might be able to
discuss manufacturing the flags at OSF. Houston committed to getting back to SERJ with
information by October 13. Simon asked Seltzer to pick a flag design and place the order if OSF
is not able to make the flags.
10. Adjourn: 6:30