HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 1, 2009 i
C111 00 Minutes I Meeting Summary
141 Pickering Advisory Committee
i i on Race Relations & Equity
PICKERING October 1, 7:00 2009
pm 0 pm
,
Main Committee Room
Attendees: Marisa Carpino, City of Pickering
Becky George, Pickering Public Library
Devinder Kaur Panesar, Community Appointee
Margaret Lazarus, Altona Forest Public School
Sethu Madhavan, Community Appointee
Alma Sandoval, Hispanic Canadian Alliance of Ontario
Jason Amos, Dunbarton High School, [YOU]nity
Chris Gordon, [YOU]nity
Lisa Harker, Recording Secretary
Absent: Councillor David Pickles, Chair
Fred Gibson,. Pickering Carib Canadian Cultural Association
Steve Holt, Community Appointee
Philip Howard, Durham District School Board
Raymond George Facey, Community Appointee
Sylvie Morel-Foster, Durham Catholic District School Board
Kirk Mark, Community Appointee
Constable Keith Richards, Durham Regional Police
Item / Details & Discussion & Conclusion = 'Action Items L Status`
-Ref # (summary of discussion)' (include deadline as
appropriate)
1. Welcome MC'
M.Carpino welcomed members to the meeting Agenda was
approved by members.
2. Update All
In Your Words & Expressions Contest
• M. Carpino provided an update to this contest. Copies
of the poster have been provided to the committee's
School Board reps. and have been distributed to every
school in Durham Region.,
• M. Carpino provided a letter, poster and contest
booklets (of the winning entries from 2005 to 2009) to
the superintendents of both school boards. The
contest booklets were requested to be provided to
each school as a resource to students and teachers.
M. Car ino has advertised the contest through the
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Community Page, City of Pickering website, Family
Calendar and Media Release.
• B. George inquired about whether there has been
outreach to the Montessori schools. M. Carpino to
action and follow up with the Committee.
M. Carpino to action
Community Survey
• M. Carpino distributed copies of the two surveys that
have been received to date.
• Results of the survey were reviewed as a group.
• A. Sandoval described the survey response from the
Hispanic Canadian Alliance of Ontario. One issue that
was noted by the organization was the need for
collaboration with other local organizations.
• The survey response received from the Devi Mandir
was discussed. Comments of interest included a need
for greater diversity in the employment sector and that
the organization would like to have a member of their
organization attend the monthly meetings.
• The Committee discussed making a visit to various
Pickering cultural locations and to use the visit as a
venue to informally discuss the survey and acquire a
response. The visit can also be used to introduce the
Committee to the community.
• M. Carpino advised that Councillor Pickles suggests
that we hold our monthly meetings at various
community cultural locations. The committee agreed
and M. Carpino will see if we can have our November
meeting at the Devi Mandir. M. Carpino to arrange
Coffee House
• C. Gordon provided an overview of the Coffee House.
[YOU]nity meets on a weekly basis at the Pickering
Public Library. Thus far there has been a great
turnout, with 18 members.
• Due to a scheduling conflict last year, the event will be
held later in the month this year. The tentative date is
November 20th
• C. Gordon will be contacting Don Terry from Ontario
Power Generation for tee-shirts that can be used at all
[YOU]nity events.
• C. Gordon will be contacting Starbucks for a donation,
obtaining performances, and [YOU]nity has yet to
decide on a charity to donate proceeds to.
• B. George suggested "Food for Fees", which the
Library is currently accepting. C. Gordon will be
accepting suggestions for the charity_ of choice and
reporting back to the Committee on their final decision.
• M. Car ino reminded C. Gordon that the City of
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i
Pickering can help promote their event with the
Community Page and Press Releases. There are also
funds available that may be used for [YOU]nity events.
3. Other' Business " All
City of Pickering Bicentennial 2011
• M. Carpino advised the committee that the City of
Pickering will be celebrating a Bicentennial in 2011.
Councillor Pickles wanted the committee to consider
this milestone when thinking about future events.
This includes deciding if events will be enhanced or if
the Committee would like to put on any other events.
• B. George suggested enhancing the "In Your Words &
Expressions Contest" by creating a statement that is
specific to the Bicentennial.
• D. Kaur Panesar suggested a merging mural of
cultures, or a travelling educational booth for schools,
and/or a monthly cultural day, which could include
different foods. To be discussed at the November
meeting.
Race Relations Forum
• M. Carpino asked committee members for ideas for a
guest speaker Ideas were brought forward. M.
Carpino to create a "short list" to forward to Councillor
Pickles for feedback. To be discussed at the M. Carpino to action
November meeting.
Heritage Day
• Members to contact M. Carpino if interested in All members to action
participating in Heritage Day. Deadline to sign up is
January 8/1.0.
• Committee needs to decide on exact location of event
(Food Court, Centre Court or both?)
4. Adjournment/Next Meeting All
Next meeting to take place on November 5, 2009.
Meeting Adjourned: 8:15 pm
Copy: City Clerk
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