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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 1, 2023 Page 1 of 8 Minutes/Meeting Summary Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce June 1, 2023 Electronic Meeting 7:00 pm Attendees: D. David D. Dill Z. Donaldson A. Fraser O. Grignon K. Hanson B. Loiseau S. Mascoll K. Petrolo V. Shaw Z. Adatia (Guest) J. San Antonio, Senior Advisor, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (Staff Liaison) C. Addo-Bekoe, Manager, People and Culture, Pickering Public Library (Staff Liaison) D. YewWoon, Community Engagement Coordinator, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion A. MacGillivray, Committee Coordinator (Recording Secretary) Absent: Mayor K. Ashe C. Canzius P. Martin C. Russell K. Smith Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 1. Welcome and Call to Order O. Grignon welcomed everyone to the meeting and called the meeting to order. J. San Antonio provided information regarding the Durham Annual Pride Parade and invited Taskforce Members to participate. 2. Review and Approval of Agenda Moved by S. Mascoll Seconded by D. Dill Page 2 of 8 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) That the June 1, 2023 Meeting agenda of the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce be approved. Carried 3. Disclosure of Interest No disclosures of interest were noted. 4. Approval of Minutes Moved by V. Shaw Seconded by D. Dill That the May 11, 2023 Meeting Minutes of the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce be approved. Carried 5. Presentations 5.1 Zhora Adatia Re: Confronting Anti-Black Racism Workshop Proposal The Taskforce took turns sharing what they love about Pickering. Zhora Adatia made a presentation regarding a proposal for a Confronting Anti-Black Racism Workshop. Discussion ensued with Taskforce Members regarding: • this initiative being an opportunity to team build; • concerns around the timing of the initiative given the Taskforce just formed; and, • the importance of this initiative for the Taskforce’s public engagement and messaging. Moved by Z. Donaldson Seconded by D. David 1. That the Taskforce proceed with the Confronting Anti-Black Racism Workshop; and, Z. Donaldson and D. David volunteered to be a part of the needs assessment for the Confronting Anti-Black Racism Workshop. Page 3 of 8 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 2. That two Members of Taskforce be a part of the initial needs assessment. Carried Moved by V. Shaw Seconded by K. Smith That Zhora Adatia be provided a payment in the amount of $100.00 for her services related to the Confronting Anti-Black Racism Workshop. Carried Taskforce Members inquired as to how this work will be undertaken and it was clarified that Z. Donaldson and D. David will be reviewing the content of the Confronting Anti-Black Racism Workshop. 6. Delegations There were no delegations. 7. General Business 7.3 Review Terms of Reference and Areas of Revision O. Grignon spoke to the Review of the Terms of Reference and solicited two Taskforce Members to volunteer to review the Terms of Reference and bring forward a draft to the Taskforce at the September Taskforce Meeting. 7.4 Volunteers for Communications, Social Media, Marketing & Budget O. Grignon provided a background of the social platforms that the Taskforce is on and indicated that the Taskforce is looking for Members to lead the Communications, Social Media, and Marketing efforts. O. Grignon indicated that P. Martin expressed interest in co-leading Communications, Social Media, and Marketing, and Z. Donaldson also volunteered to co-lead this area as well. D. Dill and S. Mascoll volunteered to review the Terms of Reference. O. Grignon to forward additional information around previous social media initiatives to P. Martin and Z. Donaldson, and it was suggested that P. Martin and Z. Donaldson meet with Shauna Muir, Supervisor, Public Affairs & Corporate Communications. Page 4 of 8 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) The Taskforce discussed taking photos for the Taskforce’s social media channels at the upcoming Pride Parade Event. O. Grignon provided an overview of the Taskforce’s past experience with a digital marketer to manage the social media channels, and explained the need to fund and acquire a digital marketer for managing the Taskforce’s social media. The Taskforce engaged in discussion regarding: • whether the Communications Team should first provide a budget proposal before providing funds; • the urgency to fund Communications, Social Media, Marketing given low inventories of marketing materials prior to the summer recess; • the opportunity to potentially obtain marketing material at low cost through D. Dill’s marketing company; • whether the Taskforce should consider approving a budget for Communications, Social Media, Marketing for the duration of the summer, rather than the remainder of the year; • clarification that the approved budget would be for acquiring a digital marketer and obtaining marketing materials; • the expected timeline of contracting a digital marketer prior to September 2023; • ensuring that there is a marketing plan and whether marketing materials can be budgeted quarterly; • whether a student or intern could be considered for the Taskforce’s digital marketer role; • whether dry fit shirts can be considered if the Taskforce is considering branded shirts; and, • the anticipated hiring of the digital marketer before September 2023. Moved by K. Petrolo Seconded by D. David Page 5 of 8 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) That the Taskforce grant up to $6,500.00 for Communications, Social Media, and Marketing from June – September 2023. Carried 7.1 Review of Executive Roles and Responsibilities O. Grignon solicited the Taskforce as to whether they wish to review the Executive Roles and Responsibilities. The Taskforce agreed to review this item in more detail in September. The Taskforce agreed to continue rotating the role of Meeting Chair. O. Grignon indicated that the Taskforce will be solicited over the summer for someone to volunteer to Chair the next meeting. 7.2 Stakeholder Representation O. Grignon spoke to the current makeup of the Taskforce Membership being residents, and solicited the Taskforce as to whether they would like representation from stakeholder or community organizations on the Taskforce. A. MacGillivray provided clarity as to how the Taskforce could add Stakeholder Organizations that they would like to sit on the Taskforce regularly, and suggested that the Taskforce have preliminary conversations with any stakeholder that they may be considering adding to their Terms of Reference. The Taskforce indicated that they would give this more thought over the summer and have a detailed conversation at the September Meeting. EDI Strategy - Community Working Group – Request for a Volunteer O. Grignon solicited the Taskforce for a Member to volunteer to represent the Taskforce on the City’s EDI Strategy - Community Working Group. D. Dill, S. Mascoll, and V. Shaw expressed interest in attending the EDI Strategy - Community Working Group, and that they will discuss/coordinate which one Member will attend each Page 6 of 8 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) J. San Antonio provided an overview of the tentative details of the EDI Strategy - Community Working Group. Discussion ensued with Taskforce Members regarding the dates not being confirmed yet and whether the Taskforce could select an alternate Member that could attend, should the primary Member not be available. 7.5 Upcoming Events, Planning and Budget Canada Day Event O. Grignon provided an overview of the Taskforce’s involvement in the City’s upcoming Canada Day Event. O. Grignon solicited whether any Members would commit to taking the lead on coordinating the Taskforces involvement in Canada Day, including attending a Planning Meeting during the week of June 5, 2023, planning a children’s activity, scheduling Members to attend the event etc. O. Grignon also explained the photo frame children’s activity idea and described the anticipated costs associated with the activity. Moved by B. Loiseau Seconded by D. David That the Taskforce grant up to $1,500.00 to the Canada Day children’s activity. Carried. Emancipation Day Event D. YewWoon provided a brief update noting that the Event is still in the early planning stages and that there is an opportunity for the Taskforce to be involved having a table at the event. O. Grignon solicited Members for a lead on coordinating details with the Region of Durham and scheduling Members to participate in this Event. Discussion ensued with the Taskforce regarding the anticipated date of the Event being August 1, 2023 from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm. session once the dates are confirmed. K. Petrolo volunteered to help with coordinating the Canada Day Event, noting that she will be unable to attend the Planning Meeting during the week of June 5, 2023, and that she is not available to attend the event on July 1, 2023. O. Grignon indicated that she may be able to attend the Planning Meeting in the event Keisha Smith cannot attend. D. YewWoon to follow up with the Taskforce to inform them when the planning meeting for the Emancipation Day event will be and whether someone from the Taskforce can attend. V. Shaw indicated that they would help with coordinating Page 7 of 8 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) International Decade for People of African Descent / ABR Identifier Event in collaboration with Pickering Public Library O. Grignon provided a brief overview of the Event and that the Taskforce will be bringing forward a Report to Council for approval for this Event. She indicated that her and J. San Antonio were meeting on June 2, 2023 to begin drafting the Report to Council and that there will be future meetings to plan the details of this Event. details with the Region of Durham and scheduling Members to participate in the Emancipation Day Event. B. Loiseau and D. David indicated that they would help with the International Decade for People of African Descent / ABR Identifier Event. 8. Correspondence 8.1 'Very hurtful, scary ... traumatizing:' Ajax man decries anti-Black racist posters, letters in Ajax, Pickering O. Grignon explained that this article was sent to Councillor Brenner by a Black-identifying resident and provided an overview of the incident. Discussion ensued with the Taskforce discussing: • the response by the Mayor of the Town of Ajax; • whether the DDSB has sent any letters out or taken any action regarding the matter; • whether the Taskforce could consider an education campaign to promote awareness of the issue; • the perceived emptiness of the standard responses to these types of incidents; • what the scope of the Taskforce’s response should be; • the Taskforce not taking on the role of spokesperson for the City on these matters; • whether there is a process for the City to handle similar situations in the community in the future; • the role for the Taskforce to provide advice to Council; • the opportunity to include working on a City process to handle situations like this in the Taskforce’s Work Plan. Page 8 of 8 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 9. Other Business Pride and Inclusion O. Grignon spoke to the importance of fostering inclusion in the community and encouraged Members of the Taskforce to attend the Pride Parade Event. City of Pickering EDI Strategy - Survey J. San Antonio provided information regarding the survey now available to the community regarding the City’s EDI Strategy on the Pickering Lets Talk platform. 10. Next Meeting The next meeting is scheduled for September 14, 2023 at 7:00pm. 11. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned. Meeting Adjourned: 8:49 pm