HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 8, 2011
City o~ Minutes/Meeting Summary
Advisory Committee on Diversity
i i Thursday, September 8, 2011
PICKERING 7:00 pm
Pickering Civic Complex, Meeting Room #4
Attendees: Kevin Ashe, Councillor, Ward 1
Kirk Mark, Chair
Catherine Reidt, Co-Chair
Misha Biswas, President, (YOU)nity, Pine Ridge High School
Christy Harper, Pickering Public Library
Margaret Lazarus, Valley Farm Public School
Carlisle Miller, Community Appointee
Neha Mohan, VP, (YOU)nity, Pine Ridge High School
Devinder Panesar, Community Appointee
Preet Panesar, Dunbarton High School
Alysha Singh, Secretary of YOU)nity, Pine Ridge High School
Marisa Carpino, City of Pickering
Jody Morris, City of Pickering
Absent: Fred Gibson, Pickering Carib Canadian Cultural Association
Alma Sandoval, Hispanic Canadian Alliance of Ontario
Jacob Yacoumidis, Community Appointee
Keith Richards, DRPS
Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status
Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as
a ro riate
1.0 Welcome & Introductions Kirk Mark
K. Mark welcomed everyone to the meeting and round-table
introductions were completed for the guests.
The agenda was amended to include review and approval of
the agenda and minutes.
2.0 Delegations
2.1) Oshawa Power
Mark Strickland and John Wiggins from Oshawa Power appeared
before the Committee and provided an overview of their
organization. They explained Oshawa Power is a member of the
National Basketball League of Canada set to begin play for the
2011-12 season. Based in Oshawa, Ontario, the Power will play
its home games at the General Motors Centre. Their first home
game is scheduled November 2nd. They are drawing players
from other leagues such as the NBA, NCAA and at least 2 of
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the team's players will be Canadian. Game tickets will be
priced affordably.
They are interested in forming community partnerships at the
grass roots levels. To stimulate the game development, they
are considering camps, events and clinics and are very
interested in outreach opportunities at recreational basketball
programs.
2.2) BOSS Self Pro
Joanna Parris appeared before the Committee to provide an
overview of BOSS Self Pro. She informed the Committee that
BOSS is a charitable organization that offers character building,
personal improvement and etiquette classes to help students
and individuals gain the competitive edge by empowering them
with the tools to ensure that they become polished
professionals.
Through interactive programs, Joanna focuses on character
building, self esteem, self respect and respect for others. This
interactive program focuses on character building, self esteem,
self respect, and respect for others.
Joanna has a program called Old School is the New Cool, an
etiquette program for students. K.Mark suggested developing a
curriculum for grade 10 students.
M. Biswas thought this would be a good session during the
(YOU)nity Camp in March. Joanna provided M. Biswas with her
card.
3.0 Review and approval of Agenda
The agenda was reviewed and amended to include the
following:
-Review and approval of Agenda
-Review and approval of Minutes.
-Business Arising from Minutes
Moved by C. Harper
Seconded by C. Reidt
That the Agenda be approved as amended.
4.0 Review and a roval of Minutes
The minutes of the June 9, 2011 meeting were reviewed and
approved.
Moved by C. Harper
Seconded b Councillor Ashe
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That the Minutes of the June 9, 2011 meeting of the Advisory
Committee on Diversity be approved.
Carried.
5.0 Correspondence
M. Carpino advised the Committee that August 15, 2011 had
been proclaimed by the City of Pickering as "India
Independence Day".
6.0. Event Updates Marisa Car ino
In your Own Words & Expressions
M. Carpino provided an update with respect to the program.
The deadline for submissions is December, 2011.
M. Carpino provided details with respect to the judging and
noted that a third judge is required for the written category.
Moved by Councillor Ashe
Seconded by C. Harper
That Chris Alexander, MP, Ajax-Pickering be invited. M. Carpino to action
Carried
Heritage Day
Cultural Groups will be invited in participate in November.
Survey Update
C. Reidt voiced concerns regarding the objective of the
questionnaire.
Kirk Mark suggested that we need a method to engage people
in a positive way. To determine their needs we require a tool
such as a. survey with a couple of questions.
Marisa Carpino reviewed the terms of reference for the
committee and Kirk Mark thought the terms should shape the
questions.
Councillor Ashe suggested 3 or 4 open ended questions
focusing on the goals of the committee.
Misha suggested that we need to define what students think
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and how this will lead to actions to engage.
YOU(nity) Activities
Coffee House is coming up in November.
They are interested in recruiting more committee members from
other High Schools and will also approach Notre Dame and
Pickering High School.
Kirk Mark suggested organizing a trip to an Oshawa Power
game.
7.0 Other Business All
Discussions arose about teen programs and activities in the
City of Pickering. Misha expressed that there is a lack of
programming in the City for this group. Committee Members
discussed alternative program areas such as Papps. Kirk Mark
also suggested opening a school on a Friday night. Other
possible program that were suggested are cooking and gaming
and volunteering at not-for-profit organizations such as a
homeless shelter.
Marisa Carpino advised the committee that the City currently
has 5000 members in Free Teen Stuff.
Marisa Carpino will access Stats Canada to determine the M. Carpino to action
number of teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18 living in
Pickering.
Advisory Committee Policy
• 2012 workplan due by November
• Review of 2011 projects and develop report
• KM will present
M. Carpino will speak with the City of Pickering and the M. Carpino to action
Pickering Public Library resources to book facilities and provide
other resources.
7.2) CCAN Program
K. Mark informed the Committee that this program had received
good participation on Saturday and noted this was a good
model on which to build successes on. He stated he would like
to see more youth involved from Grades 8 through 12' and
suggested Amar be invited in January 2012. He also noted a
need to confirm dates and et a head start on the planning. A
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youth soccer clinic was also suggested.
7.3) 2012 National - NCORE
Discussion ensued with respect to the 2012 National with
regards to sponsoring, costs and researching other
conferences. It was suggested we submit a motion to Council
in October to request funds and approval for the project.
6. Next Meeting Kirk Mark
The next meeting will be held on October 13, 2011.
Meeting Adjourned:
Copy: City Clerk
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