Human Right Commission Minutes 2020 Retreat DATE: February 3, 2020 LOCATION: 7 Rockbrook Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22901 Shantell Bingham called the meeting to order at 10:15 am. ROLL CALL: Lyndele Von Schill, Andy Orban, Ann Smith, Jeanette Abi-Nader, Sue Lewis, Ernest Chambers, Kathryn Laughon, Matthew Tenant, Shantell Bingham, Rob Woodside Facilitated discussion by Cristine Nardi and Mary Davis from the Center for Non-profit Excellence • High Functioning Meeting Norms o Ms. Nardi led an exercise during which Commissioners identified hopes and fears  Hopes • More support from the City regarding the office and our relationship. • We have one clear policy change presented. • Greater clarity and efficiency in our process. • To be a meaningful voice for change, heard and respected by City Council and City Manager • More visibility with City officials regarding policy recommendations • More visibility with the public regarding an interactive dialogue on issues that citizens care about. • Get more community members to attend meetings by contacting neighborhood associations, church leaders, and representatives from the underserved populations of Charlottesville. • Find ways to be more effective and vocal in our advocacy before City officials. • Follow outcomes of individuals bringing issues to the OHR; find out what are the roadblocks to effective remedies (what happens after referrals). • Attention and positive response from CPD. • Continued/increased opportunity to collaborate among HRC Commissioners on human rights issues. • More people attend regularly. • We get our policies passed with the help of City Council going along with us. • More resolutions. • Public and private sector partnerships.  Fears • Four more years of the Trump Administration. • The dance of the Police Review Board. • Charlene is leaving. That was an important hub for our work. • Policy review(s) are never heard by Council. • Continued lack of impact on critically important policies, especially related to L.E. • Bogged down in minutiae. • NRAO and local services • Not pursuing the more difficult options for fear of not succeeding. • Not aiming high enough. • The end of our impact because of the Council and City Manager. • Weakening of the OHR role and the Commissions voice and partnership potential. • Bogged down in minutiae by neo-liberal do-gooders who are worried about making true change. • Meandering aimlessly from idea to idea. • That the City doesn’t give us the wrong Director. • The we become more militant. o Ms. Davis led several discussions and activities that explored team function • Review of HRC role and responsibilities o Ms. Nardi led a discussion around the primary mission and function of the HRC o A key theme emerged of improving the effectiveness and impact of policy review and recommendations • Meeting agenda structure o Ms. Nardi led an exercise to review the HRC Regular Meeting agenda structure o She shared the following key principles  You drive the agenda. The agenda does not drive you.  Look forward vs. backwards  Watch for signals o Commissioners suggested the following recommendations for the Regular Meeting agenda  Things to add • Board packets should go out to Commissioners one week in advance of meeting • Agenda items that are informational only and require no action should be noted as such • Agenda items that require action should be noted as such • An agenda item that offers the option of creating new ad hoc committees • An agenda item to review next steps and actions • A moment of silence • State the mission at the top of the agenda  Things to keep • Matters by the public (required) • Written staff reports and short discussion • Other business (where Commissioners share updates about other meetings) • Updates from the Ad hoc committees o Materials should be included in board packets in advance  Things to lose or improve • Other business o Some Commissioners felt that this did not contribute toward moving the HRC forward • The agenda and attachments should be provided a week beforehand • Clarify the difference between business matters and work sessions • Move announcements to the end of the meeting • Put the most important items first Review of hopes and fears raised by Commissioners and identification of goals – Charlene Green • Key themes that emerged from a review of the Hopes o More City support o More visibility and attendance at meetings o Policy effectiveness • Ideas for 2020 Goals o Continue writing letters of support  Coupled with a better understanding of the supported groups  Grounded in the background work of the HRC o Motivate City Council and the City Manager to support the HRC o Pursue FEPA status o Advocate for response and action the City when providing recommendations o Increased public awareness o Improved HRC member attendance at meetings o Have clear priority City policy issue areas  ADA access for deaf and hard of hearing at City Council  LGBTQ+ employee rights and benefits  Equitable policing • Explore relationship with to the Civilian Review Board • Explore collaboration with the People’s Coalition • Explore HRC’s role in community/police relations  Housing • Potential advocacy around HB6 and HB357 • Explore relationship with the Charlottesville Low-income Housing Coalition • Explore relationship with the Housing Advisory Committee Discussion regarding report to City Council on February 18, 2020 • Review of key achievements by the HRC – Shantell Bingham • Review of education & awareness and facilitation & leadership actions – Charlene Green • Review of service provision data and emerging trends – Todd Niemeier Status of the OHR and Charlene’s departure • Charlene provided a summary of her reasons for moving on HRC Chair leads closed discussion Meeting Adjourned: 3:10 pm. ACTION ITEMS • All Commissioners o Follow-up meeting to continue retreat discussion o Wednesday, February 5, 2020, from 6pm to 8pm o Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church (Aldersgate Room) o 1901 Thomson Road • Todd o Post public notice for 2/5 meeting on Monday, February 3. o Type minutes from retreat and return to HRC before 2/5 meeting.