Simsbury Spirit Sub-Committee Minutes

Community for Care

SPIRIT Council

DRAFT Meeting Minutes

January 23, 2020

Eno Memorial Hall – Old Court Room

Attendance: Gertrude Banks, Nicholas Boulter, Carol Clark-Flanagan, Cheryl Cook, Kristen Formanek,  Mary Margaret Girgente, Lisa Grant (visitor), Tenesha Grant, Lloyd Huie, Nicole Kodak, Todd Kushman, Nkosi Lee, Susan Homrok-Lemke, Joan Robichaud, Angela Soto (visitor)

Meeting Called to Order at 6:10

No Public Audience in attendance

Introductions of two visiting potential members were made.  Angela Soto (resident) and Lisa Grant (resident and public school music and theater teacher). 

Action Items

Minutes were reviewed from December 5th, no noted changes

A minor edit to the approved Vision statement was presented to have it read as a proper vision statement.

Former vision statement:  To welcome, celebrate and take action to support diversity and inclusion in Simsbury
Proposed vision statement: Simsbury is a town that welcomes, celebrates and takes action to support diversity and inclusion among current and future community members. 

A motion was made, seconded and passed. This will be the SPIRIT vision statement. 

A discussion was had regarding SPIRIT Council joining with Community for Care (C4C) to co-host a public education event Wednesday, March 11th on Implicit Bias at Simsbury Public Library.  All are in agreement for this to be the first public event for the SPIRIT Council. We will also attend the C4C business meeting at 5:45 and event at 6:30, both at Simsbury Public Library.  Format will follow C4C format with expert speaker with panel discussion and public questions/answers.

Since SPIRIT council is ready to start publicity, we discussed introducing ourselves via SCTV.  Cheryl Cook has secured Karen Handville’s agreement to produce a thirty minute program whenever we are ready.  Carol Clark-Flanagan volunteered to prepare a PSA for SPIRIT council.  Kristen Formanek will develop a photo release for use of photos in SPIRIT town publicity.  Nicole Kodak shared the talking points discussed in December with Lloyd Huie and Carol Clark-Flanagan for use in publicity.

Sub-Committee Reports

Slogan - Kristen Formanek submitted proposed slogan and hashtag to Deputy Town Administrator who conferred with Town Attorney.  The proposed slogan Building Tomorrow: Together is used and trademarked.  Thus we may not use it. The hashtag #simsburyontherise is clear.  The committee brainstormed at length and agreed to Simsbury on the rise as our slogan.  There is interest in possibly using RISE as an acronym in the future.  The leading idea on the table is RISE: Relentless and Intentional Support of Equity. 

Data and expert – no one was available to present.

Outreach - Lloyd reported on the outreach sub-committee.  They will use the slogan in preparing a letter introducing SPIRIT council to roughly 300 local businesses and organizations including who we are, our mission and vision, and how they may join us supporting diversity and inclusion in Simsbury.  We will invite them to come to our March 11th Implicit Bias presentation.   We will publicize the In event through the town website, town Facebook page, flyers, and SCTV

Committee Reports

Sue Lemke updated the council on the Equity Council work.  They are continuing work on the district’s Equity Stance in three parts:  Definition, core beliefs, and actions.  The group will begin to look at Simsbury school equity data.   

New Business

Simsbury 350th Celebration – Cheryl Cook updated and shared the concept of “the longest table” event that Charleston, SC is holding in celebration of their 350th anniversary.  The council is very interested in modifying this idea to include with Simsbury’s 350th anniversary.  We discussed a fall event perhaps at Simsbury Farms.  Formats could include residents bringing food celebrating their heritage or just a gathering to socialize and eat together.  Consideration for health department standards in sharing food were noted. 

Community for Care calendar – March 11th program on Implicit Bias program to be co-sponsored by SPIRIT.  May 13th possible event on domestic violence.  We will consider a possible book discussion or movie showing with facilitated discussion for future C4C/SPIRIT events supporting diversity and inclusion in town.  It was noted Simsbury Apple cinemas are showing neither Harriet nor Just Mercy.  We agreed to approach them to discuss this.  These movies may be candidates for a town screening when available.

Old Business – none discussed.  Issues raised during December meeting include seeking Board of Selectman representation on council and SPIRIT introduction to BOS.  This meeting would provide time to request BOS approval to SPIRIT Council town-sanctioned and monitored social media presence. 

Meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm.  Next meeting to be held on February 27th, 2020.

Respectfully Submitted

Nicole Kodak and Cheryl Cook

Simsbury SPIRIT Council