SPIRIT Council Events Subcommittee Meeting Minutes

Meeting date: 
Monday, December 7, 2020

 

SIMSBURY SPIRIT COUNCIL
EVENTS SUB-COMMITTEE

 MEETING MINUTES

December 7, 2020

5-6 pm

Via Facebook Live Feed

 

 

ROLL CALL Attendees:

Sara Batchelder, Gene Ott, Nicole Kodak, Diana Yiesley, Nkosi Lee, Annalise Febus-Barlow

Kristen Formanek - Town Liaison

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

CALL TO ORDER 5:15 pm

 

PUBLIC AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS - none

 

UPDATE FROM THE CHAIR

Last Let’s Talk event was held on Dec. 3 for World AIDS Day can be viewed on Simsbury Public Library website. This was a moving event with powerful panelists.  Going forward we want to have events publicized 7-10 days in advance.  We would like to further expand the number of attendees at these events. 

Carol Clark-Flanagan volunteered to clerk for this sub-committee.  Motion made by Diana Yeisley to appoint Carol Clark-Flanagan as clerk.  Motion was seconded by Nkosi Lee.  All present voted in favor and the vote was unanimous.  The motion passed.

 

ACTION ITEMS

  1. Approved minutes from November 2, 2020, meeting

Motion was made by Sara to approve the minutes from November 2, 2020, meeting.  Motion was seconded by Gene. All present voted in favor and the vote was unanimous.  The motion passed.

 

  1. Assigned roles for Jan. 7 and Feb. 4 Let’s Talk events

January 7th Human Trafficking – Six contacts were identified as experts on human trafficking in CT.  Members were each assigned an expert to speak with regarding a panel discussion. 

 

February 4th Black History Month – Inclusive Housing in Simsbury, History of Redlining in CT, Section 8 Vouchers

For a different view to this month, the council agreed inclusive housing was a poignant topic in our overwhelmingly white community.  We want to explore the history of why and have leaders in this area join a panel to discuss how we got here and how we move forward to have more equity in housing.  Sara agreed to take the lead contacting experts through her work with Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance, Simsbury Inclusive Neighborhood Development Working Group, and SPIRIT Liaison for Planning Commission. 

 

The subcommittee also discussed the idea of a second Let’s Talk event in February on the topic of current experiences of teachers and students in Simsbury public schools and in town.  We will reach out to Sue Lemke about this idea and the suggested panelists including Vanessa Massiah, Angela Griffin, and several students. 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

  1. Discussed 2021 plans and budget requests. 
    Budget requests are due to Kristen Dec. 23rd. 

Given uncertainty of COVID restrictions and cost of nationally recognized speakers, subcommittee will focus on a summer cultural festival.  Diana and Nicole will prepare costs within the next two weeks in time for Dec. 23rd budget deadline. 

Permits

Meadows

Food trucks

Musicians

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

NEXT MEETING: January 4, 2021

 

ADJOURNMENT

Diana moved to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was seconded by Anna-Lise. All voted and approved.  Meeting adjourned at 5:58 pm.