10/28/2008 AFFIRMATIVE ACTION Minutes

Home Browse Search

Ms. Farren responded by describing the No Place for Hate community and the Committee's involvement in such educational activities as the Community Picnic and Fireworks, reaching out to the schools including 5 I graders at the Quashnet School, the high school diversity dance and a community yard sale at United Church Village featuring the pledge. High Schaal Exposition: On October 8,Ms. Farren,Ms. Murphy and Ms. Brown attended the Mashpee High School Senior Program to represent the Affirmative Action Committee and seek out students with an interest in developing a diversity mural wall. High school senior Cassie Fernandes,who has a fixture interest in Public Relations,has expressed interest in working on the project with the Committee. Ms. Fernandes envisioned utilizing a sidewalk near the entrance to the school or an area in town to share the message with all town residents. Permission would be needed from the School Committee and maintenance since it would be town property. Ms. Fernandes has just begun to consider images for the mural but would like for it to be the most meaningful for many. It was suggested that Ms. Fernandes and the Committee consider hosting a contest to generate design ideas and to involve more students, and then Ms. Fernandes would be responsible for completing the artwork. The AV Club at the high school may serve as a resource to notify students about the contest as well as document Ms. Fernandes' work on the project. The Diversity Club may also be interested in assisting. Flyers and rules of the contest could be distributed community wide. Ms. Farren stated that there was no budget for supplies and asked how that might affect Ms. Fernandes' ability to complete the project. Ms. Vaughn indicated that part of the senior project included the student's need to plan and organize the project,identifying needed supplies and then seeking out donations that will allow the student to complete her project. It was suggested that the project's connection to No Place for Hate may open the doors for some donations. Ms. Farren was in contact with Myriam Zuber, Executive Director of No Place for Hate program, who suggested a kickoff for the project, such as an announcement about the project, some time in November. Ms. Fernandes indicated that she will be seeking out mentors from the community, as well as a teacher, to advise her with the project. Ms. Murphy expressed interest in serving as Ms. Fernandes' community mentor. In an effort to share the mural and its message community wide,Ms. Farren mentioned the suggested idea from a former Committee member of designing a traveling wall mural. Ms.Vaughn suggested that the school's wood shop might be able to design and construct a wall that could be attached to a truck and be transported in a parade or moved to locations such as the county fair,the rotary, Special Olympics, Mashpee Night at the Pops. The traveling mural could then be stored at the high school, on display when not in use near the front door. The Committee discussed including the entire community in the development and creation of the traveling mural as well as acquiring media coverage for the project. Ms. Farren will provide Ms. Fernandes with information about similar projects in other Massachusetts towns. Ms. Murphy and Ms. Fernandes will schedule a time to get together and discuss the project. ANNOUNCEMENTS Next Meeting: It was discussed that the Committee typically meets on the 4`h Tuesday of the month,which may conflict with Thanksgiving week in November. The Committee decided to reschedule the next meeting for Tuesday,November 18 at 5:30, one week before Thanksgiving. 2