6/26/2018 AFFIRMATIVE ACTION Minutes

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Selectmen would need to rescind the existing Affirmative Action Policy, but a Bylaw would need to be submitted by July 9. Mr. Collins suggested that the Committee incorporate what they wanted in a new draft policy, to be brought to the Board of Selectmen. Selectman Cotton suggested amending the existing Policy. It was suggested that the proposed Mashpee Inclusion and Diversity Committee Bylaw could be adopted as the policy. Documents were distributed to the Committee. Ms. Waterman noted that the Affirmative Action Policy may have been developed for Personnel and the Committee no longer served in an adjudicatory role. Chairman Stevenson inquired whether rescinding the policy would impact the Human Resources role in Affirmative Action cases. Mr. Collins responded that he was not suggesting that component be removed but to expand the role of the Committee with broader terms beyond Affirmative Action/No Place for Hate. Mr. Collins suggested that the Committee review the original policy, determining deletions and amendments, and develop a new policy, submitting it to the Town Manager’s office to be reviewed by Town Counsel. The final draft could then be reviewed by the Committee, with a vote taken to then forward to the Board of Selectmen for possible adoption, while at the same time rescinding the old policy. Ms. Waterman suggested the possibility that a full rescind of the older policy may be an easier method and Mr. Collins was in agreement, that in terms of process, it would be easier to rescind the old, replacing it with the new. Mr. Collins confirmed that the Committee would take a vote to rescind the old policy, replacing it with the new. Ms. Wilson suggested reviewing the current policy and determining any changes to be made. There was consensus that what the Committee created in Bylaw format would be redrafted into a Policy format. Mr. Collins added that the Committee would serve an advisory role to the Board of Selectmen. Since the Committee would develop Policy rather than Bylaw, July 9 would no longer be a deadline. Ms. Landry was familiar with the format needed for the Policy. There was clarification that the old policy would be rescinded with a new policy adopted. There was discussion whether the Committee would meet again, in July. It was noted that the Committee had already done most of the work. Ms. Waterman inquired whether they could use an attachment to the document, for clarification purposes, and Mr. Collins responded that they would want the Policy to flow smoothly. Ms. Stevenson expressed concern about rescinding the Affirmative Action Policy for the Town and impacts to hiring. Mr. Collins responded that they could cut and paste from the original policy. Selectman Cotton suggested reviewing the policy, using the Committee’s new text, cut and paste into the old document and providing it to Town Counsel for review, adding that the Board of Selectmen would be meeting every two weeks. The Chair again stated that the policy referred to hiring. Ms. Wilson responded that it was an opportunity to start fresh, looking at the old policy while incorporating new thoughts and ideas. Ms. Waterman agreed. Mr. Collins suggested not confusing the past with the present, noting that the Town was not looking to wipe out Affirmative Action, confirming that it was an HR role. Ms. Nadeau stated that the Committee would not be throwing out the Town’s Affirmative Action, which still had a role. Ms. Landry noted that the Policy did address hiring so it may be necessary to have another policy for Human Resources. Mr. Collins suggested the possibility of rescinding the whole thing and creating two policies, one for Human Resources and one for the Committee. There was further discussion noting that there was no set deadline. There was discussion about scheduling a meeting for July 10 or July 17, to be determined by email. There was discussion regarding the specifics of Town Counsel reviewing the proposed draft. Ms. Dami distributed re-appointment forms for signatures. The Chair will work with Ms. Landry to develop the new policy. 2