9/4/2018 AFFIRMATIVE ACTION Minutes

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addition of a Pride event, noting that they were not a Town sanctioned group, offering them greater flexibility. The Town had its own Affirmative Action Committee for Town employees, to address discrimination issues. However, NPFH had become a source for people who have encountered discrimination in Falmouth. The Falmouth Police Department has also volunteered to be part of the Steering Committee. Reverend Fields indicated that they reached out to all departments and organizations throughout Falmouth to introduce themselves. Mr. Horner inquired why the Committee was not Town sponsored and also inquired about the diverse make-up of the Committee. Reverend Fields responded that the Steering Committee consisted of four individuals representing gay, Jewish and Indian but that the group overall was as diverse as the Town of Falmouth. Reverend Fields indicated that they had not pursued being sanctioned by Falmouth but noted that the Town was very supportive. Reverend Fields stated that the Town's Affirmative Action Committee and NPFH shared a good relationship. Ms. Waterman inquired about whether Reverend Fields had worked with individuals encountering discrimination due to the receipt of public benefits and Reverend Fields responded that the speaker at the upcoming MLIC breakfast would be addressing economic justice. Mr. Horner inquired whether they had speakers from African American or Hispanic communities and Reverend Fields responded that they absolutely had speakers, with the majority of their work based on racial justice, such as sharing the film White Like Me, book-discussions for Between the World and Me and workshops addressing bias. Mr. Horner shared his idea of offering veteran parking spaces and whether Falmouth would be interested in doing the same. Reverend Fields liked the idea and agreed that wins were helpful in attracting visibility to a committee. Reverend Fields inquired whether the group would need to seek approval from the BOS to purse programs. Ms. Waterman inquired how Falmouth had navigated the current climate and strong feelings. Reverend Fields responded that the Steering Committee was interested in having crucial conversations, noting that at times they had encountered tension that typically came out of a deep hurt. Ms. Wilson suggested that there were pros and cons with a town sponsored committee that could create a sustainability. Reverend Fields pointed out that they would need to identify Mashpee's needs. Selectmen Cotton inquired about Falmouth's Affirmative Action Committee and relationship to NPFH and Reverend Fields confirmed that they were often involved with NPFH activities, but typically had not been a collaboration. The Chair emphasized that MIDC was not intended to serve an adjudicatory role. Reverend Fields emphasized that NPFH was focused on educating people. Mr. Horner shared his lifetime personal experiences and book that he wrote. Reverend Fields agreed that history needed to be understood through the sharing of real stories. Ms. Johnson-Graham echoed the importance of sharing personal stories to better understand the experience of discrimination. The Chair stated that there were many areas that needed to be addressed and stories to be told. Ms. Johnson-Graham described her work with Mashpee's school system and the need to correct history. Ms. Wilson referenced the importance of educating the young to value differences. Mr. Horner stated the importance of seeing color so that it could be valued. The Chair inquired how NPFH was funded and Reverend Fields responded that they received donations and served under the umbrella of the Cape Cod Foundation. Additionally, NPFH wrote grants to subsidize events such as the MLK Breakfast. Selectman Cotton suggested that funding could be challenging as a town committee in Mashpee. Reverend Fields emphasized the importance of doing something, finding the wins, hosting a panel of speakers to discuss their experiences on Cape Cod, developing a mailing list. Reverend Fields 3