06/11/2019 MASHPEE INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY COMMITTEE Minutes

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moderators; increase visibility; involvement with neighborhood associations; support existing initiatives and partner with other organizations to create activities to encourage dialogues between groups; develop more cohesiveness between the Tribe and non-natives Diversity in Mashpee/Future Initiative Purpose Statement#1-The Chair indicated that she had data regarding diversity in Mashpee but suggested looking more closely at the Committee's purpose and focus on identifying an activity that would support the purpose. The Chair suggested that Committee members identify activities that would fit with Purpose#l. Introductions: Interested Volunteers & Student Representative for 2020 &2021-The Chair welcomed visitors to today's meeting and inquired how the Committee could go about welcoming and including volunteers in the Committee's efforts, particularly if there were no vacancies on the Committee. Ms. Brandt-Saret, member of the Falmouth Jewish Congregation and Falmouth's No Place for Hate, had inquired about the whereabouts of Mashpee's No Place for Hate banners. It was explained that the ADL no longer sponsored the NPFH program and the MIDC had been reformed. Ms. Davis expressed interest in racial inequality and assisted with organizing Race Amity Day in Natick, an event held on the second Sunday of June. Ms. Davis also referenced a monthly racial justice dialogue group with monthly topics and open dialogue. The Chair inquired how best to involve interested members of the public, whether they serve on subcommittees or as"Friends Of." The Chair indicated that she would follow up with the Town Clerk to inquire further and Ms. Waterman suggested inviting the Town Clerk to join a future meeting to advise. Students Cheyenne Hendrickson and William Baker, along with High School Principal, Marc Balestracci, also joined the meeting. Mr. Baker, a junior, referenced Mashpee's diversity and expressed his interest in creating an inclusive society and moving forward without holding others back. Mr. Baker has found Mashpee to be inclusive with its diversity. Ms. Hendrickson, a sophomore, added that support from others to be one's own person was motivating and created success. Ms. Hendrickson added that the small size of Mashpee's schools created a connected community and instilled confidence among students. There was discussion about the Human Rights Club and efforts to re-develop the club and Ms. Hendrickson's expressed interest in assisting. The Chair noted that former club advisor, Ms. Purdy, has offered to provide a power point presentation of prior club activities and Committee members expressed interest in the presentation. Ms. Johnson-Graham encouraged the students to let the Committee know if ever there were events they could help support. There was also discussion regarding the Human Rights Academy, but it was noted that there would be significant changes, including the elimination of the Human Rights Commission and town representatives, which would be replaced by the Barnstable County Rights Advisory Board. Copies of the Purpose were provided to the students for their review. The Chair asked for contact information from the students. Ms. Johnson-Graham reported to Mr. Balestracci that the sign, Land of the Wampanoag, created and built by students, had been destroyed and the sign removed. ADDITIONAL TOPICS The Chair recently attended a meeting of the League of Women Voters where Mashpee's Chamber of Commerce President received an award and noted issues of housing. The Chair suggested that it was a matter they may want to discuss further. The Chair recommended CNN's United Shades of America and matters of implicit bias and an online test available from Harvard. Cape Cod Pride was seeking volunteers for their June 22 Pride Festival and Falmouth's No Place for Hate would be seeking