02/09/2021 MASHPEE INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY COMMITTEE Minutes

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the reader. The chair asked if this could be combined with books on race. The chair also noted that Coutit Library has a book club on race and the Nantucket Athenium recently ran a discussion on the book Caste facilitated by a local minister. 3. Chamber of Commerce/Mashpee TV. JoAnn Nadeau talked to Katie Acheson,the Executive Assistant. The Executive Director Mary Lou Palumbo has retired Ms Acheson reports that the office is open and that new residents are stopping in or emailing. Our brochure is available. The budget is tight because big fund raisers couldn't be scheduled. Ms Acheson is willing to attend our meetings and would provide a representative from the business community. The chair will arrange for this in the future. 4. LGTBQ The chair has informed the Human Rights Club of the scholarship available honoring Mr. Sam Samuelson. Sue Wilson reported that Cape Cod Pride and PFLAG continue to offer programs a few times a week via Zoom. 5. Social Media: The chair asked Mohamad Faid to review FB pages and web sites of the various committees in the coalition along with town departments. The idea of an information only site could be considered. The chair had contacted local sites to see if the committee could post announcements but the committee would need to be a member of FaceBook. The chair noted that sites like Mashpee Message can be a positive force giving the example of a post that resulted in a number of local volunteers to help the elderly with scheduling vaccinations. 6. Police Department. The chair reported that committees in the coalition have been questioning why acts of vandalism involving racism are not designated as hate crimes. Katie Hennessey explained that investigations can be difficult, are pursued ,and all police records are available to the public. The chair asked what elements must be present in order to be identified as a hate crime. Officer Hennessey will discuss with Chief Carline. 7. Interfaith Panel. The chair reported that slow progress is being made. She is seeking participation from a local rabbi as Mashpee does not have its own synagogue. Already on board is Father Healey from Christ the King, Jonathon Singer of the Mashpee Congregational Church, Richard Donahue from the Baha'i group,Anita Peters (Mother Bear) from the Wampanoag Tribe. She is still seeking a representative from the Mashpee Baptist Church which unfortunately lost its pastor. Once established the 6 person panel will participate in a Zoom program through Mashpee TV. Joanne Nadeau referenced a similar group in New Bedford which meets regularly for listening sessions. Plymouth has a similar inter faith group. 8. Mashpee Enterprise: Dan Kupferman reports there was positive feedback on his column on Billy Pocknett. Tribal members and Billy himself were pleased because their story needs to be told. Dan's March column will focus on the committee's involvement with the schools specifically the Human Rights Club and the Human Rights Academy. He is coming in with a fresh look. The chair also noted the very informative monthly article written by Supt. DeBoer 9. Town: The chair noted that the Senior Center offers an opportunity for elders to communicate via Zoom every Tuesday. 10. League of Women Voters. The Cape Cod chapter has an education subcommittee led by retired Supt. Of Schools Karen Mazza. A resource directory is being generated with references pertaining to racial and social justice. This will be sent to all schools. 11. Coalition. The new Cape Cod/South Shore Coalition is meeting every two months and Mashpee provides the Zoom connection. It is growing in leaps and bounds It recently added the Bourne Wareham Race Amity Group and the Bourne Inclusion and Equity Committee from the Bourne Public Schools.Aside from meetings the committees are networking via email. The chair will pursue the possibility of committees joining together to provide programs and sharing resources. 12. Tribal :As Winnie was not present the chair discussed the tragic loss of Selectman David Weeden's young grandson. She paid her respects prior to the funeral ceremony representing the