McHenry Times

City of Woodstock Cultural and Social Awareness Commission met Aug. 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

A Special Meeting of the City of Woodstock Cultural and Social Awareness Commission was called to order at 4:27 PM by Chairperson Juanita Vega. This meeting was held per the Governor’s Emergency Order due to COVID-19 with all members, Staff and the public attending remotely.

A roll call was taken.

COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS: None.

COMMISSION MEMBERS ATTENDING REMOTELY: John Kendall, Jose Rivera, Crystal Squires and Chairperson Juanita Vega.

COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Jaci Krandel, Curtis Price and Joe Starzynski.

STAFF PRESENT IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS: None.

STAFF ATTENDING REMOTELY: Human Resources Director/Staff Liaison Deb Schober and City Clerk Cindy Smiley.

OTHERS ATTENDING REMOTELY: None.

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES

Motion by J. Kendall, second by J. Rivera, to accept the minutes of the July 12, 2021 meeting as presented.

Ayes: Kendall, Rivera, Squires and Chairperson Vega. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: Krandel, Price and Starzynski.

4. DISCUSSION ITEMS

A general discussion took place of various items on the Agenda.

Chairperson Vega stated today’s meeting is to discuss the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Project as the second Sunday event approaches. She noted this Sunday at 2:00 PM the Food and Shelter Disparity event will be held at Stage Left, coordinated by Commissioner Kendall.

Commissioner Kendall gave an update on the event, stating the three speakers previously discussed will present and a movie will be shown. Ms. Schober noted the Opera House Staff will take care of showing the movie and setting up the tables and chairs for the event, stating she will provide Opera House Director Daniel Campbell’s e-mail to him so they may discuss the details. She asked Commissioner Kendall to submit any invoices or other expenses to her for payment. A brief discussion followed of donations, with Ms. Schober suggesting these be made through the website.

Commissioner Kendall opined in the future there should be a Commissioner assigned to overall marketing who would promote all the events, noting he has not had time and is not on social media. Chairperson Vega stated every time she talks with people, she promotes the events. Ms. Schober suggested contacting the Chamber of Commerce to see what they can do to help with promotion. Ms. Smiley suggested the Real Woodstock web page, which lists the many events in Woodstock in chronological order. Chairperson Vega stated she will try to talk with the Chamber and get the events placed on Real Woodstock. Commissioner Kendall again advocated for one individual who would be responsible for promotion and could contact all possible marketing sources.

Ms. Schober noted she still has not received responses from all Commissioners concerning the two options for the project’s Facebook page. Chairperson Vega noted the Facebook page could be used to promote the event and stated people who have social media could promote it also. Following a brief discussion, it was the consensus of the Commission that the title of the Facebook page should be “Diversity Celebration Sundays” rather than “Cultural and Social Awareness Commission” as was being considered earlier.

Chairperson Vega urged the Commission members to invite people to Sunday’s event and suggested contacting former Commissioner Wolff so she may invite people.

Updates were provided on the other upcoming Sundays.

Commissioner Krandel was not present to provide an update on the September 12th Sunday – Religions.

Commissioner Squires reported on the October 10th Sunday – LGBTQIA+ stating she is meeting this Friday with Sophie, the other presenter, to go over their presentation. She stated she will go over travel expenses at that time and will have that information for the next Commission meeting. The Commission members and Ms. Schober thanked Commissioner Squires for hosting Sophie. Chairperson Vega suggested that the Commission take Sophie out to dinner, if time allows. Commissioner Squires will discuss this with her.

Commissioner Price was not present to provide an update on the November 14th Sunday – Understanding Race.

Noting she has not yet begun planning the December 12th Sunday – World Holidays, Chairperson Vega stated she will provide an update at the next meeting. She asked anyone with ideas to share them with her, noting she would like to have music and some type of related activity, but needs other ideas.

Chairperson Vega opined the Commission should start thinking about next year’s events, asking everyone to provide ideas for these.

She asked everyone to support Commissioner Kendall this Sunday by promoting the event and inviting people. She stated she has paper tableware for the event. Commissioner Kendall stated he will provide refreshments.

Ms. Schober stated Independence Health and Therapy has provided a $250 sponsorship for the November 14th event. Chairperson Vega stated they wish to sponsor the Age-Friendly Sunday and one other, thus as she understands them, they will be providing $500 in sponsorships to cover two events for next year.

Ms. Schober stated she was contacted by someone from Studio 2015 who wishes to use the series as a training opportunity for its staff, noting she told her they would absolutely be welcome. Chairperson Vega asked for the contact information for this individual, stating she will contact her to discuss this

Ms. Schober reminded everyone that nametags are available in her office. Commissioner Kendall and Chairperson Vega asked that she give them to the Opera House, so they may pick them up on Sunday.

It was the consensus of the Commission that the next meeting be scheduled for Monday, August 30th to discuss the September 12th Sunday – Religions.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were no comments forthcoming from the Public.

ADJOURN

Motion by J. Kendall, second by J. Rivera, to adjourn this Special Meeting of the Cultural and Social Awareness Commission, to a Special Meeting at 4:15 PM on Monday, August 30, 2021 in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall.

Ayes: Kendall, Rivera, Squires and Chairperson Vega. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: Krandel, Price and Starzynski. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 4:57 PM.

https://www.woodstockil.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/cultural_amp_social_awareness_commission/meeting/44782/f_-_08-02-21_csa_-_part_1_of_1_-_minutes.pdf