BHRC Meeting 2021-07-01 Beverly Human Rights Committee
Minutes - 2021 -07-01
23:25 Caja Johnson:All right. Its 705 so we can call the meeting to order. So remote meeting on
Google meet pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12th. 2020 order suspending certain
provisions of the open meeting law. And the governor's March 23rd 2020 order imposing strict
limitation on the number of people that may gather them in place. This meeting of the Beverly
human rights committee will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent
possible. No, in person, attendance of members of the public will be available, but every effort
will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time. The
Via technological means In the event that we are unable to do. So, despite best efforts, we will
post on the cities website and audio or video recording transcript or other comprehensive record
of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. Remote public access to this meeting will
be provided in the following manner access to Google meet video, voice, conferencing
application. This application will allow users to view the meeting and request comment, using
the chat function, pursuant to open meet in law. The chair may elect to recognize public
comment, submitted through the chat function at appropriate points in the meeting. So, with that
being said, I was wanting to talk with. People to see, I would love to do an in-person meeting,
and that's an option now. So, We don't have to decide right now, but just something to think
about, maybe we can do our next meeting. We are off, I think in September Rabbi and Adler.
Do, you know I think we take September off usually every year. So, maybe we can meet next
month in August outside. if people are okay with that, And we can do it so that it's six weeks. So
it's not like four. We can do like mid-august and I can email about that and follow up. I just want
to acknowledge that we're on nomkeg land. I just wanted to start off by saying that. And so let's
do a roll call. Hi Paul. Mindy. Rabbi Adler. Gabrielle. Katia. Abu topping. Alicia Monet. While
Goodwin. Paul mzekos. Chief John. And Leah Jones. All right, so I want to acknowledge that.
We have a couple new members. Welcome Mindy. Welcome kittiya. So glad to have you here.
And so, I don't know if you each would like to say a little something about we all already know
each other, but In case you wanted to just have the floor to have a couple sentences, and say
hi, and a little bit of a background. Maybe.
27:12 Kiki F: Sure. Um, hello everyone, my name is ketea. I think I've met most people, I've
been in Beverly for almost four years now and I am very happy to kind of find my community
that I have found you guys and that I can work to continue to make Beverly Progressive. So I'm
really excited to work with everyone here. Thank you for having me.
27:33 Caja Johnson: Thank you. Thank you so much. Katia Mindy.
27:39 Mindy Ulppolito: Hi. I'm Mindy dipolato, very happy to be here. I have been in Beverly for
almost six years now and I have two young kids. One of whom goes to Hannah Elementary
School, North Becky and yeah, just love the community and part of this group and excited about
a lot of the things that are happening in Beverly that are very important.
28:10 Caja Johnson: Thank you Mendy. And so I think we've almost got a full committee guys.
We're almost there. I thought that we did have a full committee but I think we have one
outstanding placement. And so, I just wanted to touch base for folks who saw the The possible
hate crime in Danvers. We had an email go out. This is when they Vandal on the sign was
vandalized and there was a noose that was put up. And folks remembering a little. Okay so and
then we sent an email and support because we did have a lot of Beverly residents that were
very concerned about this. And so I did speak with Lieutenant Sullivan who filled me in to say
that there had there has been an ongoing investigation And detectives went out. They saw, if
they could get fingerprints when sort of door to door to see if any of the neighbors had a
Camera or a ring and their their unfortunate. Unfortunately, not. Having any leads. And so they
did have to suspend the the case. So, according to Lieutenant Sullivan, I don't think that that
means that it's closed but just that they don't have anyone. Who is a suspect Um and so we can
talk about that more as well. If anyone has any questions about it or comments? And Paul, I will
let you talk a little bit about our website and just communicating and our social media. I know
that there's been some fees and, and things of that. Nature.
30:25 Beverly Human Rights Committee: Okay, thank you Kasia. Yeah, so for the website, you
know, as we have new things coming up or new information, I'm trying to post it on the main
page of the website. I'm also putting stuff on Facebook. I know Leah has been putting stuff on
Facebook as well. I do not feel it on the most eloquent person to be adding text to the posting.
So I welcome anyone else who would like to contribute, especially on the Facebook side of
things, I can handle the website, no problem, because that's usually just static images and
everything. But if there's I think Alicia had said in the past that she might want to jump in on the
Facebook thing as
31:04 Alysha Monfette: I have been hosting on there too.
31:04 Beverly Human Rights Committee:well. Oh, perfect.
31:06 Alysha Monfette: Paul from time to time as well.
31:07 Beverly Human Rights Committee: Okay good.
31:08 Alysha Monfette:Yeah.
31:08 Beverly Human Rights Committee: Okay, awesome. Awesome. So yeah, so I feel when
I'm posting, I'm posting,just maybe a few days before things, which doesn't really give people in
the community enough time to really process things, and maybe plan their week out to get to
events. So I like to see if we can just be a little more proactive, going forward and get stuff out.
And then I try to post stuff to my social media. I don't have a ton of followers, but at least try to
get my group of peers and people in my realm interested and to see that there is stuff out there
as well. So if we all can kind of jump in on that and whatever means we have whether it's face
to face or other social media platforms, some to just keep getting the word out. There will be
helpful. As far as the fees, the I was able to get the fees switched around a little bit. So it's only
about six dollars a month now, for the site and the hosting fees only, I think 1299 a year. So
that's um, I can handle that. And then I think the mayor had mentioned maybe trying to have our
site kind of assumed into the city's website. I kind of like, our site being separate so that we can
control it and get things added and updated at our pace and have a little more control that way,
because I feel if we go through the city, we have to contact someone there and then they have
to get to the people who control the website to get things posted. So it's not going to happen is
quickly or as fluidly, so If everyone kind of agrees or has any different opinions that love to hear
them, but I think we're okay. Like we are right now. I'm not concerned about the fees. I think
they're very manageable and we can handle that. And I think we had talked cage or about the
email address and if you've been feel it fielding all the emails coming to The Beverly human
rights at gmail. com and but they had also talked about they couldn't get us all City email
addresses, but they could possibly get us one. And they wanted to know if we wanted to be like
Beverly human rights at However, the Beverly accounts are. org, and I think we had talked that
so many people know, the Gmail account right now would be kind of difficult to switch. And have
people try to find us somewhere else. Now, Yeah. Hey Carol. Go ahead.
33:49 Caja Johnson: Hi Cal.
33:51 Carole Rein: Hello. So is it possible? To have a separate site for human rights committee
because I definitely see the advantage of that and also to have a link from the Beverly site.
34:07 Beverly Human Rights Committee:Yeah. So there is so there is as part of the city of
Beverly site, the human rights committee does have its own page, but it's really kind of buried
within the tens of other committees within the city and just alphabetically where we fall, we fall
way down at the end of the list. So, Even if I were to go there right now, I have a hard time trying
to locate it but I'll double check while we're on to make sure that there is a link from there over to
our website. And if there's not, I'll talk to the city to see if we can get that added. But that's a
good good thought.
34:42 Alysha Monfette: I had a quick thought just on social media posting because I like you
Paul. I feel like I'm I post things last minute as they come up and so I'm wondering if it might be
beneficial
34:51 Beverly Human Rights Committee:Yeah.
34:52 Alysha Monfette:for a few of us to sit down and kind of build a calendar of things that we,
we know are gonna actually happen. And that way, at least for those things, we can post
multiple times up until the events or whatever the activities are. I just find, 1, 1 can't I don't want
to speak for everybody. I just find that like Paul. I I'm not as well aware of everything that's going
on or I don't get to the emails quick enough, you know, to get the details out of them. And so by
the time I'm posting it is only a couple days before and I'd love to be able to help me more
proactive in that space. So I don't know if that would be an option but it would be really I think
great to kind of and and we could also host it on the website as well. So people knew, I mean,
obviously things are gonna come up and there'll they'll be activities that we have to layer in over
time. But there are definitely some things every year. That I think are pretty standard that we
know about that might be beneficial for us to, to try to get a calendar together for and I'm happy
to, like, take the lead on that. But I just, I would need some other folks that know more when the
events are, they're a little bit more in the know than I am to help me build it out.
35:59 Beverly Human Rights Committee:Yeah, that's great. I feel exactly the same way
because I always feel like I'm last minute to everything. So I guess if yourself myself and then
whoever else might be a little more in the know, we can do kind of a little subcommittee to just
try to go ahead and frame that and Definitely get the recurring things that happen every year
slotted out. And then maybe just try to come up with some system that we can at least get try to
get the post out a little bit earlier or, you know, have a separate little email group to each other
saying, oh, have you heard about this yet? This is coming up and then we can make sure we
get it posted right away.
36:39 Caja Johnson: Thanks Paul.
36:41 Beverly Human Rights Committee:You're welcome.
36:42 Caja Johnson: Thanks Alicia. I so I can't remember. When but I did send out an email that
it was sort of like a task list. Um, for people just sort of look at and see, you know what you'd like
to lead what you're more interested in what you're already doing. And so if folks have questions,
you know, we can just pull that up and say, oh, you know, let me contact, you know, Alicia,
because you know, she is our liaison for the Beverly High School human rights Club, you know
and so if if you go to the second page of that document we actually have a calendar um and um,
myself and Leah sat down and just sort of Thought about. Holidays and things that come up,
that we know that are important and and need to be acknowledged and celebrated and those
are what we put on there. Um, but I would love for for folks to get on that and add and edit and,
you know, it's ours. So we can, you know, make it our own so So, yeah, I'm more than happy to
meet with, whoever else's interested in that so that we can keep that going. and I just wanted to
say thank you to everyone because I know that lately there has been so many things, but It
makes me so happy to see everyone attending and just want to be there, you know, we had the
pride flag raising event which was beautiful. Thank you so much Leah. Thank you, good to see
you and We?We also had Juneteenth, we had the community conversation, Abu was amazing.
And so we've had wonderful things. This Saturday, we're gonna have the Warren school. That's
doing the Frederick Douglas. That is just so powerful. Our youth is just magnificent and so, with
that being said, Abu, I'm not sure if you want to sort of take over and just elaborate on some
upcoming events and I didn't know where we were surrounding a central location with
39:21 Richard Tabbut. Up.
39:21 Caja Johnson: some flag representation. In Beverly, I know we were talking about
Independence Park and we have had conversations with the mayor. Thank you.
39:31 Abu Toppin: Sure. Yeah, the the central location ongoing discussion, I brought it up again
the other day with Mary Cahill. So we're still you know in discussions about about that and
where it might make sense but I think he's appreciative of the idea and and I think we just need
to kind of talk it through a little bit more and Logistics in in exactly where and and all that. But I
think hopeful that we will be able to get to a point where we can have a dedicated spot for for
flags and and other things of cultural significance to our to our community. So um, TBD on on it
but we're still, it's still in the works and still being discussed and I will keep this group in the loop,
if anything, you know, gets a little bit more. Available for the long to let you guys know what's
happening with that. And we can maybe talk Again in more detail about making it all official and
and whatnot. So, so that's happening there. Upcoming events, I we have the event. This
Saturday, I don't have anything else schedules for coming up. June was a little busy, but I
appreciate all those who got a chance to come out for that Community conversation the other
day because it was hot. So really appreciate you guys coming out for that. It was a good
discussion. I think I learned a lot. I know, others others did as well. And and so was well
received and I had folks reach out to me and say they were able to watch it on Beth Cam. And
and so that was great for those who chose to be in the comfort of their air conditioned house.
But but that yeah, that was that was definitely, a really great great event. And, you know, and
just recap and you know, June as you guys have said the pride and the June team celebrations
were fantastic. So proud of this community and where we're going and and being Collective and
you United on many levels, now, it just seems like it's happening more and more. So, I'm, we're
really looking forward to upcoming things that will have together and and this continuing work.
So just very, very proud and appreciative of it all
42:10 Caja Johnson: Thank you so much Abu. And so I 1 100% agree, just feeling really great,
really proud. And I think back to where we were, A year ago, even and I just can't believe all the
hard work that we've all done. And so thank you all. I wanted to just give a little bit of an update.
Um, When a blue you can elaborate with this a little bit. But there is a grieve State Juno and
And so we've been working sort of in a smaller group on how we can. She is was a part of the,
the Iacrum family. She, her family was slaves here in Beverly were slaves here. And so we are
trying to um, Sort of reconstruct her grave site. Her son is buried there as well. And the stones
are just all broken and you can barely read the stones and so, we're trying to do, you know what
we can do to sort of make it presentable and really so that we can remember and also we'd like
to add an educational piece to it, whether it's at the beginning at the entrance of the cemetery, I
think that's what we had talked about maybe just a plaque or something to say, you know, you
know, we were here, you know, and we matter and so We're now in the process where we've
got a city councilor, who is drafting up. something to Potentially present and so I just wanted to
let everyone know that that is happening and we we mean a boo have material. If anyone wants
to read about who Juno was and her family.
44:24 Abu Toppin: Can I just say something to that cages? So I had a conversation yesterday, a
meeting with Dave parent Chief and he's got a gentleman who works in his office, who has been
restoring veteran Stones headstones in the cemetery and he showed me some of the work that
he's done and it's fantastic. And he's found kind of the formula if you will to cleaning these up.
And even with some of the broken Stones headstones, that being able to put them together
again or kind of, you know, remove the the bottom broken piece and then recent meant the the
top piece into the ground, then a fantastic job. And and the chemicals that he's using our, our
great winter in terms of not not acidic. So they're not really gonna be eating away at the stone
and and but it's he's done a fantastic job with the cleaning. So he's describing all this process to
me and I was like, oh, We're gonna have to pull you in on this journal projects and so I think
we'll have to, I think we should schedule a meeting with with them to kind of talk about the ability
to help clean up those stones. So we can, you know, they'll be clearly identifiable. He said,
there's also another device that he has that can be used to kind of it's almost like an
underground radar type of device that they that can be used for this particular circumstance
where you have stones that have sunk down so much, so that you can't even know. You don't
even know if they're really there or not. So, it's a, it's a detection of device, but there's another
piece of equipment. I think that goes with it. That's expensive. So, you know, I don't know. You
know what, we will be able to do as far as that goes, but maybe that's something we can bring
to counselor housemen about about that. Let's see if we can kind of bring that into the mix and
and utilize that because if so that might open up a lot of opportunities to to you know, find and
preserve some headstone. So so I was really excited about that conversation as it relates to
this. I want to pass that on.
46:46 Caja Johnson: Thank you so much, Abu. I I am amazed by just the conversation that, you
know, you and and him had, it sounds like he'd be perfect. And as his company would be
wonderful. I know that we had a couple of barriers that we talked about and I just wanted for
folks to know that there are a couple barriers one is funding. And so You know, either would be
the city we could, you know, have some some grants written. There's the Massachusetts.
Cultural Council that sometimes will give grants for certain things and there's also a couple of
other organizations and also, in order to Do anything with. The grave site, it has to go through
the family or whoever owns the site. And so that becomes challenging, right? Because Juno's
family are, you know, they're the the Iacrums right, but That though, they're not her blood family,
right? Because she was a slave. And so we need to be mindful of that, and how we can sort of
Work around that and so Lee, I'm sorry, I did see you.
48:14 Leah Jones: No. That's I this is incredible. I just wanted to say first hi to everybody and
this whole beautiful group together is just really inspiring, but um, I wanted to ask Who like what
I guess what the what the cost the immediate cost would be. And I and part of it I was thinking
about when we do our discussion around our own finances, you know, you know, opportunities,
sometimes we have enough to do maybe something huge. But when we see funding, it kind of
sets a precedent or, you know, we on top of that, we have Unity signs. We could say the next
sale of unity science could go towards specifically towards that project or or another project and
even if it was just a piece of it, and then, the last thing I was gonna say, is we also, you know,
we have some events and ideas waiting in the wings, you know, we've co-sponsored films and
things like that, where we've had all the proceeds go towards something. So, I think they're
creative ways at least for the human rights committee to to show support to something like that,
even if we don't end up being the bulk. Of the funding. So I don't. I I'm so excited. To hear more
and and inspired to hear more, but just to keep that in the back of your mind, when going to
discussions and and just to ask if they're who sort of the who would be responsible, not
responsible, but which groups would be likely funders for something like this, to get things
rolling, besides Community the community.
49:50 Abu Toppin:And one of the things that that gentleman said to me, who does the
restoration was that he's he's able to do it for a fraction. I like it's the there are other companies
that do this type of work that are charged, you an arm and a leg to do it, but he said he was able
to figure out a way to get the proper materials to do it for way less. So, if that is, in fact, the case
that might be a nice presentation to whomever to say that, you know, not only can we do this
but, you know, we're not looking to spend, you know, 20 30 thousand dollars in order to do it,
you know, so that might help with the the process.
50:38 Caja Johnson: Thank you, Abu, thanks, Leah. That's such a great idea. And I wonder if
initially, if we could even get, like, Just an initial consult like you know, how much would this?
Cost. You know, maybe we could attach that to the proposal, you know, whatever we sort of
write up. And, you know, it might be better for folks to be able to put it into perspective, how
much we're we're talking about here. So, Um, does anyone else have anything? On. Juno.
51:22 Beverly Human Rights Committee: Now, I think it would be good to oh,
51:22 Caja Johnson: Carol.
51:23 Beverly Human Rights Committee: sorry. Go ahead, Carol,
51:27 Carole Rein: So does this woman rights committee? Have any budget?As part of the city
budget.
51:35 Leah Jones: I page I could with your permission, I could address that more when we hit
that agenda item, it Peril. I can talk about that a little bit more, but I don't want to, I don't want to
take your time cage if you want to talk about it. Now, that's fine too.
51:49 Caja Johnson:Yeah, I mean, I would say just jump on in it. Sounds relevant and yeah.
51:55 Leah Jones:You think? Um okay is it is are we I don't want to push ahead with this but it's
a good it might be a good point to just say that when
52:04 Paul Lanzikos: Now, let me see.
52:05 Leah Jones: Go ahead, yeah.
52:07 Paul Lanzikos: Before you get into that, let me just throw it when thought that's very
specific to this effort. What once we have a sense of the financial scope might when? Yeah, a
couple of folks could make a presentation at The Rotary and the rotary. May take that this upper
project, they like things like this. And and then the lunch time, they always have a speaker for
for 10 to 15 minutes. I think this would be quite interesting to them and potential source. Of
specific support.
52:45 Caja Johnson: That's a great idea. Thank you so much Paul Mendy. Sorry Lily.
52:50 Mindy D'Ippolito: Sorry, I I know I'm late to the game here, but I'm wondering if there's any
attention that we could like spot like this in any. I don't know if it's too late for. Beverly
homecoming or even like, what the activities even are if that's a thing this year because I think
this would generate a lot of interest, especially in light of some of what the elementary students
had done with the alphabet rockers, which is kind of like, Talking about doing. A like a statue or
a monument audit sort of of your own community. And I think this is a really important piece of
our history that I know nothing about, but it would just seems like There are a lot of cool things
that happen at. At the homecoming, but again, I don't even know. if that's happening to the
same
53:43 Paul Lanzikos:well, you know
53:44 Mindy D'Ippolito: degree this year,
53:45 Paul Lanzikos:Well, I'm gonna say I was gonna raise the homecoming later in the, the
53:49 Mindy D'Ippolito: Okay.
53:49 Paul Lanzikos: meaning. By 1, 1 totally agree with you Mindy. I they definitely it's going to
be a abbreviated homecoming, but the main events especially the the lobster festival is going to
happen and they're gonna have the Boost so I would throw out the idea that Beverly human
rights. Have the table there, generally information and I and I think we had specific information
about this project in an ability to make except donations. I think that would be very, very positive
thing.
54:22 Leah Jones:We, we could to jump in. We could actually have a table to sell signs and
and abuse here heard me talk about. Alvin C Mitchell so many times, but the whole
homecoming, takes place in the Shell named for him, and I would love it to. I would love every
time. that shell to say, we're at the Shell at the Shell dedicated to, you know, the Alvin C Mitchell
Memorial Shel because there are so few like Mindy
54:48 Paul Lanzikos:Well.
54:49 Leah Jones: Monuments in Beverly for dedicated to Beverly residents of color. They're
just so few that don't the more you all mention ideas, it just makes me feel like this is something
that you know, launched By Abu and Keisha and counselor. Was it counselor Hausman is it
Scott?Who's doing that?
55:14 Caja Johnson:Yeah.
55:14 Leah Jones: It just feels like this is something that the whole Community could own.
55:18 Paul Lanzikos:Yeah.
55:18 Leah Jones: That would be so beautiful. So like if, if people donate it could almost be like
a privilege to donate to this, you know, and I just think I love what you're saying about the youth
and doing an audit and like making it something that everybody wants to see happen because
we all need this so much and Maybe, maybe there could be like you're saying Paula meeting.
Where we talked just about the funding and just about, you know, where the different funding
could. Come one once a boo and Keisha, maybe we have a better sense of what we would
need to raise. But then they're I love the idea of
55:54 Paul Lanzikos:You know.
55:56 Leah Jones: all the different buy-in. You could get like at the homecoming making an
announcement and having somebody as quickly say there's a table over there. And this is why
this person is so important. And this is why we want this to be everybody's project or something.
I don't know. I'm just saying what you all just said and recapping. But I very moved by thinking
about all the involvement of the community and our children being part of making that happen.
56:24 Paul Lanzikos: Here, right? I just I'm down at Lynch Park, two, three, four, five times a
week. It in and I'm wasn't aware about the shell was dedicated. To him. And is there a plaque or
signage down there? That says that
56:40 Leah Jones:Yeah, yeah and actually for the for just I'll just mention to This Crew. Is he
was a he's a he's a black musician and but he also was on the
56:48 Paul Lanzikos: That right.
56:50 Leah Jones: school committee for four terms and just a huge advocate of children and
and families. And he could have gone off to be famous and work with Frank Sinatra. But shows
Beverly, because he loved it so much here and his family. Still owns a business downtown,
where our kids dance and they've, they're going into their 90th year next year,
5 7:10 Paul Lanzikos: Mr.
57:10 Leah Jones: But it was his hundred, second birthday. I think a couple days ago. So I just
think wherever we can, you know, acknowledge It's just really nice.
57:19 Paul Lanzikos:Yeah, it would later with the signage
57:20 Leah Jones: So
57:21 Paul Lanzikos: there.
57:23 Leah Jones: It's a very small plaque inside the shell, and I want to say it went up in 2015
and and Miss Bethany, Bethany bought bosha is his niece and she runs the dance studio, but
they're very the family. So low-key about stuff and Mr. Mitchell's sister Olive is still Living. And it
just, I just makes me think, like if there's any time that they could hear that, you know, especially
her, it would mean so much Anyway, but they're very low-key and she was Bethany's like, yeah,
put me in the, we can put us in the black owned business thing, if you think of it, no biggie. But
like, they're, they do everything word of mouth but they're so talented and amazing. so anyway,
58:12 Caja Johnson: Thank you.
58:13 Leah Jones: I can send an article if if you like with a little like his even his obituaries just
really. It's just, he's just a real Beverly icon and Just want to meet.
58:25 Caja Johnson:Yeah, it's great to hear. 1, 1 actually didn't know that there was even the
placard or anything about that. So I would love some information to read and like, Paul. I'm
there a lot and so, it'd be nice. Even to walk over with my kids and, you know, read and explain
and so, I just wanted to Circle back just a little bit surrounding finances. Finances is not my
strong. Suit. I've, I am not great with finances, but if there's anyone that is, or would like to take
part and I know, Leah, you've so you've been so great and have been sort of leading the
finances for a while now. And I know you you're you don't mind and you will because you're
amazing. But It would be nice if someone else. Would sort of take over.
59:35 Leah Jones: Or even for transparency. I could work with someone because I mean I'm I'm
happy to navigate the city hall. systems, it's pretty easy and we don't have a huge budget, but I
would like for transparency purposes, to be able to say, like all the venmo, I had thousands of
You know, a couple thousand dollars come into my venmo and then out for the to purchase the
lawn signs and we ended up depositing. But like it's you can all go look at the balance but it's
really just me who sees it and that doesn't feel even if it were 20 dollars. I'd like another person,
there's no problem with it with me, staying on because I can help, you know. Navigate where,
how to do the invoices and all that stuff? It isn't a lot of action. And to be honest, I can, should I
jump into that now keja I'll make it really fast. Okay, so the finances right now. We have
approximately 1800 dollars in our account which is very exciting. The most recent deposit was
315 and that was the sale of alongside from my garage for full transparency and and a three
hundred dollar donation from a private resident Cajun that. Thank you. Note will go out. I have a
bunch written but I Went away. That's another reason. It's nice to have someone else on just to
kind of nudge each other. Right now because again this the Beverly Public Schools paid the
alphabet rockers it was like a $4,000 budget, to get the elementary dance party. And the, the
parent teacher discussion we had a little small group smaller group discussion a little workshop.
The Beverly human rights committee, our committee pledged $200 to support, the ptos effort for
the dance party. So But it ended up. We got the price down a little bit because BPS paid more.
So we each owed about it's about a hundred forty, three dollars that I wrote a check. And I
again I have the I have the email that says, could you please forward this. I've received your
check and I just have to get reimbursed from that 1800 dollars and the other commitment that
we have is That and again, I don't know if I even asked this is sort of it's very petty cash and if
it's not okay I can cover it. But for the Frederick Douglass, Speech on Saturday. We kind of said,
during a meeting like the human rights committee could offer water, so that might be $50 or less
and basically what we haven't had to do, but should do moving forward and we didn't, we did
the lawn signs outside of City Hall. They sort of recommended that. We do it and then just make
a deposit. They didn't want to deal with in and out funding. Technically, we're supposed to ask
the city council for permission to spend and so one suggestion is that that maybe Keisha and
Paul as chair and vice chair could sit with You know. All of us or me and somebody else. And
just if there are a few things that we can project, You know, at the beginning of the year, like we
would like to hire or pay we pay stipends to people. It's not like we're really hiring people
because a lot of people do things for us will speak or, or do something for our community. But
we like to say thank you. Be able to thank speakers for the to celebrate. Dr, King or black Santa,
or, you know, to that. If we have a few things that we can ask the city council for in advance,
then it would make it easy to ask for approval at one of the meetings. But basically, Oh, thank
you later. Okay. So basically most committees do not have funding like this but we got
permission to get a small like a line item. And what they recommend is like we kind of had just
don't have a huge. You know, the money is basically there for us to respend on human rights.
Related activities were not a nonprofit organization. So there have been times where we had an
event and then an invoice came in and the city paid it out. So they're still able to do that. We
had a couple forums around. We did one, I think we contributed something to the the gun
violence prevention and an immigrant rights forum, and we paid out like 70 dollars to a coffee
vendor because we didn't get into a donation for one of those so that stuff that the city will pay
an invoice out. Once they get it in, it takes a while it's something to consider or if we buy another
bunch of, if we get t-shirts that we want to sell, we might pay Under$500 for the T-shirt sales
and then resell them. And, you know, so it's just nice to have another person kind of being
mindful of this stuff because it's again it's it's not usually this high of a balance, but it also gives
us with all of you knowing what's in there. It allows us to Decide together like maybe we say and
and I think it's nice to make it don't like a donation public or a contribution public sometimes
because the human rights committee when you agreed to sponsor the alphabet rockers it made
it very easy to say to the ptos the alphabet, right? I'm sorry. The human rights committee is
putting in the same as all the school. Ptos. And it was more of like a. It's kind of like a catalyst.
So I think the funding is really awesome. It's, it comes from the long signs and the t-shirts. And it
came from a film. Showing once was very successful, we partnered with the Cabot, but we don't
have a budget under the city. We've asked even when it came to, the only thing we got funded
was We once had a note taker, and I think we can still, if we want to do that. I think we can get
asked the city if we can, please have a note-taker, they, they would allow that and it's again we
try to just cost share things, we get food and things donated, but that's where things stand right
now. And I guess one of the questions I had for for the group is I like to recount the lawn signs
and maybe we can have a small crew. If you felt comfortable helping to collaborate around
selling those, I I don't think it's we should do the venmo order thing right now. I think it Would be
nice to kind of get through the signs, we have or get close to the signs we have but sell them
just cash or check on site. The venmo thing was really exciting and lucrative and but it was so
labor-intensive that we it was many hours and lots of Tracking people down. And, you know, it
was just nice. I think if we have a few locations, like, we could do it at a farmer's market. We
could sell them at homecoming. But I can count them up and if somebody wants to help me or
take it on and do it with another group, that's great too. But there are people still ask for the
signs now and then. So I don't think people know they're still some available.
67:04 Caja Johnson:Would anyone be willing to or would anyone like to sort of be involved with
finances?
67:13 Kiki F: I'm happy to help with like sales and stuff like that. I don't want to be in charge of
all the money but I'm happy to sell help with sales. There's lots of new people buying homes in
Beverly. So I think I'm bringing the lawn signs, again will be great, you know, lots of new
families. So and I think homecoming homecoming will be great. Like, if we do are able to get a
table on set up there, I'm happy to help sale and haggle people get them
67:37 Caja Johnson: Thank you.
67:37 Kiki F:to buy things.
67:38 Leah Jones: That would be good.
67:39 Caja Johnson: Thank you. That would be awesome and 1, Leah, I think that you're right. It
shouldn't be one person. It should for sure. Be two people. And so maybe Katia, you know,
maybe there isn't one person in charge but maybe together collaboratively, you know, you and
Leah could you know, work together and if there's anyone else that's Willing to and myself and
Paul.
68:03 Mindy D'Ippolito:Yeah, I could help, I'd be willing to help with that, too.
68:07 Leah Jones: That would be.
68:07 Caja Johnson: Thank you, that would be great.
68:09 Leah Jones: it's also a little bit of like um I think it's a little I think it would be a nice team
effort and everybody does a little bit like everybody's done Outreach or cages brought in
donations just by You know by being knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Like if there's a lot of that
that happens that ends up you know. And it's not Heavy accounting. It's just kind of like getting
to know people at City Hall and appreciating people who go out of their way, to kind of do this
little special thing for us and, you know, and and making sure we follow up with thank yous. And
again, it's not a nonprofit and just kind of knowing Being able to update the committee, I think
more regularly is something I would like to do. So, I'm sorry about sometimes coming with, like,
I'll check in with City Hall, which I finally did do, but I appreciate that. We can look at things
together and see if there were ways that could make it more streamlined. But do you like the
long line idea, I mean, this might just we talk about too?
69:09 Caja Johnson:Yeah.
69:10 Leah Jones:what it could, you know, the this small Finance crew could talk about what to
do and then we could reach out to everybody and you all, you know, Paul got our word out
through the media at one point and I'm not sure of the number right now. So it might just be a
handful that we sell at the next, you know, one of the homecoming days or something.
69:30 Paul Lanzikos:And I was going to raise, actually the both one signs later in the meeting.
But I was wondering, can we get them the three line signs, put on the front line of the city hall? I
think that'd be a great place to display them. Abu, where do you think about that?
69:51 Abu Toppin:Yeah, I think that's yeah, I think that's a good idea. I can certainly, you know,
chat with them about that. I don't see why we wouldn't be able to do that. So, yeah, absolutely.
70:05 Paul Lanzikos:And I think if we had them there it would you stimulate. Maybe other
people who don't have them yet to say she said, because I'm it's interesting. I saw a lot of
science, you know, back up the spring that we're, you know, people had them in less summer
and fall. They took them all down in the winter, I figure. Well, that's it. Well, won't see him again
and you know they're all over the place again, which is great. Oh, absolutely. Absolutely bad. A
great place. Especially with all the traffic at the coming Center. Yeah.
70:43 Leah Jones: I love that idea. Paul, maybe sit maybe the new police station, that would be
a nice welcoming thing. I know some the wires on some of them didn't last as long. Like I've
gone around to a couple strangers houses and they've had propped up signs that I've put back
on Stakes, which is, it's maybe a little weird, but
70:54 Paul Lanzikos:And you have enough wire frames now Leah.
70:56 Leah Jones: I think, I think so I'll look for I'll look and I'll Circle back to the committee with
numbers so that you all kind of see exactly what we have and can match it up with. And that
way we can make decisions about ever whether to reprint or You know, do something else. The
t-shirts were older but that was also fun. And we found, they were wide range of
71:17 Paul Lanzikos: Through.
71:17 Leah Jones: prices pricing but also, you know, for for the future maybe next winter or
something. We talk about our next project, being
71:25 Paul Lanzikos:Yeah.
71:26 Leah Jones: something like that.
71:28 Paul Lanzikos:Well, I would definitely endorse us having a booth at the, at the
homecoming, special for the lobster festival and having as many Sciences available there for
sale, say, I do think that we can, we can move them.
71:44 Caja Johnson: Those are all.
71:44 Gabrielle Montevecchi: Paul, can you remind us of the dates?
71:44 Leah Jones: One.
71:46 Gabrielle Montevecchi: I'm sorry. What can you guys remind me the dates for
homecoming?
71:49 Paul Lanzikos: yes, the first week in August, the The vice Festival is a is Wednesday. The
senior day is Thursday in, and usually there's nothing on Friday and then the fireworks are on
Sunday. and lipsticks, I think lipstick limp,
72:09 Gabrielle Montevecchi:Thank you.
72:11 Paul Lanzikos: that's lip sync is thirsty night about double check that then let's think would
be a great place to sell signs to
72:21 Leah Jones: I don't want to jump off topic. Just, I just want to put a little bug in your ear,
but Keisha, I don't know if you were Part of the do you remember we talked about the idea of
taking the logo and making a sticker and we thought that that might be a really good thing for
businesses, I'm not sure. Now, you know, two years later if that's still relevant or exciting but we
thought of it as a way for businesses to get like, we could sell it for, you know, 10 bucks or
something. And they if they put it in their window, It would show that they're an open welcoming
business.
72:59 Caja Johnson: That's a wonderful idea. I do remember that and Alicia, I know that you do
a lot of work with graphic design and maybe you could, when you have time, maybe we could
get a little quote and then we'd have a place to start with how much
73:17Alysha Monfette: I was I was just gonna say that we could I could certainly adapt it. I'm
happy to do that. That's easy enough. As long as we have the files but a window cling might
even be better because that allows businesses to not feel like they're sticking something
permanent like if they have to make changes or anything to the window. So and I bet I would be
willing to bet that'd probably be a place that might even be willing to donate. The services are
just at their cost. So I can reach out to a view vendors and see if Leah, maybe you could just
shoot me an email of the details and I can take a look and we can do that. I'm happy to do that.
73:50 Leah Jones: That would be incredible. Thank you. Thank you.
73:57 Caja Johnson: Leah, did you have anything else to add about finances? Now.
74:05 Leah Jones: no,just just that just to that we when we find out What if just just, I guess to
I'll make up little notes for just the finance part of this but, um, just that I'll keep on there Juno
Iarcom and sort of a question mark, that will be eager to see, you know, what the cost might be.
Because honestly, and this is just me throwing out a number. It's not a discussion about the
number now, but with 1800 in there, I mean, we always feel. We've always in the past felt
comfortable, even, you know, we keep it, we've kept it above 800 or above 500. So we can do
stuff and get speakers, but there's wiggle room to do like a imagine. If we said to a business,
you know, the human rights committee donated, $500 towards this, can you match that how fast
that could add up? um, that's just a model number, you know, we might decide on something
more or less, but That's just an example.
75:05 Caja Johnson: Okay, that sounds great. Um, and 1, 1 didn't know if we could just have a
discussion, Paul. I really don't think that you should be spending your personal money on our
website. These And so, is there a way that we could? Have that, I think it's $12 a year. Paul was
saying, can we take that out of the account and maybe we can also put it forth to the City Hall to
the city council and say we'd like to you know, requests to spend these funds annually on the
website fees because Paul I think it's great that you're doing, but I just feel that you should be
Doing that. So in, I don't know what other people think about it, but the other thing is, I know we
had a choice between our email being at Beverly Ma. gov. I think it is or keeping the Gmail. And
I wanted that to be a collaborative decision so it looks just want to Jump On In.
76:22 Beverly Human Rights Committee:Yes okay I can just get a what a the yearly cost is and
then we can throw it out to the city council and see. But I'm I'm okay so I wouldn't worry about it
too too much. We got other things to work on a lot more. Important. So I'm good. So but I'll put
out a number and then we can see if they might assume that it's not going to be that much
anyway. So Will be okay.
76:51 Caja Johnson: Thank you.
76:51 Leah Jones:Yeah, I would say Paul, I don't mean to be pushy, but I would say, I would
go, I would say here was my, this is what I've put forth. I donated, you know, the first half of the
Year, whatever you've already put in, and then we reimburse you for back to January or
something. I think just in good, faith. We're we're asking people. You know, to pay for stuff. And
this is what it should go towards. And I we're not we're not a board that I think where we Expect
like we all chip in you, you'll chip in countless hours for the rest of the year. And your time is also
worth something. And I just think This is something if we have it, it's in good faith. I think it's nice
to reimburse people for You know, like what we know that you'll end up doing it, you'll buy
people coffees when you have meetings When you have meetings to advocate give hours. I just
think that it adds up, it adds up over the years really fast so 1
77:48 Beverly Human Rights Committee: Right. Right.
77:49 Leah Jones: don't know. That's just my opinion, I would feel more comfortable.
77:55 Beverly Human Rights Committee:All right. Well, I appreciate that, but yeah.
77:56 Leah Jones: if I don't know I just feel like if you want to make a donation someday
because you but I think,
78:02 Beverly Human Rights Committee: Those felt it was a donation that was just amortized
over a year. So that's what the way I was looking at it. So I'm okay, give me a freelance sign or
78:10 Caja Johnson:Yeah.
78:11 Beverly Human Rights Committee: something and I'll call it quality even.
78:16 Caja Johnson: Things Fall, what are people thinking
78:16 Beverly Human Rights Committee: Okay, you're welcome.
78:17 Caja Johnson: about the email address?Are we leaving it as is
78:28 Leah Jones: I have one more opinion to share, and then 1, then I'll stop jumping in, but I
think over the years, it's taken the human rights committee. A lot of work that I think Kasia,
you've really propelled in your leadership. To be considered like to be included and and I don't
mean this and we've always been done, great work but we've been sort of like a committee on
the side when it comes to like a retirement party for someone at the city. We might have missed
that and it's not anybody's fault, but I think to have the gov kind of gets you included into some
information sharing, that could be really beneficial. It might be nice to have the Beverly human
rights email to do things like, Inquire about other things like that are not really. Formal business
or to give people a place to go with the personal issue that might, they might not be comfortable
with? I'm, I don't know. I'm just trying to throw out those two perspectives but I don't have a
strong feeling either way but those are too concerns like being looped into the government City
business regular basis. And then what if a citizen or resident reaches out with something, they
might not reach out to a government email and quite the same way as they would to what
what's there now.
79:47 Beverly Human Rights Committee: So what we could do in the if we do decide to go that
way Leah and is we can afford the Gmail account to if we get the government account. So we
still have both out there, people can still get to us both ways. So we're not going to lose out by
just stopping the Gmail and going to the gov account. So that's a possibility.
80:10 Caja Johnson: That sounds great. I do think that. there is something to say about, Emails
being monitored and I'm not. I'm not saying that we I am okay with either way, but recently,
there has been a person who has been recent reaching out to me and I'm not sure if it's even a
real person and they're making a lot of allegations and bringing in a lot of people's names and
the police department like I do in I think it might be beneficial that we have these emails
monitored and Maybe five years ago. It wasn't even a thing, but I do think that today and now
we may want to think about that. Archie feel strongly about it.
81:08 Gabrielle Montevecchi:Yeah, I agree with Archie. I think that that reminder, on those
emails that anything that appears in that email Exchange and be part of public record, I think is
a very important, reminder case. I really agree with that for everybody's whole theme protection.
81:24 Caja Johnson:All right, so I think, I think that's a good idea, Paul. Why don't we go with
that? and Paul Lindy goes was a part of our smaller meeting with indigenous people day
Massachusetts with mattawi and I thought maybe Paul if you don't mind, sort of just talking a
little bit about How the meeting went and what we learned and sort of. the good hard work that
we have ahead of us, so,
81:58 Paul Lanzikos:Well, that on the Fly here, I I find it to be a very, very informative, very
positive conversation. The couple of the takeaways that I had. That it's important for. Indigenous
people day to be recognized in its own. Right? It's and one of the things that we did here is
some Some communities have said, just suppose that with Columbus Day and have it. in doing
both the same time and that Is. Definitely not a best practice. I I think if we're gonna undertake
this and needs to be done for its own purposes and and is a, is a a standalone, they recognition
event and she pointed out A couple of communities that have done this. Well, I think
Marblehead, if I'm my memory is served me correctly. His is was an example. The This one of
my takeaways is that it education. Before during and after the creation of the day of recognition,
is critically important people. It needs to be understood. The positive reasons, it's being done. In
one of the things we did talk about and she and, and she recognized here in Beverly of the
particular sensitivity of things, we have a strong um, vibrant and population of people with Italian
Heritage, and And in in I I feel there. It's important that we don't create a tension between folks
who are returning Heritage and people who are in support of indigenous people. They've just
not either or and, you know, I personally am thinking no, you know, when we first backed upon
the recognition of Reprise method and raise the flag, the, the controversy that occurred around
that, with raising the flag, and the veterans community. And I think we need to be doing
everything you can to, to minimize unnecessary Discord which isn't to say we we should back
away from honest dialogue and And recognition that people have different points of view, but I
think we, if we had to take this, it needs to be done to minimize. A negative reaction just that
could be otherwise. Averted by the education and in dialogue ahead of time. We I know we're
going to always have people who, who are going to be. Negative in their interpretation reaction
that, you know, that's something we just had to fearful. But I do think this opportunity to go about
this and very Very positive way. And again, it's another opportunity for for Education, dialogue
conversation, you know, in the, in the broad Community I think. And especially you know, here,
the not sure there's such a rich history of Indian, you know, the role, the indigenous people
played during the early days of the establishment of various communities, even up into this day.
And I think here in Beverly You know, a lot of that is invisible or under recognized? I think this is
an opportunity for us to bring it more to the to the Forefront. That's, that's my take.
86:33 Caja Johnson: Thank you, Paul. Um, does anyone else that was there? I mean I I do
have the same memory that you have Paul but does is there anyone else that wants to share
that? That was there?
86:51 Beverly Human Rights Committee: sure, I think my takeaway was also that she I was
thinking she was going to come in and say we need to do this for this fall and we need to push
forward and just go straight to it, but she was almost the opposite saying that you really do need
to go ahead and Take your time and make sure you're hearing other people in the community
and trying to engage as many. Aspects of the population as you can to build. A Groundswell of
people in support of it before you actually try to get to the point where you're saying, we want to
do this or we want city council to do this. So, 1, that was my big takeaway from that because I
I've as I was telling, then I've been a member of the Knights of Columbus since I was 18 years
old, so it's been a long time now, really not have not been active for the last 20 years, they do a
lot of great charity work. But then there's some other aspects that are things that I don't really
align with as well. But, so you have to take into account, you know, how it is going to affect
those people who are also part of the community and have been there, they have not been
educated and I have not been educated on indigenous people day and Columbus and the
various aspects of his life and what he did in his men did and And where he landed and did not
land. And so there's a lot of Education to go out there. To teach people before we get to the
point where we're trying to move forward as well.
88:33 Paul Lanzikos: I think the whole key is education. I mean, I'll speak for myself. Up until the
last couple years, June, 19, Juneteenth nothing to me. I mean, I was totally unaware of that
whole that those events and the importance of it, same thing with Tulsa, I think so. I think this is
a really opportunity to educate folks and I specifically I think of as we approaches we almost
need to do it like a A political campaign. We need to identify the influences in the community.
Those those key groups that help shape opinion, you know, with the obviously something like
that the Knights of Columbus, the various, you know, groups within the within the religious
community. But also the, the rotary, I think we go make them a presentation at The Rotary and
educate them this in in Beverly main streets in the greater Beverly chamber, where, where
people of it of who share opinions and influence others, and then start to work with them and
broaden that out. And so, so this becomes a very positive occurrence. That one of her
celebration recognition and not. Acrimony.
89:57 Caja Johnson:And absolutely. Thank you both both Paul's I don't know if there's
anything. Anyone else wants to. Oh Gabrielle. Hi.
90:12 Gabrielle Montevecchi: Hi friends. Um, so I had exchanged a couple of emails, just with
Paul and I'll say, I have not a lot of I never have a lot of patience, that's just who I am. But um
when I when it comes to Educating children around oppression. I I don't have any patience for
not teaching kids about the reality of Oppression and the realities of marginalized individuals
period I guess I'll just Stop that sentence there. And I also want to say that the community of
Melrose has done some incredibly impressive work in their school department. And it's been
LED largely to my knowledge by their current assistant superintendent. And, and of the summer.
Last year, our leadership team dot Flaherty has Dr. Flaherty has connections, collegial
connections with the team in Melrose and shared with the leadership team. A whole Bank of
amazing resources around education and Indigenous peoples day that I took immediately and
shared immediately out with with our faculty. And we don't we dug in in a series of just a couple
of faculty meetings to begin to unpack what they have done in Melrose and connecting it with
our cornerstones. Social studies curriculum, that many of you know, has been rolling out in
Beverly Public Schools as a pilot this year and then we're moving in a deeper more
comprehensive way. And across more grade levels, we started at three and four and then three,
and four and Beyond. And we're looking at the units in it begins in pre-k, pre-k through two to
link that up and the themes of decolonization. And you know what that means and how we are
change, taking these lessons and embedding in our children, what it means to be a change
agent now, And so I I would encourage the team to help happy to share those resources as
well. They've they've really done an incredible impressive job there in Melrose. And I was
excited to see how user friendly the materials were and how thoughtful the units of study were
across various grade levels. So I just wanted to chime in on that from the education and for a
moment.
93:09 Leah Jones: Get gabrick KJ. Could I just add to or tag something on to Gabrielle's?
Comment, I just wanted to say, I think it was last year Keisha and I responded to a I think it was
last year. I started the last year and a half for a little bit fuzzy, but the Middle School Gabrielle
had asked about a civics If they could partner with us to do a Civic, I think it was right before.
the covid shutdown in the schools and the Middle School asked if they could partner with
Beverly human rights committee and, and we recorded a video and One of the kids was a
couple kids were going to choose us but one of the things we had said was like research a topic
of interest for example. You know, a question. What about indigenous peoples day for Beverly
or something like that?And I I wouldn't want to impose that on a teacher at the middle school
but maybe in your conversations if the Civics group comes up again and wants to be part of
something we're doing and I just have to plug for you Gabrielle and others here at Delphine and
her friend at Hannah have said that they want to start now a human rights committee at the
middle school. So I don't know. I mean, I'm sure they're not the ones but they'll be kids. only,
you know, they're not the only Do I know right Indonesia. And they'll all be together. It'll be so
fun. Um, but anyway, I love I love the school angle.
94:41 Caja Johnson: Thank you so much Gabrielle. I also been thinking a lot about the schools
and, and what we can do, what we've already done, really we've done so much and you know
what else we can do, just to move forward a little bit. But I've been thinking a lot about
integration and and what that means and where we are with that and I've been thinking a lot
about the metco program and I know it's a long haul, but even if we could, maybe I know we
already have school choice and but even if we could maybe partner with Lynn or maybe some
of the more diverse communities to sort of, you know, really work hard at at trying to get some
more Diversity and representation within our, our Beverly schools, we need it. and so, Yeah, I'm
excited for that and for our youth and for the Beverly Middle School human rights club and it's
it's also wonderful and so Abu I just wanted to I don't know if you respond to this already. I'm
just circling back a little bit but is it possible that you could talk with the mayor about the unity
science at at the Beverly police department and then at City Hall? I think it would be really great.
In general, if we could do that.
96:13 Abu Toppin:Yeah, absolutely. I will
96:16 Caja Johnson: Okay. All right, does anyone else have?Any other?
96:24 Paul Lanzikos: 1, I'm just once. I'm gonna say small item, it's not a small item but not it's
not for discussion today, something that I've brought up in the past and I know it's others on the
committee have but that's now since the the camp in the playground programs have just been
underway. Now in Beverly the diversity of the, the Summer Staff, they in the Years Gone by,
they don't look like the kids who are going to the camps and the playgrounds. I would love to
say this is this could be the last year that occurred. So I would like maybe over the course of
Summer, to get a better understanding of the of, the composition of of the, the staff they've been
hired. Both is ranges at the, at the, at the park, and the kids who do the playground instruction
and the camp houses. and and then going and I'm anticipating you that it's going to be very non-
diverse and I would love going forward to have a more affirmative plan that that the the kids
every recruited to be a more reflective of the community and also frankly give kids who are
coming from um challenging situations the opportunity both in terms of economics but also in
skilled development as a boost up I think that's something that the city should put first and
foremost is one of its objectives and hiring in these positions.
98:12 Abu Toppin:Well, I'll address that because I've already had this conversation with Bruce
Stewart and, and John paddle about that very issue. And we will be planning different strategies
going forward and an opportunities for for more kids, of course, background with the working in
that program, and even suggested to them that we might need to look at ways to make it more
efficient or easy for people to kids, to access, you know, to get to the to the camps to, you know,
incentivize them to, you know, really give them a little bit more one way or another not
necessarily in in salary per se but other things that will help them that will be beneficial to them
to be a part of that program and and where we, you know how and when we recruit and and and
the type of information that we're putting out there um I did go up to the high school with John
Few weeks back, maybe early early June and stayed up there for a couple of hours and and
went around and just basically talked to students. And, you know, and I pointed out I went into,
you know, a lot of the diverse students that were at the lunchtime periods and and sat with them
for a minute and talked about talk to them about who I am and what we're doing here in the city.
And and what we're, you know, hoping to do with this program and, you know, gave them my
card and you know, I subsequently got a call actually from a mom who said, oh my son says
you spoke to him about a camp opportunity and you know we have this application and he
wants to apply and
99:55 Paul Lanzikos:You know.
99:57Abu Toppin:you know so it's it was great.
100:00 Paul Lanzikos:that's,
100:00 Abu Toppin: great. One of the other things challenges One of the other things
challenges too, Paul that they might need to to be think about in general the the
100:07 Paul Lanzikos: Him.
100:10 Abu Toppin: because the the applications and overall Now.
100:18 Paul Lanzikos:Yeah.
100:19 Abu Toppin:And and so it needs to be, you know, a bigger discussion as well about how
to pull kids into the into the program, the summer camp program but But but absolutely the
diversification of that program has, you know, I've already started that
100:35 Paul Lanzikos: That's okay.
100:36 Abu Toppin: conversation, party started a working plan with them so we will be
addressing that.
100:41 Paul Lanzikos: and accent because I there's like, you know, I know there's been a lot of
Legacy hiring there, you know, kids who went to camp and they became
100:49 Abu Toppin: Right.
100:50 Paul Lanzikos: counters and training and I appreciate that. And that's great. But we got
to break that cycle because we can't break the cycle. Then the and a lot of kids With, with
different backgrounds have never experienced the camp experience here in Beverly so they
never were first introduced to it. And, but I think if we had an affirmative recruitment effort, early
on, I think, I think, I think that would be
101:14 Abu Toppin:Yeah.
101:15 Paul Lanzikos: beneficial for everybody.
101:16 Abu Toppin: Exactly. And and, you know, I Dr. Morgan and I becoming becoming close
and and kind of like locked arms arm and arm on as as friends as well as colleagues here. I did
pull him into this as well, and I also I don't know if you all have had a chance and maybe it might
make sense to invite her in the future. But Brandy Johnson who works at Endicott College. She
was a ministrator there, but they recently added a position of VP of diversity, equity and
inclusion, which they asked her to take on, you know, she and I have connected as well as Dr.
Morgan with her. And I also spoke with her about in the cot college students because I think
some of the there's an age range that kind of tap kind of TAPS into, you know, high school, you
102:08 Paul Lanzikos:With the news.
102:10 Abu Toppin: know, graduates. But also you know kids that are like 18 to 20 um that
would be an opportunity there as well. So I'm also pulling Brandy into this conversation. so I'm
looking to and as you guys, many of you heard me, say before connect, some Dots here on how
we can, you know, pull our resources to make that a better a better program
102:29 Paul Lanzikos: Excellent. And just one of the thought as we And just one of the thought
as we maybe over the winter time, there could be an opportunity for this committee to have a
joint session with the Lynch Park advisory committee. How we could think things through
together, not just around what we just talked about in terms of, you know, the summer hiring.
But it for any of us who go down to Lynch Park on a regular basis. Amy that's, that's, I think a
Gathering Place of of diversity already. You you hear every single language down there every
every you know, people of every color down there and this is already a natural, um, currents.
But I don't think we're taking full advantage of the fact that it is a Gathering Place of our
Diversified community. So I mean, maybe this better ways for us to to support, you know, and
encouraging that to even be more The future.
103:31 Abu Toppin: No, absolutely. 1, you know, I've, I'm all about all hands on deck, so, you
know, I think we all need to to work together on this. You know, it's for our community. You
know, this doesn't have to necessarily come from anything that I'm just doing or anymore.
Anyone else, you know, I think we all need to pull our resources to make that the kind of
program that it needs to be. So I I fully agree with that, that idea.
103:58 Alysha Monfette: I just had one thing too and I think it kind of ties in with this
conversation so I don't know how many are you of, you are aware but our executive director at
the great Beverly YMCA, just retired and we are doing a search right now for a new executive
director, our CEO and and the let rest of us. And on the leadership team are our adamantly. It's
very important to us. That there is a diverse pool of people that apply for that job. And so we
would love to see we want our organization to continue to become more diverse the wise
obviously welcoming of everybody. And so, you know, direct diversity,
104:36 Paul Lanzikos:that's,
104:37Alysha Monfette: inclusions really important to us. And so I'm hoping if it's okay with this
group, if you don't mind, I would love to share that job description with all of you and ask that,
you may be share with your networks. Because I think the only way that we're going to to get
that in front of more people is to in, you know, this is You know, arguably one of the biggest, you
know, community service organizations, and in our in our community, so it would be really nice
for us to sort of to maybe share that around and see if we can't get some more folks to apply.
We're doing a lot of work working with with many HR systems that specifically focus on diverse
populations. And we've spent a ton of money trying to kind of push things out through those
systems. But I think word of mouth and sort of personal connection tends to be the best way to
do that. And I know all of you have Network. So as long as it's okay, I would love to share that
job description with all of you to sort of, if you feel comfortable, share with your your networks as
well.
105:44 Caya Johnson: Thank you. Thank you, Alicia.
105:46 Paul Lanzikos: Good.
105:48 Caya Johnson:Were you? Saying something. Sorry.
105:54 Kiki F:Yeah I just had a question about Saturday's event. I guess. Do you guys meet
ahead of time for the event or do you need any help? Like how does that usually work when you
guys have an event coming up since I'm new? I'm sure you guys have all the plans in place
because I'm late to the party but I just, I guess I wanted to know if Do we all the time? Do you
need any help or anything like that?
106:16 Caja Johnson: So it's an event that's open to the public. There was an email that went
out for folks that wanted to volunteer to read. If anyone wants to still volunteer, there are still
slots that are open and, you know, there there is, you know, some other things that I'm sure that
the warring School were there to support the kids and to support The Mooring school. And so,
there are some things that Jill was saying that she would love some more volunteers for if
anyone wants to has the time. That would be great.
107:01 Leah Jones:Yeah, I'm bringing water if you wanted to go together, I don't have my kids
that day. So it'll just be me but I'm gonna go
107:09 Kiki F: Left.
107:09 Leah Jones: a little if you want to. I mean no pressure, but you can call
107:12 Kiki F:All right.
107:12 Leah Jones: offline. And I also want to say listed as a reader, if anybody else, I because
I was at the meeting, I'm happy to. But if anybody wants that I'm happy to also. You know, I'm
excited about that that paragraph for anybody to read if anybody's interested. They're like
Keisha. You were saying I noticed there were still A availability for volunteers or the public,
right?Abu.
107:41 Caja Johnson: yeah, I mean I have you know I'm going my mom's going, my daughter's
reading, you know, we're all reading and a friend of mine and her children, you know, it's really
just whoever, Wants to be involved. I think that it's really powerful that these amazing group of
kids were able to to pull this together and to do this really just shows how bright they shine. I
know it's 8:30 on the nose and I'm trying to be better about my timing.
108:14 Paul Lanzikos:You are being very good. Let me just throw out one quick thought, that
when the Leisure is talking about, the, the wise effort to diversify its leadership, which that,
yeah, I applied, I think we all do it, strikes me that Beverly Hospital. He has new Co is a, a man
of color. I would love maybe sometime over the winter in have a catering fight him to to one of
our community meetings and to get an understanding of his his thinking about how within the
belly Healthcare System. How Diversified it is or what efforts there? Doing to make it more
responsive to a diversified community.
109:00 Caja Johnson: That's an excellent.
109:01 Abu Toppin: I'm not I met with timed. His name is Tom Sands. I actually had I met with
him this morning and he's actually been great and he's jumped in on our race Equity task force
as well and he's got a lot of great thoughts about about diversifying the hospital and being more
active in the community. I think it would be a great opportunity to have him here to speak to this
group. And, and you can hear a little bit from him. But good. Great, great man. So he's he would
be great person to
109:31 Paul Lanzikos: but,
109:32 Abu Toppin: partner with
109:33 Paul Lanzikos: Right.
109:35 Leah Jones: Occasia also. Oh sorry. Sorry. Just to add to the calendar of potential
speakers. We had talked in the past and it could about having a represent. Our don't Senator
lovely and representative paracella come once a year to just kind of sit in on a meeting and it
could be that one with with Tom Sands or could be a different one but Maybe around
September to invite them formally, so that they are kind of Welcome guests, whether they're
second set of speakers or whatever, give them a chance to present what they're doing. And a
lot of what they're doing intersex, I think with Like with Tom Sands human rights related issues.
So maybe we have maybe we can talk about that too. When that could happen on the calendar,
if everybody feels that's a good idea.
110:22 Caja Johnson:Yeah. Absolutely. Wonderful guests to have and Leah. Do we usually
take August or September off?
110:33 Leah Jones:We in the past. It's nice to give people a little break September gets super
busy. So our agenda like ramps up but it's however you want to do it is great. It sounds like we
may have a booth at the homecoming and maybe if we don't have a meeting, it's a chance for
people to kind of gather anyway, but it's however you wanted to do it.
110:54 Caja Johnson: Okay, so why don't we follow up via email? I'd love to hear about if
people are okay, with meeting in person. Um,just I would just love to be able to sort of get an
idea about what and I'm if please everyone is different and and you know we're all Doing the
best we can. So if that doesn't work, please don't feel like you need to
111:22 Paul Lanzikos: Good.
111:24 Caja Johnson:want to meet, you know, I'm totally
111:26 Paul Lanzikos: No.
111:26 Caja Johnson:flexible and so I yeah, Paul sorry.
111:32 Paul Lanzikos: Okay, yeah, well, and I'm off a meeting in person. But at the same time,
I'm all for continuing having this type of access for those folks who've whatever reasons can't or
find it uncomfortable or just physically can't. So, I'm already starting to hear that. There are
different public sessions around the state who are meeting in public in their cutting out their
virtual access. And I think that that's a big mistake. You know, I hope that that's happened here.
So, as we sent meeting in person and I think we need to figure out, take, you know, with the
city, technically, how we can still maintain a virtual connection.
112:11 Caja Johnson:Yeah, I talk with Rabbi Adler a little bit about possibly bringing laptop and
she has graciously volunteered Temple for us as a place. Thank you so much for that and so I I
think that we can for sure give folks a choice. With that being said, anyone has any comments
concerns suggestions? I love to hear. All the things. So let's follow up about schedule. Let's yep.
Sorry. Abu Yeah.
112:47Abu Toppin: I just want to make a quick note FYI for the group last. Well, a few weeks
ago, there's a new state Commission on Race equity and civil rights. And they had an open
committee meeting to the public, like I said, a few weeks ago and had people come on to kind of
testify or give testimony about diversity, Equity, inclusion issues across the state in different
municipalities and was Of three or four hour event and they ran out of time and they could, they
couldn't get to everybody who wanted to to speak but some really interesting stuff about things
that are happening, concerns that people have across the state. And I can let this group know if
you guys are interested, when the next open meeting will be happening. So you can listen in
and hear about what's what's happening in other parts of the state. And they're, you know,
concerns and issues. So just want to get let people know that that's all out there.
113:59 Leah Jones: It Abu I I was wondering. So one of the things that we've had I think we've
done and it's different in person when we're able to be in person. But I like the idea of doing
planning in the fall. Some kind of way to have Maybe we have a lot of things called Community
conversation and I don't want to necessarily, it doesn't have to be that but but some way where
there's a platform for the community to touch base with human rights committee members so
that we can hear from lots of different folks, kind of like what you described to do. So maybe
that's something that we could do on a smaller scale as a committee and I know there are lots
of different groups, you're hearing things, different departments are hearing things but we have
kind of a cross-sectoral like Mandate that is a little bit unique and together with your office, it just
seems like maybe Kasia we could think about doing something where we do like a check-in on
things with our community that are specific to Beverly. I don't know what that would look like but
just to throw it out there that would be neat to hear about it. But also think how we could do
something like that it maybe it's easier to do it around a particular issue but
115:11 Abu Toppin:Wait, we could to lead to your point. I think it's a great. Idea, we could also
do it. In relation to the equity audit that's being done in the city now and and those those
findings and
115:23 Leah Jones: um,
115:25 Abu Toppin: determinations. So you know, as as that process is coming to a close,
maybe that's an opportunity to, you know, engage the community about about the results. And
then also kind of take up a pulse or check or whatever you want to call it and have some open
kind of exchange or information shared if that makes sense.
115:51 Caya Johnson: Thank you Abu anlia that those sound like incredible ideas and I think
that it would be really good to, you know. Do that periodically. We should maybe do that a
couple times a year. Just a check-in. I like that. I do want to be mindful of time and it is 8:38 and
if no one else has anything else. Um, Leah, I know.
116:17 Leah Jones: Sorry.
116:18 Caya Johnson: Go ahead.
116:19 Leah Jones: So sorry I feel like I'm not responsible, I don't want to be the one to deem
this less important than than something else. But pollen zicos worked a lot on this on the
census, the US Census and there's a hearing coming up on July, 6th with Seth Moulton's
district, and it's about redistricting in the act, like in the as in terms of the results of the census,
they do districting. And I'm gonna send this group information there. There is a group that sets
out to make sure that communities of color, immigrant communities, and low-income residents,
who are historically, marginalized and representation matters are not are heard. And there's a
hearing to give different people a chance to just Express. This is what my community is doing.
This is how Beverly looks to me, and I'm gonna send information, but it's just a chance for
people to give their have their voices heard. By The Joint Committee on redistricting and people
from Seth Moulton's district. And we include I think Lynn and I can't remember the other towns.
Paul. If you wanted to add anything, I just didn't want to leave that out because it does impact
people heavily I think representation around State voting and things like that. So,
117:33 Paul Lanzikos: Is a very important, very timely. I concur.
117:39 Leah Jones: So, I'll send the follow-up email and if anybody can make it, it's a virtual
event on the sixth, and I'll share that with you at 6 pm.
117:48 Caya Johnson: Thank you so much, Leah for that. When you send it in an email, I'll help
a better idea so I can have the time to review because I I don't I didn't know that that this was
happening. So thank you for, for bringing that up. So, does anyone? Anyone else have anything
else? Okay. All right, motion to a germ, meaning at 8:40 pm.
118:19 Beverly Human Rights Committee: On second.
118:20 Caya Johnson: Thank you, Paul.
118:21 Beverly Human Rights Committee:You're welcome.
118:23 Caya Johnson: Bye. Everyone have a good night. I look forward to following up via email.