HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-25Clarftmn
Clarington Diversity Advisory Committee
Thursday, May 25, 2023, 7:00 PM
Via Microsoft Teams
If this information is required in an alternate format, please contact the Accessibility
Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext 2131
Present: Pranay Gunti
Ron Hooper
Lyndsay Riddoch
Andaleeb Shafi
Yasmin Shafi
Tenzin Shomar
Dione Valentine (until 7:45 p.m.)
Also Present: Erica Mittag — Staff Liaison
Alison Dee — Clarington Public Library, Museums and Archives
Regrets: Councillor Granville Anderson
Meera McDonald
Aaliyah Ruddock
The meeting called to order at 7:05 p.m.
1. Land Acknowledgment Statement
• Lyndsay shared Clarington's Land Acknowledgment Statement.
2. Declarations of Interest
• There were no declarations of interest shared by members.
3. Review and Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Pranay Gunti, seconded by Andaleeb Shafi
That the agenda of the meeting of May 25, 2023, be approved.
Carried
4. Adoption of Minutes
Moved by Pranay Gunti, seconded by Ron Hooper
That the minutes of the meeting of April 27, 2023, be approved.
Carried
There was a challenge accessing the minutes online; going forward, minutes can
be sent as an attachment.
5. Update from Clarington Public Library, Museums and Archives on Drag Queen
Story Time
• Drag Queen Story Time — June 10, 2023 at Bowmanville Library Branch —
consists of story time followed by short drag performances
• Family -friendly event including age -appropriate stories and songs that
celebrate diversity and champions inclusion and self-expression
• There have been some negative comments on social media from the
community
• The Library and the event organizers continue to support this annual event to
provide a welcoming space for all
6. Community Updates
• Anti -Racism and Discrimination Strategy engagemer launched May 23 until
June 30, 2023
• National Indigenous Peoples Day event in partnership with Clarington Public
Library, Museums, and Archives on Sunday, June 25, 2023 from 12:30 p.m. to
4:00 p.m.
• Incident at Clarington Public Library Courtice Branch — a swastika was found in a
library book. Library staff are asking for these incidents to be reported who will
work to support and reduce incidents
• Charles Bowman family portrait restored and displayed in lobby of Municipal
Administrative Centre
7. Committee Meeting Schedule
• To avoid conflicts with Durham Region's Anti -Racism Task Force meetings, it
was suggested to alter the Diversity Committee's meeting schedule to the
second Thursday of the month, commencing June 2023.
• Agendas can be reviewed to determine if there is business to discuss and a
meeting is held (particularly during summer months)
Moved by Dione Valentine, seconded by Yasmin Shafi
That the meeting schedule move to the second Thursday of the month.
Carried
8. Anti -Black Racism Task Force
• Continue to recruit members as no applications received. Open until June 30,
2023
• Applicants will be considered at July 13, 2023 Committee meeting for
appointment
10. Annual Update to Council — Diversity Initiatives
• Erica provided an overview of the annual report content
• Presentation and report to be shared with Committee members as attachments
11. Diversity Advisory Committee Workplan Discussion
• Members brainstormed some ideas and would like to continue their discussion at
future meetings. Draft workplan will be shared with Members at their July
meeting for further review.
• Members suggested that other forms of engagement, outside of social media, be
considered and to focus on purpose of messaging and target audience to tailor
approach
12.Other Business
• None
13. Future Agenda Items
• Invitation to Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board to discuss diversity
initiatives
• Updated Committee Terms of Reference to be reviewed at an upcoming meeting
Meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m.
Next meeting: Thursday, July 13, 2023, at 7:00 PM
Hybrid — in -person and / or via Teams