DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION COMMITTEE


JOHNSON COUNTY DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, April 19, 2022 9AM-10AM

Zoom & Betty Sass Conference Room

 

Members Present: Dawn Alam, Gary Boseneiler, Brandon Davis, Sean Donaldson, Kathryn Edel, John Hannaford, Cindy Hudson, Shannon Innis, Lakeshia Jackson, Paola Jaramillo, Fiona Johnson, Kristen Morrow, Laurie Nash, Annie Nugent, Kyle Phillips, Lynn Rose, Lora Shramek, and Kelly Weston

Next Meeting Date and Time:  Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Budget Balance:  $8,336

Update and discussion on Spectra Assessment Report: Paola wants everyone to review the results and comments.  She suggested we highlight 3 positive and 3 negative comments.  There was discussion on the releasing comments to county employees.  There is an expectation that it was to be anonymous and many people may not want their comments made public.  We can paraphrase comments/topics and release an action plan on that topic/comment.  There will be a Manager/Supervisor training by Top Rank/Nikeya possibly next month.  Paola will bring it up at the Dept head meeting today. 

Juneteenth:  Paola said there is good community progress on Juneteenth celebration.  Laurie Nash said 6/14 is High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America film screening.  On 6/15 at noon virtual Juneteenth history event and at 7:00 High on the Hog book club.  On 6/16 at 6:00 financial literacy event at Greenstate Credit Union in North Liberty.  On 6/17 Happy Hour social event at Marriot Hotel on Melrose.  Also on 6/17 Downtown at Sundown event in downtown Iowa City.  Other events planned.  We will get a schedule.  Paola  planned an event for county staff at county building, probably SEATS/Roads building. 

Committee Art Work:  Gary Boseneiler knows veteran artist group that makes a colorful hand sketch with important words incorporated.  Secondary Roads made their own as an example.  Paola will send out instructions and Roads example.  Committee voted with 11 ayes, 0 neys, to go ahead with this project and agreed to pay $75 for each one.  Goal is to get every department or office participating.  Gary Bo will have the artist contact each committee member about their dept/office artwork. 

D & I Committee meeting time change:  Propose moving meeting dates to 2nd Tuesday of the month instead of 3rd Tuesday.  Paola will send a voting email.

May articles for JoCo Weekly:  Paola wants to have several articles highlighting Juneteenth in the May JoCo Weekly.  Any volunteers?

D & I Committee voting:  There was some discussion about voting on decisions.  Paola will come up with some rules for decision making by the committee.