Minutes for Dec. 6, 2007
Diversity Committee Meeting
Members Present: Sandy Allen, Damon Campbell, Shantrie Collins, Sara Green, Thura Mack, Allison Roberts, Jane Row, Marielle Veve, Jeanine Williamson, and Trisha Brady stopped by but went to alternative meeting held at same time concerning reorganization.
1. Announcements:
a. Angel Tree update—some of the committee members offered money to assist with the Angel Tree. Since all the angels have been taken, the committee members are not sure if the gifts will get returned by the deadline. For those staff who might have forgotten to bring the gift, the committee is obligated to make sure that every Angel receives the gift’s requested.
b. Panel discussion update—all members who attended this program felt like it was a success.
c. Diversity Committee pages update—Allison reported that the December page is ready; she just needs to upload the content.
d. Jeanine’s ‘Family Matters’ update—Jeanine reported that we need to solicit anonymous responses of disabilities from library employees on their disabilities or their family’s disabilities. Survey monkey will be used for this purpose. Guest lecturers from the College of Nursing will be facilitators for this program. The date is tentatively set for that ‘Let’s Talk About It’ on January 23rd in room 127. Jeanine will send out more information soon.
e. Other items as provided by Committee Members—
a. Jane reported on “The Working for Democracy” program outcome. She shared that attendance could have been better.
b. Committee members who met with Aisha really enjoyed having a conversation with her. We hope to see her again when she returns in March 2008.
2. Discussion:
a. Volunteering for Holiday Party—several members volunteered to help with the Holiday Party-Sandy Allen, Shantrie Collins , Marielle Veve, Damon Campbell, Jeanine Williams, and Allison Roberts by default (she is on the LEA Committee).
b. Next Culture Corner—Interest group meeting for volunteers is scheduled for Tuesday December 11th at 2:00 in the 3rd floor conference room. The topic for the upcoming culture corner is ‘Melungeons.’ Sara suggested inviting Dr. Benita Howell to be a speaker for a “Lets Talk About It” connecting it to the culture corner topic. Research other local libraries to see what other information is available on Melungeons. Spotlight may be available for Special Collections on this topic. Sandy Allen has sent an email to Jane Row, Molly Royse and Ann Bridges to ask for money for purchase of items library does not have but might want on this topic, and both Jane Row and Ann Bridges have agreed to provide money for this.
c. Suggestions are being solicited for the diversity hot topics that will replace the Native American topic.
d. Student Appreciation event—this program is tentatively scheduled for the first week of March. Barbara’s calendar shows that she is available this week and the afternoons are better for her schedule. The committee agreed to ask Jeff French to provide a list of students/supervisors who will be participating in this recognition event.
e. HR ‘Change’ event promotion—Allison volunteered to take care of advertising this program. If some of the library employees could not attend the program that is being offered in December, it was discussed possibly to invite HR to repeat the program here in the library.
f. Meeting dates for next semester—It was considered to start our meetings at 1:30 to accommodate some of our member’s class schedules. As of now, the meeting dates are: January 17th, January 31st, February 7th, February 21st, March 6th, March 20th, April 3rd, April 17th, May 1st. All of these meetings have been scheduled in room 605.
g. The subject of speakers from outside of library was addressed as there had been comment from a couple of people asking if this was appropriate, and the committee agreed that it was necessary to address issues by experts outside of library staff or faculty expertise.
3. Sub-Committees:
a. Outreach
Talk-About-It speakers—Thura reported that she has been diligently trying to reach Rita Geier to schedule her as a “Lets Talk About It” presenter. She promised to continue trying to reach her.
b. Staff Enrichment
Cultural Potluck—a lively discussion on this topic included:
a. Having a Hot Topics on regional cultural foods.
b. Having ethnic food.
c. Food of the world as themes for the Culture Potluck event
This event is scheduled for April 18th? A suggestion was to expand the program to have religions of the world as a part of the activity. Invite faculty from religious studies to participate.
4. Conclusion:
a. Jane Row wondered if the ‘Ready For The World’ committee and the Diversity Committee wasn’t participating in events that were similar, and so should be combined. Thura responded that Barbara had specifically stated that she did not want the two to combine- that they served two different functions.
b. Meeting adjourned.