HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/12/2021 REAC MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, August 12, 2021
Race Equity Advisory Committee
6:00 PM
Race & Equity Advisory Committee Members In attendance: Present: Darryl R., Gleanna
M., Sarah VG., Erin B., Michael G., Quinn D., Leslie D.
Not Present: Airen L., Faye F., Cely Q.
House Keeping: FOR September: Tribal Acknowledgement- Darryl R., Timekeeper- Gleanna
M., Facilitator- Erin B, Note Taker- Quinn D.
Welcome/Intros: Welcome Councilmember Quinn Dennehy to the committee and Intros of
Committee Members
Public Comment: was shared by Roy Runyon and Jeff Campbell via chat.
Approve Minutes for July. Motion to approve by Gleanna, seconded by Michael, Approved
Unanimously
Council Update:
• Hiring of Police Chief-suggestion to hire Chief Wolfe. If it goes to a hiring, suggestion of
more community leaders to be part of the hiring process and no council members
attending.
• Lodging Tax update
Old Business:
BIPOC Forum #2: September 3, 2021, via zoom. Focus on contracting with Federal Govt
New Business:
Share with networks Joseph Backhom, speaking at Gateway Church on Aug. 22, 2021.
Concerns of being Anti-LGBTQ (See Flyer attached)
Sub Committee Reports:
Change of Power: Informal Survey asked of community members. More info in Sept.
Educate/Communicate: No report
Business/New Economy: Next BIPOC Forum Sept 3. Concerns of recovery of Small BIPOC
Business owners from Covid
Meeting Adjourned at 7:15pm
Next Meeting via Zoom 2nd Thursday of the Month.
Thursday, September 9, 2021, at 6:00 pm
Closing Remarks/Chat Notes:
Now is a really great time for white men to keep quiet.
From Me to Everyone: 06:26 PM
Thank you, Mr. Campbell, for your input. Thank you, Mr. Runyon, for your input as well.
From Roy Runyon to Everyone: 06:31 PM
Why would Mr. Dennehy assume I'm "white?"
It proves my point that this committee seems to wanna' pigeon hole everyone into a "racial
classification" as if a set of genes that results in outward physical characteristics is the most
important aspect of an individual rather than the "content of one's character" to paraphrase Dr.
MLK, Jr.
From Roy Runyon to Everyone: 06:40 PM
BIPOC is an acronym. What does it stand for anyone?
From Erin Burrows to Everyone: 06:40 PM
Sarah, do you know if your group would like assistance with outreach for this event?
BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous and People of Color
Race & Equity Advisory Committee Virtual Meeting Minutes
From Roy Runyon to Everyone: 06:40 PM
Thank you.
From Glenna Matteson to Everyone: 06:41 PM
Sarah, will you send along the flyer once it's finalized? Happy to send out to outreach contacts,
and attend in support.
From Sarah van Gelder to Everyone: 06:42 PM
Yes, good question. And thanks, Glenna. I’ll check with Faye, or you could do that. I’ve been on
the periphery of this planning.
From Glenna Matteson to Everyone: 06:42 PM
I'll reach out to Faye! Thanks Sarah :)
From Erin Burrows to Everyone: 06:51 PM
Here are the TOP PRIORITIES of Change The Power working team, as established at our early
2021 Bremerton REAC retreat: (1) The work of the Race Equity Advisory Committee must
engage all branches of the City government and have cohesive collaboration through
meaningful relational work across all branches. (Bring community support and resources to
bear, as needed.) (2) Educate City power structure --Council, Mayor, Department Heads,
Human Resources, staff, etc.-- about the harms of systemic racism and need for REAC. (Lean
on the community for participation in and advice on our efforts.) (3) Assess current
policies/procedures as well as 2021 Mayor's Initiatives, Council Goals & Priorities, etc. Advise
from a race equity analysis; build toward having more influence and input for 2022 documents.
(Engage community participation, maybe Olympic College students or local high school students
learning civics, history, social justice, etc.)
Change the Power Community Forum Interview Questions: Questions for Conversations
(1) Give us three things you would like to see change within City of Bremerton
government. (2) Is there anything about City of Bremerton city governance that is already
anti-racist
(3) If City of Bremerton government were going to put some money toward dismantling racism,
where would you want to see that money go?
(4) Is there anything else we didn't talk about, that you want to mention?
From Roy Runyon to Everyone: 06:58 PM
Roy's phone: 360-440-0620.
Suggested Reading From Sarah van Gelder to Everyone: 06:59 PM
From Here to Equality, William Darity Jr., and A. Kirsten Mullen
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