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June 11, 2003
Attendees: Wayne, Perry, Norm and Bob
Norm prepared letters of appreciation for a couple individuals that supported TSUC.
Norm also prepared some letters of reference to several groups for an individual who assisted us on a recent
issue.
Norm to forward copy of letters to Bob for the TSUC files.
Norm to attend the ADA meeting on June 13th
Tri-State Disabilities Awareness Council sent TSUC a certificate and plaque for participating in their "Music
is the Best Medicine" event in May.
Wayne will return the historical files at a future meeting.
TSUC has a new URL - www.tristateunity.org
Bill Rice, a local attorney, reviewed the TSUC job application and there were minor revisions. Laurie prepared
the application based on several other sources mostly from educational institutions.
The search for a Director is on-going and we already have an excellent candidate. The search was announced in
a new release and posted on the website.
TSUC is considering sending some volunteers to participate in Pike United Way's Day of Caring.
Norm donated a TSUC membership to SPARC - $25. They have a conference on grant writing in June. TSUC will not
able to send a representative since the conference is in Harrisburg and none of us were available.
The wheelchair lift at the Columns was the major aspect of the project but there were other items to improve
accessibility. TSUC should assess the Columns progress on these items in the near future.
Bob contacted a local religious organization that experienced an recent act of intolerance. He offered TSUC's
assistance. Satanic symbols were spray painted on the road in front of their building. They had already taken care
of the matter and filed a report with the State Police. TSUC become aware of this incident from someone at our
May meeting.
TSUC reviewed our ideas for a proposal concerning the Tom Quick monument issues. We plan to send our proposal
to the MBC for their next meeting on July 7th.
We will hold our proposal until after the TQ Meeting on June 25th since new perspectives may becomes available
that we may need to address. Furthermore, the TQ Inn Meeting was not an MBC sponsored meeting. We decided to attend
the TQ Meeting
July 9, 2003
Attendees: Bob, Wayne, Norm and Perry
There were two guests.
The guests informed us of events at the Pike County Dispatch and this was consistent with our experience.
Tom Quick Monument
TSUC presented its Pathway to a Resolution concerning the Tom Quick Monument to the MBC by letter on June 26th.
We discussed our proposal with the Milford Borough Council at the council meeting on July 7, 2003. The Borough
Council indicated that our proposal was well written but they planned to work with the PCHS on the issues. The
decision to work with the PCHS was not previously known. They also stated that they would also consider other public
comments.
Our hope is that process to a resolution chosen by the PCHS and Council will bring about a comprehensive and lasting
solution and will be made with appropriate representatives of the Delaware Indians. TSUC is pleased that the Council
is seeking resolution to the monument issues and will consider public opinion. Therefore, TSUC will defer plans
to form a committee at this time. A letter will be sent to the Milford Borough Council informing them of our decision.
Postmeeitng Note: This letter was send to Milford Borough Council on July 29, 2003
TSUC will extend an offer to the candidate for the Director position but in the capacity of a consultant rather
than a Directorship. The consultant will assist us in developing a diversity program. The offer is contingent on
the criminal background and reference checks.
August 13, 2003
Attendees: Bob, Wayne, Norm and Perry
Guests: Valerie and Representatives from the Sussex County Community College Women's Center
Consultant - An offer was extended to the candidate on July 10th. The criminal background and reference check was
completed on July 11th and 31st, respectively and there were no issues. Due to a recent serious accident in the
consultant's family, there was no additional progress.
We discussed the possibility of giving a presentation on the role of diversity groups in a community to the SCCC
Women's Center at their Friday Nigh Forums. They were excited about the idea. They need to discuss with their group
and will get back to us.
TSUC will send some volunteers for Pike United Way's Day of Caring on September 13th.
September 10, 2003
Attendees: Perry, Wayne and Bob
Treasurer's report discussed. Insurance to be paid.
There were no more volunteer opportunities available for the Pike United Way's Day of Caring. TSUC did not sign
up in time and will not be able to participate.
Postmeeting Note: Bob put together an additional Day of Caring project for the Pike United Way. TSUC volunteers
(and others) assisted the Pike United Way with their PikePaHelp.org site. Since we signed up after the deadline,
there was no more space at the breakfast or tee shirts.
Tom Quick Monument
Perry and Bob attended the September Milford Borough Council (MBC). Bill Kiger from the MBC and the Pike County
Historical Society (PCHS), presented the PCHS's proposal for the Tom Quick Monument at the meeting. There was no
prior public notice that the TQM proposal was be presented nor was this item on the meeting agenda.
The PCHS proposal was to put the monument back up with some additional wording on the monument base to provide
context. Refer to the press reports from the meeting for more details.
Perry made a formal request at the meeting allow public comment for a month prior to the MBC's vote on the proposal.
Perry made this request as an individual and did not declare his association with TSUC. The MBC said there was
sufficient time for public comment since the monument was destroyed four years ago and the TQ Inn Meeting was in
June, 2003. Therefore the MBC voted and approved the PCHS proposal. Bill Kiger said that the monument should go
back up as soon as possible and the wording would be added later. At least one member of the MBC questioned putting
the monument back up without the wording but it was later deemed appropriate.
The request for a one month public comment period was not unreasonable. The MBC only announced in July that they
would work with the PCHS on a resolution to the issues. The TQ Inn Meeting in June was not affiliated with the
MBC nor was a proposal discussed at the meeting. The PCHS' proposal was only made public for the first time at
the MBC meeting in September and there was no prior public notice that a proposal would be made at the meeting.
The MBC also stated that the monument issue was not a Pike County issue but only for the Borough. They failed to
see the implications the monument has for the county and region.
Future Items
The term of Board of Directors is two years with consecutive terms allowed. Term in any specific office is two
years with one consecutive term allowed. The Chairperson can not hold other offices but other officers may hold
one other position.
The by-laws were approved in July 2001 but the organization's fiscal year is from January to December. The year
for terms of the Board of Directors and officers was not defined. A motion will be made at our next meeting to
define the terms and align them with the organization's fiscal year
Norm Gasbarro served in the capacity of Chairperson since November, 2001. He was acting chair (in place of Rosanne)
until February, 2003 and then Chairperson. Bob and Perry served in their present capacity (Secretary and Treasurer,
respectively) since July 2001. Bob was also Vice Chairperson from February 2003.
Draft Motions:
The fiscal year of the organization and terms for Board of Director and the Executive Committee shall be from
January 1st to December 31st.
The present Board of Directors will continue to serve on the Board for a second term beginning January 1, 2004.
The officers of the Executive Committee will be as follows effective immediately with their terms officially starting
on January 1, 2004 and ending on December 31, 2005:
Perry Gower will be Chairperson
Robert Veneziale will be Vice Chairperson and Secretary
Norm Gasbarro will be acting Treasurer until the Board appoints a new member and officer.
Minutes Submitted by Bob on September 27, 2003
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