City of Wheaton Community Relations Commission met Oct. 5.
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
I. Call to Order 7:04 pm Laura motioned; Scott, seconded
II. Welcome
III. Roll Call
a. Present: Rachel Bautista, Scott Chedister, Mike Hodel, Erica Nelson, Laura Peccarelli, David Sohmer, and Ben Waterman,
b. Meg Beasley and Saleha Jawaid joined via Zoom
c. Absent: Marco Scola and Angela Welker
IV. Approval of Minutes Meg motioned; Ben seconded; unanimously approved as amended.
V. Old Business
a. Rachel reported on the new process for 2023 program planning and budgeting
i. Will look at previous year (2021) and report on those numbers
ii. Year in review of 2021 will summarize and break out by focus areas for 2023 WCRC programs.
b. Meetings in October and November to focus on 2023 program and budget review
i. Total budget due on 10/7 (high level summary), details to be included with ‘23 annual report
ii. Aligned with Mike Dzugan and Andrea Rosedale that CRC will submit Annual report (‘21 summary with current planned ‘23 activities) no later than early Dec (goal is after 11/2 CRC meeting) to allow the CRC to dedicate 2 meetings to align & discuss on ‘23 programs.
c. Latin X/Hispanic Heritage Month Programs
i. Roots of DuPage’s Latinx Community; LatinX, Hispanic, Latino, Latine: Terminology History & How Each is Embraced Today.
1. Overall attendance was low for each program (~15 attendees each), but in line with attendance from other similarly themed panel discussions.
2. Programming topic
a. David raised concerns about the use of Latinx in program titles and questioned if we should be aiming for programs that engage all residents.
b. Rachel explained that program titles are generated by the presenters and one program was specifically about the range of terminology used to refer to people of Latin American descent, which includes Latinx, so using Latinx in the title was a core part of the program description. These programs were informed based on conversations with our community partners. Additionally, she reiterated that as a commission, we need to be mindful that it will be impossible to come up with programs that appeal to every resident. We should continue to ensure our programs are guided by our purpose statement: “to foster and promote understanding, mutual respect, cooperation, and positive relations in a diverse inclusive community.” As a guiding principle for the programs the WCRC sponsors, we will continue to leverage insights from our community partners to help inform programming opportunities.
ii. Ida B. Wells presentation by her great-granddaughter Michelle Duster
1. Taking place both virtually and in-person at the library
2. WCRC partners for the event are the League of Women Voters of Wheaton and the Wheaton Public Library
iii. Wheaton Gives Back
1. PRC Stuff-a-Truck/unloading volunteers are signing up
2. Winter Gear Drive boxes were delivered to 19 downtown locations, identified by the Downtown Wheaton Association. Each location received bags and instructions on how to contact PRC if boxes filled up before the end of the drive. Event is being promoted in the Wheaton Weekly emails, social media, and in the Wheaton Patch.
iv. Veteran’s Day
1. Nothing set as of yet for this year
2. Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans
a. There is a wishlist for boots and other items
b. Erica will reach out to see if this is a good fit for WCRC
II. New Business
a. Budget Update - Most representative budget is 2021 when there was a full slate of members and full calendar of programming. The addition of the Sister City Commission as part of WCRC is also a consideration.
i. The WCRC budget in 2021 was ~$13,000
1. WCRC did go over budget in 2021
ii. We’re planning to have a full slate of programs in 2023, so using 2021 actuals as a starting point we plan to request $16,600 for 2023 - increases due to Festival of Cultures, Good Citizens and Partner Programs (as detailed in Section 2.b). Will continue to seek sponsorships for flagship events
b. ‘23 Budget - Individual program detail
i. Festival of Cultures
1. WCRC will bring back food trucks (not included for 2021 event) which were provided at no charge in previous events. With the popularity of food trucks, the commission anticipates an additional fee in 2023.
2. Costs associated with the event included stipends for the performers and compensation for the speakers and emcee.
ii. Good Citizens Award
1. Program was elevated in the last 3 to 4 years to be a more professional application and selection process
2. Criteria: the nominees are residents of Wheaton, they are not paid for their highlighted accomplishments (ie, it is not part of their job) and they are not running for political office.
3. 45 applications received in 2021 (not-for-profit, group, adult, and teen); of those, 13 recipients were selected through a blind application process
4. Because of Covid, there was no reception in 2021, but “A Good Citizen Lives Here” yard signs were given to recipients, which doubled as a recognition for both the recipient and program. Each Good Citizen also received an inscribed glass award.
5. We plan to add in funds to cover a reception for 2023.
iii. Partner Programs will be a separate line item
1. Past partners include Wheaton Chamber of Commerce, the Wheaton Public Library, the Downtown Wheaton Association, the League of Women Voters of Wheaton, CUSD 200, DuPage Historical Museum, the VFW, Cantigny, and others)
2. Increasing to $2,000 to broaden the range of programs and allow for new partnerships with other community organizations (ie, Sponsoring a flag at the Field of Honor at Seven Gables during the 4th of July; potential of a September 11 event; reindeer for DWA; poinsettias, and other ongoing partnerships with existing community organizations)
iv. Wheaton Gives Back (formerly Make a Difference Day) - created a separate line item in the budget for this effort since it is one of our tentpole events.
v. Sister City - included funds to cover expenses related to having a presence at Festival of Cultures
vi. Motion made by Laura to approve budget changes as discussed; David seconded; budget changes approved.
c. Annual Report to be guided by seven focus areas as outlined in our purpose statement i.
All were aligned to the following program mapping for the Annual Report:
ii. Focus area #5: We will include a recommendation in our annual report to city council to have a booth presence at Festival of Cultures
iii. 11/2 monthly meeting will focus on finalizing the annual report we’ll submit to ensure we’re aligned with the metrics and goals (attendance or broader goals).
Timing will be mapped out and a time frame for partner programs will be developed post annual report submission.
III. Adjournment: 8:32 pm Laura motioned; Scott seconded; unanimously approved
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