City of Wheaton Community Relations Commission met May 3
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
I. Call to Order Erica called the meeting to order at 7:05 Laura motioned; David seconded. .
II. Welcome
III. Roll Call
In Person: Meg Beasley, Sam Hardy, Mike Hodel, Erica Nelson, Laura Peccarelli, David Sohmer, Ben Waterman, Angie Welker Zoom: Saleha Jawaid
Absent: Marco Scola and Scott Chedister
IV. Approval of Minutes
Ben motioned that the minutes be approved; seconded by Angie; minutes approved as presented.
V. Old Business
a. National Guard 300th Anniversary update - Partner Program-Discussion
i. Event to take place on July 1 from 10 am until 2 pm
ii. Event organized by the DuPage County Historical Museum
1. Adams Park Illinois 8th Calvary re-enactment group
2. A member of a Wheaton commission or board must attend in order for the museum to use the park
a. An idea to partner with Historic Commission with that commission sending a representative.
b. David will continue to work with the museum to find a workable plan.
VI. New Business
a. Good Citizens Awards - Commission program
i. Reception and roles of commissioners at the reception and event
1. Greeters David and Angie
2. Meg will ask Andrea to put up signage and program and remind city councilors that we have the reception
3. Erica will hand awards to mayor
4. Laura will hand out yard signs
5. Awards ordered and city was billed directly
6. Set up is at 5:30 pm (Ivy and My Half of the Sky) Angie and Ben will pick up food
a. Menu - flatbread, fruit skewers, and desserts, water, and or drinks
b. Erica will pick up plates, napkins, and cups and name tags
ii. Photos and Publicity following event
b. Festival of Cultures - Commission program
i. Performers
1. Discussed the breadth of cultural experiences and various organizations that participate.
a. Reviewed past event, World Tour at Adams Park, small event
i. In 2018, WCRC expanded efforts to include more cultural organizations.
b. Skokie Festival of Cultures (in 30th year - well-developed and a large event) and Evanston event WCRC developed a concise criteria that WCRC will use as a template.
i. Angie will put together our statement for eligibility for participants that is modeled on Skokie criteria
2. Outreach
a. Erica proposed that our original plan to divvy up invitations to groups be changed to having one commissioner taking charge so that confirmation and logistical details are consistent
b. Erica will coordinate outreach and send draft out to participants
i. Anticipates that many groups will return
ii. Asked commissioners for ideas for new participants
iii. Participants are required to fill out applications and describe activities and programs
c. Chairs and tables will no longer be donated; Mike will research cost of renting tables and chairs (40 tables and 60 chairs)
d. Activities and information is solely for educational purposes and this is conveyed in the correspondence inviting groups to participate
3. Performances - anchor performers secured
a. Midwest Soaring (indigenous native American group) exhibit and performance 20 to 25 minutes with a $500 honorarium
b. Salsa del Norte - Latin band - Four to six people - 45 minutes opening group
c. Funkadesi - Latin, Indian, and Jazz
i. Closing group with a 60-minute set
ii. Fee is $5,000 (matching of up to $3,000)
d. Sama Sama is not available
e. Awaiting confirmation from Wheaton Gospel Choir and Murphy Roche
4. Emcee and storytellers are needed
a. Will reach out to World Relief for people to share stories and other organizations.
b. Need to ensure that sound system projects clearly.
5. Laura will take over food truck arrangements
6. Safety plan needs to be in place - Sam will work with local contacts at fire department and Wheaton Park District
c. Commission Vacancies
i. Two vacancies on commission (Brianna Henley and Rachel Bautista)
1. Awaiting applications from the mayor
2. Erica will request a timeline
3. Communications and event planner skills would balance and complement experience and skills of current commission members
ii. Update on Marco Scola
1. Erica will reach out to Marco regarding the next 4 months
iii. Chair vacancy - Erica has offered to serve as chair
1. Will discuss and take action in June
2. Also have vacancy with Communications position
3. If Erica serves as chair, will need a Vice Chair
d. Month-Long Observances
i. Ben did some research on observations
ii. Commission did address this issue in 2020
iii. Erica will share Ben’s research and the outcome of the 2020 discussion during June meeting
VII. Public Comment
Jenny Jeanette of Wheaton attended the WCRC meeting to learn more about the role of the Wheaton Community Relations Commission. She commented that she wished more people knew more about the WCRC’s efforts.
VIII. Adjournment Motion was made to end the meeting at 8:14 pm by Laura; seconded by Mike.
https://www.wheaton.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05032023-2279
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