City of Wheaton Community Relations Commission met Aug. 2.
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
In-Person or Virtual Attendance
I. Call to Order Erica called the meeting to order at 7:07 pm
II. Welcome
a. Welcome to new commissioners Andrea Clayton and Mariaines (Ines) Valdez
III. Roll Call
In Person: Meg Beasley, Andrea Clayton Sam Hardy, Mike Hodel, Saleha Jawaid, Erica Nelson, David Sohmer, Ines Valdez.
Via Zoom: Scott Chedister
Absent: Laura Peccarelli, Marco Scola, Ben Waterman, and Angela Welker
IV. Approval of Minutes
a. Approval of minutes from June 7, 2023. David motioned that the minutes be approved as presented; seconded by Sam. Minutes approved.
V. Old Business
a. National Guard 300th Anniversary - Partner Program
i. Recap of July 1 event, “First Shot at Gettysburg”
1. Erica and David handed out flyers at the French Market
2. David shared recap from DuPage County Historical Museum
a. An estimated that 150 people attended the re-enactment
b. Festival of Cultures - WCRC Program
i. Entertainment and cultural booth updates - Erica
1. Performances confirmed: Salsa del Norte, Murphy Roche, Midwest Soarring, Funkadesi, and Wheaton College Gospel Choir
a. Outreach to World Relief for speakers to provide stories of coming to DuPage County in between each act
b. Cultural groups - 13 confirmed groups, waiting for 8 to return commitment, 3 on list to contact
c. Budget is in good shape with $3,000 surplus due to increase in sponsorships
d. Tony Asta and Haaris Uddin will emcee the event
ii. Sponsorship updates - David
1. Two final sponsors secured
a. Amplify EFT for $500 - Silver
b. Innovator ETF for $1,000 - Gold
iii. Communications - Meg
1. Flyers are printed. Commission members are encouraged to take flyers to post in downtown and the south side of Wheaton
2. Save the date announcement made in August 3 Wheaton Weekly
iv. T-shirts - Sam
1. $250 - $350 for 25 to 35 shirts with two to three weeks lead time
2. Shirts for commission members, council members, and Key Club
3. Erica will send an email to commission members to get shirt sizes
v. Passport program - Ines and Angie
1. Meg, Angie, and Ines are meeting to discuss passport
vi. Student art submissions - Angie
1. Outreach to St. Francis, Wheaton North High School, Wheaton Warrenville South High School, and Clare Woods as well as middle school (home schooled children informed through art programs at schools)
2. Needs two commissioners to help Angie select artwork (Saleha and Ines)
3. Selected artwork - student will receive a $50 gift card
4. All submitted art will be displayed at festival
vii. Student volunteers - Andrea
1. Wheaton North Key Club teacher contacts identified
2. Two opportunities
a. Day of Festival of Cultures
i. Set up tables, clean up, and help with activities
1. 7 volunteers from 12-2 pm
2. 7 volunteers from from 4-6 pm
3. T-shirts and lunch provided to students
b. Flyer distribution
i. Saturday, September 2 and 9
1. 9:30-11:30 am both days
2. Mike is flyer distribution point person on 9/2
3. Ines is point person on 9/9
viii. Food trucks - Cilantro Tacos, Billy Bricks (pizza and ice cream), and Hello Boba
ix. Extra Volunteer Needs
1. Purchase toy giveaways as prizes for completed passports as well as a “treasure chest.” Scott agreed to take research cost of 500 items
2. Someone to bring cooler with water bottles - Saleha
3. Erica will bring a first aid kit
4. Bring small bucket, rags, and table cleaner - Sam
VI. New Business
a. Partner programs
i. Native American History Month program at the Wheaton Public Library will feature Chief White Winnebago “The Reintroduction of the Native Americans into Illinois.” To be presented in conjunction with library and League of Women Voters of Wheaton.
1. Meg motioned that we spend $100 from partner program budget to cosponsor event; Sam seconded
2. Motion passed
b. Wheaton Gives Back - WCRC program with partners
i. Meg announced that the PRC will again collaborate with the commission to present the Stuff-a-Truck day in October as well as the winter clothing drive.
c. Attendance
i. Erica emphasized the need to have a quorum with in-person attendance
VII. Public Comment
Bari Ericson from the Library clarified information about November program
Bill Donofrio of the DuPage Hispanic Alliance attended the meeting due to his interest in the Festival of Cultures. He has worked on several similar events and will meet with Erica to determine how we can work together.
VIII. Adjournment Motion was made to end the meeting at 8:12 pm
https://www.wheaton.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08022023-2348
Alerts Sign-up