Burlington Inclusivity Advisory Committee Meeting

Minutes

Meeting #:
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
3800 Constable Henshaw Blvd. (Halton Regional Police Services)

Doug Martin (Chair), Rana Al Semaani (Vice Chair), Maroun Naser, Jim Young, Heba Lamloum, Mumba Litana, Jenna Bye, Carrie Overholt, Roy LaChapelle

Kate Dunn, Kumkum Bhandari, Girish Parekh, Brent Hughes, Ron Baliko

Councillor Bentivegna, Lisa Palermo (Clerk)

Committee members agreed to focus the 2019 work plan on the theme of sense of belonging.  Committee members subsequently agreed to apply the theme to two specific stakeholder groups; newcomers and persons who are economically disenfranchised.

Two subcommittees were formed to focus on each of the stakeholder groups.  The subcommittees will meet prior to the next BIAC meeting to create a list of items that can be considered for inclusion in the work plan.

Subcommittees will discuss:

  • how to make the stakeholder group feel that they belong in their community
  • identify groups/organizations/individuals for BIAC to engage with to become more informed and to create partnerships
  • create a list of actionable items for the full committee to consider for inclusion in the work plan.

Newcomers subcommittee: Maroun, Roy, Kumkum, Rana, Heba

Economically disenfranchised subcommittee: Carrie, Jenna, Doug, Jim, Mumba

The event subcommittee will meet after the final work plan has been established and next steps identified.

Carrie relayed that she is a member of the Community of Practice.  The group networks on hot topics related to inclusivity and diversity.  They are putting out a newsletter in May as a way of sharing ideas, updates on projects.  Carrie suggested that this may be an opportunity for BIAC to share and learn from one another.  Members agreed that Carrie would represent BIAC at the Community of Practice and share ideas and information between the two groups.

Rana shared information regarding the Equity and Inclusion Office at McMaster.  The Equity and Inclusion office EIO at McMaster University works closely with staff, students and faculty members to advance equity and inclusion. The Human Rights, Equity, Accessibility, Respect Toolkit (H.E.A.R.T) are offering workshops for free. If 3 are completed attendees will get a certificate of attendance. Lisa will send an email with links to the various workshops.