Burlington Inclusivity Advisory Committee Meeting

Minutes

Meeting #:
Date:	Friday, April 16, 2021
Time:	9:00 A.m. - 11:00 A.m.
Location:	Virtual

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1.

Members present:

Carrie Overholt (Chair), Jim Young (Vice-Chair), Kumkum Bhandari, Rameen Sabet, Hiba Zinbarakji, Hanadi Al-Masri, Michael Brooks, Ron Baliko (left at 10:07 a.m.), Salma Emam (left at 10:00 a.m.)

2.

Members regrets:

Jenna Bye, Ryan Smith, Heba Lamloum, Amreen Rahman

3.

Others present:

Councillor Angelo Bentivegna, Denise Beard, (Manager of Community Development), Roxanne Gosse (Committee Assistant)

4.

Declarations of Interest:

none

5.

Approval of Minutes:

5.1

Approval of minutes from the meeting held on March 12, 2021

On Motion, the minutes from the meeting held on March 12, 2021 were approved. CARRIED

6.

Delegation(s): 

None

7.

Regular Items:

7.1

“Together We are Burlington,”

Denise presented to the committee on the City of Burlington's initiative titled "Together We are Burlington". It is a way for citizens of Burlington to share their stories about "random acts of community that really build our strength, sense of belonging and defines who we are as a city". Starting March 29, share your story on getinvolvedburlington.ca/together  by uploading your short video from YouTube or Vimeo (1 minute or less) or writing your story in 500 words or less. Denise asked the committee members to pass the word along to stakeholders within Burlington and if the members had any stories to share they could send them to her directly. For more information:  media release

7.2

Newcomer Strategy Workshop

Halton Newcomers Strategy Community Consultation was hosted by Halton Region on March 26, 2021. The event focused on the implementation and prioritization of the strategic actions that HNS will strive to complete over the next year to support newcomers in Halton. Members who attended the event stated it was informative, there needs to be a stronger link to other institutions. A one stop shop to provide resources for newcomers, in having everything in one place would be beneficial. Committee feels that HNS needs to be better promoted. A mentorship program would allow better communication of the programs and resources for newcomers. 

MOTION: Committee would like to have a resource list on the BIAC webpage. CARRIED.

ACTION: resource list to be discussed further. Kum Kum to forward list to clerk.

MOTION:  Richard Cloke from the HNS Action Group, Halton Region to speak at a BIAC meeting. CARRIED.

ACTION:  Roxanne to contact Richard Cloke

MOTION: Having an annual meeting with municipalities and the Region (HNR Roundtable) CARRIED.

7.3

Emergency Preparedness and Mental Readiness during COVID-19

Denise spoke regarding emergency preparedness and mental readiness running from May 3-9. Emergency preparedness focuses on to be better prepared to protect people and their families during emergencies (May 3-9). Mental readiness (May 4-10) by protecting yourself not only from physical harm but also from mental stress and harm during COVID-19.  more information

Denise also mentioned that there is a documentary titled "The Great Disconnect" focusing on the concerning disconnect in our society. There will be two screenings of the this documentary you may be able to watch this documentary May 4 –11 AM –1:00 PM –Focus on mental health and first responders panelist and May 6 –6:00-8:00 PM-focus on community mental health and sense of belonging.  Check out this trailer!

7.4

Halton Equity and Diversity Roundtable Charter endorsement

Denise stated that the Halton Equity and Diversity Roundtable Charter was endorsed by the City of Burlington at the  December 7, 2020 EICS committee and approved at the December 14, 2020 council meeting.  The Halton Equity and Diversity Roundtable (HEDR) is a Halton wide organization that works with, “organizations, institution, groups, businesses and individual community that is committed to building systemic inclusions and equity in Halton.” (HEDR website)

7.5

2021 Workplan and Budget

a.

Introduction to workplan and budget process

Roxanne provided an overview for the annual report, workplan and budget. BIAC's annual report must provide highlights of the committee's activities for the past year, and a work plan for the current year with an annual budget request.

The budget request includes projects and activities in support of the committee’s mandate and terms of reference, an amount is to be assigned to projects and activities.

The deadline to complete BIAC’s workplan and budget would be by our next meeting of May 14. 

All the citizen advisory committees annual report/work plans, and purposed budgets will go to committee and council in June by report.

b.

2021 Draft Workplan

a.

Workplan topic:

MOTION: approved anti-racism as the topic of the workplan CARRIED

b.

Discussion on workplan

Committee will review the proposed workplan drafted by the Chair and will finalize workplan at the next meeting on May 14, 2021. 

8.

Other Business:

none

9.

Adjournment:

Chair adjourned the meeting at 10:31 a.m.