FIRST MEETING OF THE

MARKHAM RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE

FOR 2006

TOWN OF MARKHAM

Ontario Room, Markham Civic Centre

January 9, 2006

 

MINUTES

 

Attendance

 

Members

 

Regrets

Alex Ribeiro

 

Raza Sumar

Linda Stewart, Chair

 

Iris Leung

Ghulam Sajan

 

Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti

Murali Visvalingam

 

Warren Ali

Councillor E. Shapero

 

 

Jan Godschalk

 

 

Moe Mohammed

 

 

Vicki Brar

 

 

 

 

 

 

Staff
Chris Raynor, Committee Secretary

The first meeting of the Markham Race Relations Committee in 2006 convened at

7:35 p.m. with Ms. Linda Stewart in the Chair.

 

1.         MINUTES OF EIGHTH MARKHAM RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING IN 2005 HELD ON NOVEMBER 7, 2005

 

The Town of Markham Race Relations Committee recommends:

 

That the Minutes of the Town of Markham Race Relations Committee meeting held on November 7, 2005, be adopted.

CARRIED

 

 

2.         REPORT ON PRESENTATION TO COUNCIL – VISION, MISSION AND VALUES

 

Ms. L. Stewart advised that the mission, vision and values was presented to Council, and was endorsed by them, on November 29, 2005. The Committee was advised that the presentation was very well-received by Council.

 

 

3.         MEETING WITH CAO

 

Ms. Stewart advised that following the presentation with Council, she met with Mr. J. Livey, the Town’s CAO. She noted that it was a useful meeting and that there was a suggestion that the MRRC work more closely with the Region’s Character Council. It was also noted that Mayor Cousens has written a book called Building Character and that members might be interested in reading it.

 

It was noted that the Town is considering engaging a part-time Diversity Coordinator and that Ms. Stewart will be meeting with Human Resources to discuss the requirements of such a role.

           

 

4.         MANY FACES OF MARKHAM 2006

 

The Committee was advised that the date for the 2006 event is confirmed as April 9, 2006. Mr. M. Visvalingam will chair the Organizing Committee. A number of names were suggested as possible keynote speakers and Ms. Stewart agreed to work with the Mayor’s Office to send out engagement requests. There was general agreement that tickets for the event be priced at $5.

 

 

5.         VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION CELEBRATION

 

The Committee was advised that, although Mr. J. Godschalk and Mr. A. Ribeiro were nominated for the Volunteer Appreciation Celebration, the event was cancelled due to the federal call for election. It is hoped that the event will be rescheduled following the election.

 

 

6.         SUB-COMMITTEE CHAIRS

           

There was general discussion surrounding the likely work of each sub-committee, particularly the Events and Policy Sub-Committees, and volunteers were selected. Ms. V. Brar, Ms. L. Stewart, Mr. G. Sajan

 

 

7.         NEW BUSINESS

 

a)         Annual Celebration Dinner

 

THE TOWN OF MARKHAM RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That $208.83, being the cost of the Markham Race Relations Committee Annual Celebration Dinner, be paid from the Committee’s account number 200-9985859.

CARRIED

 

b)         MOSAIC Interfaith Group – Peace Dinner

 

The Committee was advised that the Peace Dinner will be held on January 15 in Mississauga and that all members are invited to attend.

 

 

8.         ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting closed at 8:50 p.m.