Whitby Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee Minutes

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Hybrid Meeting
Whitby Town Hall
Present:
  • Lynn Collins, Chair
  • Eva Guta
  • Jamil Qamar, Vice-Chair
  • Robin Steed
  • Angela Thomas
Regrets:
  • Anjali Thorve
Also Present:
  • Shelby Moffat, Whitby Public Library Representative
  • Kim Evans, Manager, 55+ Recreation, Accessibility & Diversity
  • Heather Ellis, Council and Committee Coordinator (Recording Secretary)

1.
Call to Order

 

2.
Declarations of Conflict of Interest

 

There were no declarations of conflict of interest.

3.
Approval of Previous Minutes

 

  • Recommendation:

    Moved byEva Guta

    That the Whitby Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee minutes of May 2, 2024 be approved.

    Carried

4.
Presentations

 

4.1
Kim Evans, Manager, 55+ Recreation, Accessibility and Diversity, and Mattson Meere, Supervisor, Parks Planning, Town of Whitby

 

Re: Whitby Parks and Recreation Master Plan

Kim Evans and Mattson Meere provided a presentation regarding the Town of Whitby's Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Highlights of the presentation included:

  • an overview of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan;
  • a summary of the process for developing the Parks and Recreation Master Plan;
  • details of parkland, facility, and service delivery recommendations;
  • phasing in the implementation of recommendations;
  • investigating funding opportunities for projects identified in the Master Plan; and,
  • next steps for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

A question and answer period ensued regarding:

  • factors that determine whether a park is updated, such as neighbourhood population size;
  • whether consideration was given to establishing new parklands and facilities along public transit routes;
  • whether feedback was received from Indigenous groups; and,
  • including community gardens in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

5.
Delegations

 

There were no delegations.

6.
General Business and Reports

 

6.1
Upcoming Events

 

Kim Evans provided an update regarding recent and upcoming events including:

  • Pride Flag Raising;
  • National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations at Celebration Square on June 8, 2024;
  • Youth Pride Day on June 22, 2024;
  • Emancipation Day on August 1, 2024; and,
  • the New Resident Bus Tour in September.

Shelby Moffatt provided an update regarding Whitby Public Library programs including:

  • Star Lore and Constellations of Indigenous North America in June 2024;
  • the Dream Catcher Interactive Activity on September 9, 2024; and,
  • Star Lore and Constellations of Indigenous North America on September 18 and 25, 2024.

Shelby Moffat requested financial sponsorship in the amount of $150 for the September Star Lore and Constellations of Indigenous North America events, and $530 for the Dream Catcher Interactive Activity.

  • Recommendation:

    Moved byEva Guta

    That $680 be drawn from the Whitby Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee’s annual budget to fund the following events:

    1. Star Lore and Constellations of Indigenous North America, in the amount of $150; and,
    2. Dream Catcher Interactive Activity, in the amount of $530.
    Carried

6.2
Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee and Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee Event Subcommittee Recruitment

 

Kim Evans requested that Members volunteer to sit on the Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee and Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee Event Subcommittee. Ms. Evans stated that the Subcommittee would focus on planning Member's participation at the Harvest Festival and Christmas in the Village.

Discussion ensued regarding:

  • inviting an Indigenous Elder as a guest speaker at the Harvest Festival Joint Committee booth;
  • serving traditional Indigenous foods at the Harvest Festival Joint Committee booth; and,
  • preapproving a spending budget for the Committee’s Harvest Festival expenses.

  • Recommendation:

    Moved byAngela Thomas

    That the Whitby Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee approves a spending budget of up to $1,000 for Harvest Festival expenses to be drawn from the Committee's annual budget.

    Carried

6.3
Upcoming Guest Presentations

 

Kim Evans requested feedback regarding requests for guest presenters at upcoming Whitby Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee meetings.

A brief discussion ensued regarding requesting a presentation from the Communications and Creative Services Division.

7.
Correspondence

 

There was no correspondence.

8.
Council Update

 

There was no Council update.

9.
Other Business

 

9.1
Indigenous Written Artists at the Whitby Public Library

 

Lynn Collins suggested that the Whitby Public Library include Indigenous authors and creators at events such as Spoken Word Artist events and author talks.

9.2
Minds-On Charity

 

Kim Evans advised that Minds-On Charity, an organization dedicated to free learning and mentorship opportunities for marginalized children, was seeking a partnership with the Town. Ms. Evans stated that Minds-On Charity was hosting a summer camp.

Discussion ensued regarding:

  • a partnership between Minds-On Charity and Town camps held at Jeffrey Street Park; and,
  • a partnership between Minds-On Charity and the 1855 Accelerator for tech resources.

9.3
Education Sessions for Recreation Program Registration

 

Kim Evans suggested that Members volunteer to host education sessions alongside Town staff teaching residents how to navigate the online registration portal for recreation programs.

A brief discussion ensued regarding offering online pre-recorded training session videos and transcribing them in other languages.

10.
Next Meeting

 

Thursday, September 5, 2024 - 7:00 p.m.

11.
Adjournment

 

  • Recommendation:

    Moved byEva Guta

    That the meeting adjourn.

    Carried

    The meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m.


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