Whitby Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee Minutes

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Hybrid Meeting
Whitby Town Hall
Present:
  • Lynn Collins, Chair
  • Vanessa Drekmann, Vice-Chair
  • Eva Guta
  • Jamil Qamar
  • Robin Steed
Regrets:
  • Angela Thomas
  • Anjali Thorve
Also Present:
  • Erica Mittag, Staff Liaison, Manager, 55+ Recreation, Accessibility and 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 February 6, 2025 be approved.

    Carried

4.
Presentations

 

4.1
Dimitri DaSilva, Secretary, and Jayme Harper, Volunteer, Durham Alliance Outreach

 

Re: Overview of Durham Alliance Outreach Education and Support Programs

Dimitri DaSilva provided a presentation on the Durham Alliance Outreach Education and Support Programs. Highlights of the presentation included:

  • information about the history of Durham Alliance Outreach (DAO);
  • DAO’s vision to create a society where everyone feels empowered, accepted, and supported;
  • advancing education by offering workshops and lectures that focus on essential life skills;
  • fostering partnerships between Club 717, DAO, and Pride Durham; and,
  • delivering community programs including the DAO Pantry, a 2SLGBTQIA+ food bank, peer to peer support groups, and education workshops.

5.
Delegations

 

There were no delegations.

6.
General Business and Reports

 

6.1
Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee and Whitby Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee Meeting Review

 

Erica Mittag provided a summary of the discussions from the March 4, 2025 Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee and Whitby Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee meeting.

Discussion ensued regarding:

  • an opportunity to review strategies and tips for incorporating inclusive language and the promotion of equity and inclusion in all materials published by the Town;
  • establishing a working group and aligning their goals with the Town's IDEA project; and,
  • creating spaces for meaningful conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion.

6.2
A Seat at the Table, Whitby Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee Cookbook Project Update

 

Erica Mittag provided an update regarding A Seat at the Table, the Whitby Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee's Cookbook Project.

Discussion ensued regarding:

  • distributing the Recipe Rack Cards at Town facilities;
  • an update on the recipes and photos shared to the A Seat at the Table webpage; and,
  • a future hardcopy version of the virtual cookbook.

6.3
Upcoming Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Events

 

Erica Mittag provided information about upcoming Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion events. Ms. Mittag provided details about the film screening, Advantage Gained, on May 29, 2025 at the Whitby Public Library. She stated that the documentary follows Elliot Smith, a local resident, who found inclusion and belonging through team sports. Ms. Mittag provided information about Whitby’s Home Sweet Home Festival, hosted by the Town of Whitby and Downtown Whitby Business Improvement Area (BIA) on July 26, 2025. She stated that the Committee would host a table at the festival.

Erica Mittag stated that a proclamation request was submitted on behalf of the Whitby Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee to proclaim November 8, 2025 as National Indigenous Veterans' Day. 

  • Recommendation:

    Moved byRobin Steed

    That $1000 be drawn from the Whitby Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee’s 2025 annual budget to cover the cost of the film screening of Advantage Gained hosted by the Town of Whitby and Whitby Public Library.

    Carried

6.4
Committee Swag

 

Erica Mittag provided information about options for ordering committee swag and an itemized cost list.

Discussion ensued regarding logo branding and items to identify Committee Members at events including Committee T-shirts.

6.5
Whitby Public Library Update

 

Note: This matter was deferred to a future Whitby Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee meeting.

7.
Council Update

 

There was no Council update.

8.
Other Business

 

There was no other business.

9.
Next Meeting

 

Thursday, May 1, 2025 - 7:00 p.m.

10.
Adjournment

 

  • Recommendation:

    Moved byEva Guta

    That the meeting adjourn.

    Carried

    The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.


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