Whitby Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee Minutes

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Hybrid Meeting
Whitby Town Hall
Present:
  • Lynn Collins, Chair
  • Vanessa Drekmann, Vice-Chair
  • Jamil Qamar
  • Robin Steed
  • Anjali Thorve
Regrets:
  • Eva Guta
  • Angela Thomas
Also Present:
  • Councillor Yamada, Mayor's Designate
  • Kim Evans, Staff Liaison, Director, Recreation
  • Shelby Moffatt, Whitby Public Library Representative
  • Emma Chester, Youth Council Representative
  • 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 byRobin Steed

    That the Whitby Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee minutes of April 3, 2025 be approved.

    Carried

4.
Presentations

 

4.1
Amanda Morrow, Senior IDEA Specialist, Town of Whitby

 

Re: The Town of Whitby's Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism (IDEA) Project Update

Amanda Morrow provided a presentation regarding the Town of Whitby’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism (IDEA) Project update. Highlights of the presentation included:

  • a list of Town of Whitby Advisory Committees that align with the goals of advancing equity;
  • past, current, and upcoming initiatives that support the Community Strategic Plan and Culture Plan goals to enhance empathy, respect, representation and sense of belonging for employees and residents; and,
  • tracking progress through specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) key performance indicators.

Amanda Morrow stated there were several community diversity events for the Committee to attend, including the Indigenous History Celebration hosted by the Bawaajigewin Aboriginal Community Circle, and Town PRIDE month events.

5.
Delegations

 

There were no delegations.

6.
General Business and Reports

 

6.1
Upcoming Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Events

 

Lynn Collins provided an update regarding upcoming diversity, equity, and inclusion events. Ms. Collins requested that Members wanting to volunteer for Youth Pride Day, Durham Pride Parade, Indigenous Peoples Day Event, Whitby’s Home Sweet Home Festival, and National Indigenous Veterans’ Day should contact Erica Mittag.

6.2
Whitby Public Library Update

 

Shelby Moffatt provided an update regarding upcoming Whitby Public Library events which included the Paddle Woodburning Workshop, the Pysanka Eggs Workshop, and the String Art Rainbow Heart Crafting Session. Ms. Moffatt requested financial sponsorship in the amount of $300 for the Pysanka Eggs Workshop, $288 for the String Art Rainbow Heart Crafting Session, and $525 for the Paddle Woodburning Workshop.

  • Recommendation:

    Moved byVanessa Drekmann

    That $556.50 be drawn from the Whitby Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee’s 2025 annual budget to assist with the cost of the following events:

    1. Pysanka Eggs Workshop, in the amount of $185.50;
    2. String Art Rainbow Heart Crafting Session, in the amount of $185.50; and,
    3. Paddle Woodburning Workshop, in the amount of $185.50.
    Carried

7.
Council Update

 

Councillor Yamada, who recently returned from a leave of absence, informed the Committee that he currently has no updates from Council.

8.
Other Business

 

There was no other business.

9.
Next Meeting

 

Thursday, June 5, 2025 - 7:00 p.m.

10.
Adjournment

 

  • Recommendation:

    Moved byRobin Steed

    That the meeting adjourn.

    Carried

    The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.


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