Whitby Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee Minutes

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Hybrid Meeting
Whitby Town Hall
Present:
  • Lynn Collins, Chair
  • Vanessa Drekmann
  • Jamil Qamar
  • Robin Steed, Vice-Chair
Regrets:
  • Eva Guta
  • Angela Thomas
  • Anjali Thorve
Also Present:
  • Councillor Lundquist, Mayor's Designate
  • Kim Evans, Staff Liaison, Director, Recreation
  • 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 June 6, 2024 be approved.

    Carried

4.
Presentations

 

There were no presentations.

5.
Delegations

 

There were no delegations.

6.
General Business and Reports

 

6.1
Recap of Summer Events

 

Kim Evans provided an update regarding summer events which included the Disability Flag Raising, Pride Flag Raising, Ajax Pride Parade, Indigenous Peoples Day Event, Youth Pride Day, and Emancipation Day.

Discussion ensued regarding:

  • increased participation at the Ajax Pride Parade;
  • Pride Prom activities;
  • strategies to increase participation and attendance at diversity events; and,
  • involving a Youth Council Member in Committee events.

6.2
Upcoming Events and Days of Awareness

 

Kim Evans provided a list of upcoming events and Days of Awareness which included:

  • Harvest Festival, September 21, 2024;
  • New Resident Bus Tour, September 28, 2024;
  • National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, September 30, 2024; and,
  • Christmas in the Village, November 23, 2024.

Discussion ensued regarding:

  • the Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee and Whitby Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee booth at the Harvest Festival;
  • engaging activities for the Harvest Festival booth;
  • providing educational information on Indigenous hunting and fishing rights;
  • organizing sensory stations for kids at the Harvest Festival booth;
  • give aways at the Harvest Festival booth;
  • the Truth and Reconciliation Awareness Walk on September 20, 2024 beginning at the Region of Durham Headquarters;
  • a Women’s Brain Health Network presentation on November 21, 2024 at Ontario Shores; and,
  • Whitby FanCon on October 5, 2024 at the Whitby Public Library.

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. 

6.4
October Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee and Whitby Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee Agenda Discussion

 

Kim Evans advised that the next Committee meeting would be the Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee and Whitby Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee meeting on Thursday, October 3, 2024.

7.
Correspondence

 

There was no correspondence.

8.
Council Update

 

Councillor Lundquist provided an update regarding the September 16, 2024 Committee of the Whole meeting.

Discussion ensued regarding denouncing acts of hate within the community and the number of incidents over the last four months.

9.
Other Business

 

There was no other business.

10.
Next Meeting

 

Thursday, November 7, 2024 - 7:00 p.m.

11.
Adjournment

 

  • Recommendation:

    Moved byRobin Steed

    That the meeting adjourn.

    Carried

    The meeting adjourned at 8:56 p.m.

    Note: These minutes were approved by the Whitby Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee on November 7, 2024. 


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