San Francisco Immigrant Rights Commission
Executive Committee Meeting

 

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

Chair Kennelly called the meeting to order at 5:47 pm.

Present: Chair Kennelly, Commissioner Khojasteh

Not present: Vice Chair Paz

Staff present: Director Pon, Deputy Director Fernandez Sykes and Commission Clerk Shore

 

2. Public Comment

There was no public comment.

 

3. Action Item: Approval of previous minutes

a. Approval of March 19, 2018 Executive Committee Meeting Minutes

b. Approval of March 19, 2018 Safety Net Committee Meeting Minutes

c. Approval of March 19, 2018 Immigration Policy Committee Meeting Minutes

Commissioner Khojasteh motioned to adopt the Executive Committee, Safety Net Committee and Immigration Policy Committee minutes from March 19, 2018. Chair Kennelly seconded the motion. The minutes were adopted unanimously.

 

4. Old Business
(Information/Discussion)

a.   Director/Staff Report

Director Pon provided an update on two statements that staff had prepared and released on behalf of the Immigrant Rights Commission on the SCOTUS oral arguments on the Muslim travel ban and the latest DACA ruling.

Deputy Director Fernandez Sykes shared an update on two new staff members who have joined the office’s language access unit. The office is organizing a Language Access Ordinance training for City departments on May 23, 2018 and Commissioners are welcome to attend.

Director Pon noted that OCEIA had released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for various immigrant assistance grant programs, and would release additional RFPs for language services and the 2020 Census. Director Pon provided an update on planning for the 2020 Census and the Complete Count Committee.

Chair Kennelly followed up on the Commission’s request for a fellow. Director Pon stated that she had discussed the matter with the fellowship director and due to the skill level needed and the host site supervisory requirements, the Commission’s needs are better met by existing regularly assigned staff. She suggested that the Commission update its strategic plan. Chair Kennelly requested that once updated, the strategic plan and action plans developed at the retreat be included in the Executive Committee’s folders.

Chair Kennelly asked staff to poll Commissioners on their summer schedules. Commission Clerk Shore will send the poll.

Chair Kennelly discussed possible dates for the Consulate Immigration Roundtable. The Immigrant Leadership Awards is scheduled for June 2018. Chair Kennelly suggested holding the roundtable in late May. However, this is an extremely busy period for OCEIA and staff members are already fully loaded. Director Pon will look into the possibility of late May and follow up with the Chair.

b.   District 11 Neighborhood Commission Meeting Follow-Up

Chair Kennelly stated that the District 11 hearing was a very successful meeting with a great turnout. She plans to thank Supervisor Safai’s office for partnering with the Commission on the event.

Commissioner Khojasteh asked about the possibility of inviting community members to ad-hoc committee meetings. Director Pon recommended that Commissioners use Full Commission meetings to hear from community members, and reach out to experts and community members when there are specific issues they want to learn more about. Chair Kennelly stated that she would follow up with Commissioner Rahimi.

Director Pon suggested that the Commission hold more frequent neighborhood meetings to be in direct touch with residents and increase community participation. Chair Kennelly suggested hosting a September 2018 neighborhood meeting in District 4. Director Pon noted that the turnout was very low at the last District 4 neighborhood meeting and suggested focusing on a topic of interest to residents. Chair Kennelly stated that she would reach out to Supervisor Tang. Director Pon suggested the Irish Cultural Center as a possible venue.

c.   Update on Alba Guerra, 2017 Entrepreneur Awardee

Director Pon provided an update on 2017 Immigrant Leadership Awardee Alba Guerra, who may be forced to move or close her business due to a rent increase. Deputy Director Whipple had requested that the Commission send a letter of support. Chair Kennelly stated that she would ask Vice Chair Paz for an update.

d.   Annual Awards Event Planning – June 11, 2018

Director Pon provided an update on awards nominations and the Executive Committee discussed potential honorees for the Entrepreneur, Non-profit and Youth Leadership categories, as well as creating a new media award. Director Pon recommended obtaining feedback from the Awards Committee. Chair Kennelly will ask Commission Fujii to organize beverage donations for the event.

 

5. New Business
(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Holocaust Remembrance Day - April 12, 2018 (Commissioner Gurvits)

Commissioner Gurvits (not in attendance) submitted a written request to the Executive Committee to recognize the Holocaust and the Armenian Genocide. Chair Kennelly asked for information about other genocides that could be recognized and recommended further research and discussion. Director Pon assigned Deputy Director Fernandez Sykes to research the matter. Chair Kennelly proposed to continue the conversation in greater detail at the next Executive Committee meeting.

 

6. Adjournment

Chair Kennelly adjourned the meeting at 7:12 pm.