Executive Committee - May 25, 2022 - Minutes

Meeting Date: 
May 25, 2022 - 5:30pm
Location: 
Online: https://ccsf.webex.com/ccsf/onstage/g.php?MTID=ea3d2560440591e17789633416590336e
Phone: 415-655-0001 / Access code: 2482 805 9884
San Francisco, CA 94102

Note: As authorized by California Government Code Section 54953(e) and the Mayor’s 45th Supplement to her February 25, 2020 emergency proclamation, this meeting will be held remotely without providing a physical location. Members of the Immigrant Rights Commission will participate and vote by video. Members of the public may observe the meeting and provide public comment online. View instructions for providing public comment.

1. Call to Order and Roll Call
Vice Chair Paz called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.
Present: Vice Chair Paz, Commissioner Souza.
Not present: Chair Kennelly (excused), Commissioners Khojasteh (excused), Ricarte (excused). OCEIA staff present: Acting Director Whipple, Commission Clerk Shore, Operations and Grants Manager Chan, Civic Engagement and Policy Officer Noonan.

2. Ramaytush Ohlone Land Acknowledgment
Vice Chair Paz read the land acknowledgment statement.

3. Public Comment
There was no public comment.

4. Action Item: Approval of previous minutes
(Information/Discussion/Action)
a. Approval of May 18, 2022 Executive Committee Meeting Minutes
This item was deferred due to lack of quorum.

5. Discussion/Action Items
(Information/Discussion/Action)
a. Immigrant Leadership Awards (Co-Chairs Fujii and Ricarte)
Acting Director Whipple provided an update on planning for the Immigrant Leadership Awards. The dress rehearsal is scheduled for June 6, 2022 and the awards event will take place June 13, 2022. Commissioners are encouraged to invite community members to the event. Commissioner Souza volunteered to follow up with an awardee who has not yet confirmed her participation.

b. Proposed Statement/Letter on Anti-Immigrant Attacks at Everett Middle School
Vice Chair Paz provided an update on Everett Middle School. Community members say the incident described by some media outlets as an attack was a fight between two Latino students. Community members are encouraging the public to be wary of misinformation. Commissioner Souza thanked Vice Chair Paz for the update and suggested reframing the letter. Vice Chair Paz and Commissioner Souza can work on it together.

c. Proposed Letter to City College of San Francisco
Acting Director Whipple noted that the Executive Committee had discussed expressing its support beyond Cantonese, but also for ESL and other language courses that serve immigrants. While Cantonese has been maintained, it seems to be at the expense of cutting other languages. OCEIA staff have reached out to the world languages department chair to ask for an update. Acting Director Whipple suggested that the Commission obtain more information before weighing in.

d. Follow-Up Actions on COVID-19 Recovery and Anti-AAPI/Anti-Immigrant Hate
Vice Chair Paz provided an update on Universal Basic Income pilot at the last Executive Committee meeting. He deferred the update on anti-AAPI and anti-immigrant hate until Commissioner Khojasteh is present.

6. Staff Reports
(Information/Discussion)
a. Director’s Updates
Acting Director Whipple provided an update on OCEIA’s meeting with the mayor of Merida, Mexico to discuss language access and the Mayan community in San Francisco. Vice Chair Paz participated in the meeting on behalf of the Commission, and Lydia Candila, executive director of Asociación Mayab, discussed the experience of Mayan immigrants in San Francisco.

7. Old Business
There was no old business.

8. New Business
There was no new business.

9. Adjournment
Vice Chair Paz adjourned the meeting at 5:50 p.m.