05/01/2003COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD
CITY OF CLEARWATER
May 1, 2003
Present: Johnny Long Chair
Melissa Horwitz Board Member
Pat Harney Board Member
Absent: Capt. John Slack Non-voting Member
Candace Gardner Vice-Chair
E.J. Robinson Board Member
Also Present: Eleanor Breland Equity Services Director
Kathy Baird Senior Staff Assistant
Roy Kaplan National Conference for Community and
Justice
To provide continuity for research, items are listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM 1 – Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:50 P.M.
ITEM 2 – Roll Call and Approval of Minutes from 3-12-03 Meeting
Members introduced themselves. Member Harney moved to approve the minutes of the March 12, 2003 meeting. Member Horwitz seconded the Motion, which carried unanimously.
ITEM 3 – Presentation by Roy Kaplan of National Conference For Community And Justice
Dr. Kaplan initiated a discussion of potential strategies for initiating and conducting the study circle program. He discussed the possibility of linking with other organizations, such
as the League of Women Voters. He also suggested inviting a spokesperson from the FBI Anti-Terrorism Unit and/or FDLE to speak briefly at the beginning of the study circle meeting series.
This would be a way to attract more people to the meeting. He also suggested that the members select a discussion topic. The members’ discussions of these ideas are noted in Item
5 of these minutes.
ITEM 4 – Planning for Board Member Study Circle Facilitator Training
The members agreed that a 2-hour facilitator training session will be held just prior to the first study circle meeting.
ITEM 5 – Planning for Implementation of Study Circle Program
Contacts: Johnny Long suggested that members make personal contacts in order to get commitments for participation in the study circles. Eleanor Breland suggested using mailing lists,
such as the Homeowner’s Association mailing list.
Attracting Participants: The members unanimously agreed to adopt Dr. Kaplan’s idea of inviting a spokesperson from the FBI Counter-Terrorism Unit and/or its FDLE counterpart to speak
at the opening study circle meeting.
Topic: The members unanimously agreed that the topic for the discussions will be “America After 9-11.”
Purpose of the Meetings: Member Harney asked if getting people to talk to one another is the purpose of a study circle meeting. Dr. Kaplan explained that the purpose is different for
each group. It may be discussion for some groups, while other groups may be more action-oriented. Such a group might decide to write a paper to advocate a position or get involved
in volunteer activities such as home repairs, etc.
Program Structure: The members unanimously agreed that the study circle meetings should be scheduled weekly for 4-6 weeks.
ITEM 6 – New Business
The members agreed to schedule their next meeting for Tuesday May 20, 2003 at 5:30 p.m. and to set the schedule for the first study circle series. Members also agreed to forward their
ideas for study circle questions or sub-topics to Dr. Kaplan by Friday May 9, 2003.
ITEM 7 - Adjournment
Member Horwitz moved to adjourn. Member Long seconded the motion and the meeting was adjourned at 6:55 P.M.