Lawrence Alliance Minutes

August 10, 2005
Submitted by Bruce Ney

Members Present:

Barbara Bonnekessen, Tiffany Hessler-Droge,  Ed Brunt, Bruce Ney, Hilda Enoch,  Deb Taylor

Members Absent:

Ralph Reed, Peter Luckey, Sara Taliaferro, Anne Burgess, Sarah Terwelp

Staff Present:

Debbie Van Saun

Guest Present:

Moussa Elbayoumy, Muslim community representative

The meeting was called to order by Alliance Chair Deb Taylor at 7:40 p.m. at a residence on Pamela Lane in Lawrence. 

Minutes of the June 22, 2005 meeting were read. Hilda Enoch made a motion to accept the minutes. Barbara Bonnekessen seconded the motion. The minutes were approved on a voice vote.

Hilda Enoch introduced Dr. Moussa Elbayoumy as her guest at the meeting to discuss any concerns the Muslim community in Lawrence may have.

Old Business

Members discussed potential meeting places for future meetings of the Alliance, including the Lawrence Public Library and the Community Building.  Debbie Van Saun offered to assist the Alliance in finding a regular meeting location.

Deb Taylor discussed the Alliance Web site and efforts to make the site a community resource.

Members continued the discussion begun at the June 22 meeting on the best way to reach out to the community through either a community forum or some other means. Members discussed how to approach such a forum. Debbie Van Saun suggested that other community groups be invited to the future Alliance meetings to participate in discussions with the Alliance on efforts and projects being undertaken by those groups. The board agreed to invite other community groups to the next (September) Alliance meeting. Deb Taylor agreed to identify organizations and contact leaders.

Members discussed ways to increase the Alliance’s visibility in Lawrence which would also bring more people to our community forum. Bruce Ney suggested that Deb Taylor talk to different groups about the Alliance. Debbie Van Saun noted that increasing the Alliance’s visibility would not be difficult because many resources are available, including Deb’s speaking at a City Commission meeting. Debbie said she could help us out in this area.

New Business

Moussa Elbayoumy spoke about the needs and concerns of Lawrence's Muslim community. He noted that while Lawrence is very generous and accepting of the Muslim community, undercurrents exist that remain under the tradition discrimination radar. For example, a Muslim high school student was harassed by fellow students because she was wearing traditional Muslim attire. The school’s principal did not feel that she was being discriminated against.

Moussa stated that we should try to identify undercurrents and then create venues for people to get to know each other; this will help us to combat discrimination more proactively. He feels we need to find ways to create cohesiveness.

Members discussed the need to have a “next step” after we hold our town hall meeting. Moussa suggested that we develop programs. He warned that people get tired when nothing happens.

Hilda Enoch raised the issue of moving the meeting night of the Alliance to another time. Members discussed the issue but no action was taken.

Hilda Enoch and Deb Taylor both raised the issue of scheduling regular meeting times. Again, members discussed the issue but no formal action was taken.

Adjournment

Hilda Enoch moved that the meeting be adjourned at approximately 9:30 p.m. Tiffany Hessler-Droge seconded the motion. The motion was approved on a voice vote.

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