Volume 3, Number 3 211 E. Maple St., Des Moines, Iowa 50309-1858 July/August 1998

Purpose of Team Diversity Newsletter: To recognize the work of community diversity appreciation teams in Iowa and to share information about teams and diversity-related ideas and resources.

Perry Diversity Appreciation Team

June 25, 1998

Present: Marcia Fink, Ron Bronemann, Jim Pemble, JoAnn Mackey, Michele Johnson, Roma Maycock, David Ochoa, Dora Siems, Denny Glick, Judy Arellano, Alberto E. Glez, Nini Nachiengame, John Greene, Alberto Olguin.

Discussion Items: Meeting began at 5:15 pm. Dora Siems presented her program and video "Diversity in the Workplace" and facilitated discussion.

JoAnn gave reason why Silvia Tejerina could not attend today’s meeting. Silvia will be able to come to the meeting in August to facilitate. JoAnn also stressed the importance of staying with the agenda because there are people needing to go to other meetings, she then asked for introductions and reasons why people were at the meeting.

Ron Bronemann, Pastor at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church, gave an explanation and purpose of the New Immigrant Ministry Coordinating Committee.

JoAnn Mackey, Diversity Outreach Coordinator with Domestic Abuse Services, reported on the purpose of the Perry Community Response Team.

John Greene reported on the World Cup Committee and its progress. Marcia reported on the cost of renting a big screen TV, $160.00. Denny Glick, Hy-Vee, is willing to donate $50.00 towards the cost and Alberto Olguin, IBP, is willing to donate $100.00 for the cost of the TV.

Discussion followed of where to hold the World Cup event. Suggestions of using the Elks Lodge were made. John will contact the Elks Lodge and give report at a later date. A potluck was also suggested.

Judy Arellano announced that United Way is becoming more involved in Dallas County. United Way is going to present $10,000.00 to Dallas County on July 29th, 1998 at 11:00 am in the Fireside Room. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

Announcement made that there will be no July meeting, the next scheduled meeting will be August 6, 1998 at 5:00 pm. All were encouraged to bring a friend. Meeting adjourned at 6:30 pm.

Minutes prepared by Michele Johnson

Tama County Team for Intercultural Community

June 25, 1998

Facilitator was Mary Sillman. Meeting began at 7:00 pm at the Iowa Juvenile Home, ICN Room 105.

Present: Javier Anzaldua, Gladys Benson, Esther Bethel, Nancy Dostol, Judith Edwards, Cathy Franzenburg, Clarence Lippert, Mario Ramires, Andrew Roberts, Blanca Sanchez, Ivy Sievers, Mary Sillman, Don Wanatee, Dwayne Wood, Hilda YoungBear, Jerry YoungBear.

1. Discussion of current issues: Jerry YoungBear suggested possible bicycle trail on top of the river levy in Tama. Jerry will contact the DNR for the possibility of such a trail. Javier Anzaldua suggested supporting the Wieting Theater so that they might be able to open more days of the week. It was mentioned of possible expansion at the park south of the IE Property in Tama for youth activities. Nacy and Ivy will investigate possibility of a coordinated calendar of events for the Tama and Toledo area. Clarence Lippert will obtain information on a new committee being formed that will coordinate youth and children activities. Blanca Sanchez and Javier Anzaldua will check with MICA for the availability of youth program activities. Mario and Blanca will investigate the possibility of Mexican Independence Day activities which is September 16, 1998.
2. Study Circles: Members that were not at the first meeting were updated and a list was passed among the group to see who might be interested in being a facilitator.
3. Alternatives For Public Outside Gathering Of Youth And Adults: Will be discussed at next meeting.
4. Youth Soccer: Mario mentioned Hispanic children not involved due to not having transportation. This will be discussed at next meeting.
5. Cultural Inservice For Newly Arrived Professionals: Will be discussed at next meeting.
6. Bilingual Traffic Tickets: John Carr is obtaining this information.
7. Next Meeting: Thursday, July 23, 1998 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at Tama Civic Center. Facilitator: Gladys Benson.

Respectfully submitted by Dwayne Wood, Recorder

Council Bluffs Community Responds

What follows is part of a letter sent by David Meeks, chair of ICRC’s Team Diversity Committee, to Dr. Jerome Bleicher, B’Nai Israel Synagogue:

"The news of the recent burglary and vandalism at the B’Nai Israel Synagogue has caused great concern among members of our staff and the people of Iowa. We strongly condemn this act . . . We applaud the efforts of the Council Bluffs Human Relations Commission, the MLK, Jr. Committee, and the Council Bluffs Police Department in mobilizing a strong community-wide response.

"Acts of this nature in Council Bluffs or any other community in Iowa emphasize the need for strong active coalitions that can respond appropriately to acts of bigotry and send a message to the perpetrators that hate crimes or expressions of prejudice are totally unacceptable in this State.

"We express our concern and sorrow that the members of your congregation had to endure this hateful act."

Ames Diversity Appreciation Team

Sheila Lundt (515-239-5101)

Cedar Rapids Diversity Appreciation Team

Louise Lorenz (319-398-5036)

Cedar Valley Diversity Appreciation Team

Walter Reed (319-291-4441)

Charles City International Fellowship

Jim Sanner (515-228-6085)

Denison Cultural Diversity Committee

Marsha Kracht (712-263-8733) or

Coletta Weeda (712-263-4697)

Diverse-Cities Team (Iowa City/Coralville)

Heather Shank (319-356-5022)

Estherville Diversity Appreciation Team

Glenn Bohmer (712-362-3237)

Hampton Diversity Committee

Pat Sackville (515-456-5668)

Humboldt Co. Diversity Appreciation Team

Joe Hadar (515-332-5312)

Marshalltown Diversity Committee

Sandy Burke (515-294-9307)

MLK, Jr. Committee (Council Bluffs)

Jon and Judy Malloy (712-328-9093)

North Iowa Diversity Appreciation Team

Lois Fingalsen (515-421-4600)

Perry Diversity Appreciation Team

Pastor Ron Bronemann (515-465-5298)

Polk Co. Diversity Coalition

San Wong (515-248-7209)

Quad Cities’ Roundtables/Anti-Hate

Response Team/Diversity Committee

Brenda Drew-Peeples (319-326-0717)

Racism/Race Relations Committee

Connie Barrett (712-274-8678)

Siouxland Diversity Coalition

Matt Boley (712-258-5137)

Storm Lake Diversity Task Force

Dale Carver (712-732-6767)

Tama Co. Team for Intercultural Community

Clarence Lippert (515-484-4811)

Webster Co. Diversity Appreciation Team

Ed O’Leary (515-576-2201)