The work of RRE continues in the small group “wings” of our organization: Education, Policy & Policing, and Reparations. We are not meeting as a large group this month and continue to stay in touch via email. If you have a topic to discuss in our large group setting, please let Patty Brushett know at brushett55@gmail.com. And thank you for your continued support!

Please join us at our RRE Large Group meeting this Wednesday, November 16, 2022 from 6:30-7:30 via Zoom, at which time we will be voting on the mission statement (Official Warning).

Our agenda:

Connie- Welcome and Land Acknowledgment

Patty-Shall we revise our Mission Statement? Vote/ mDo we need more time?

Current:” Engaging our community in opposing racism – and advancing equity for Indigenous, Black, and people of color – through education, policy change, and reparations.”

Possible revision suggestions from the last meeting: “Engaging our community in rejecting racism and fostering inclusion by advancing equity for Indigenous, Black, and People of Color – through education, policy change, and reparations.”

Patty-Who will represent your committee when questions come up that your committee is best able to respond to and who will be your committee’s social Media person to post what your group is up to?

Next Large Group meeting January 18th?

Committee reports-

Education

Emily- preliminary discussions of Richmond signage- Town Center and Entering Richmond

Jana- Preliminary exploration into Vermont Reads project- The Most Costly Journey and Anti Racism book sharing for Black history month in February.

Policy and Policing

Ann-P&P is meeting with the Town Manager and Interim Police Chief to work on the first step of the plan approved by the Selectboard Board to provide community oversight of and engagement with the police: improve data collection and share policing activities and outcomes. We have met several times and are currently working on updating the RPD website.

Reparations

Alexis-We are in conversation with Abenaki scholar, artist and teacherJudy Dow to set up a date for her presentation on Lank Acknowledgement to RRE. Would like to set up this date at Wednesday’s meeting.

Zoom link:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85099089981?pwd=elRrWjIvVGFDdDdwenNVS2xKM3dZQT09

Meeting ID: 850 9908 9981

Passcode: 130365

One tap mobile

+16469313860,,85099089981#,,,,*130365# US

+13017158592,,85099089981#,,,,*130365# US (Washington DC)

Increasing Racial Justice in Vermont Housing
Abundant Sun is working in partnership with Champlain Housing Trust, Downstreet Housing & Community Development, NeighborWorks America, RuralEdge, Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, Vermont Housing Finance Agency and Windham & Windsor Housing Trust to launch a yearlong Statewide initiative to examine how racial inequities impact Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Vermonters’ access to housing.

The content of this speaker and roundtable series takes a deep and creatively disruptive dive into systemic racism within Vermont housing. It examines how racial inequities in housing impact Vermonters. This work is a collective effort of community members and a consortium of housing organizations in Vermont. This group, the “Racial Justice Housing Jam” has generously provided their time and insights in designing this program.

Schedule: Thursdays, November 3, December 1, January 12, February 2. 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. To book a reservation, go to:

Vermont Racial Justice Housing Jam

Richmond Dems are sponsoring a local and statewide candidate meet and greet at the Richmond Library this Sunday 10/23 from 3:30-5PM. Come for conversation, cider, and donuts! Kids are welcome too. Sponsored by the Richmond Dems but all are welcome. Jana Brown will be there along with two of the senate candidates from our new senate district: Thomas Chittenden and Ginny Lyons. Kesha will not be present; she is traveling out of town. We will be joined by nearly all our statewide candidates: Sarah Copeland-Hanzas for Secretary of State, Charity Clark for Attorney General, Mike Pieciak for Treasurer, and Brenda Siegel for Governor. David Zuckerman is a possibility as well. It is really exciting to have all these statewide folks coming to Richmond and even if folks have already voted this is a great chance to meet our next statewide officer holders and ask questions and share thoughts on the issues. The meet and greet format is a great chance to meet these folks for one on one or small group conversations.

Reminder: the next RRE monthly meeting is this coming Wednesday, October 19 @ 6:00. It will be followed by a Planning Commission public hearing on amending regulations on Village Residential/Commercial District.

This RRE meeting will be a Zoom meeting; see link below.

Planned agenda:

1. Land Acknowledgement
2. Revisit mission statement – Alexis
   1. Engaging our community in opposing racism – and advancing equity for Indigenous, Black, and people of color – through education, policy change, and reparations
   2. Does this need to be revised? Warning: this will be a group vote
3. Finish with approval of process work – item 4 on the attached – Connie
   1. Includes discussion of requests to make public statements related to racial equity
   2. Warning: this will be a group vote
4. Managing social media – Gretchen
5. Confirm next meeting date

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87540474651?pwd=Ym5PL3lhdUZEeVVQb3R4M0prUFBldz09

Meeting ID: 875 4047 4651

Passcode: 372074

One tap mobile

+16469313860,,87540474651#,,,,*372074# US

+13017158592,,87540474651#,,,,*372074# US (Washington DC)

At September’s meeting, RRE Large Group agreed that it would meet monthly for the foreseeable future as it continues to work on organizational structure and process, as well as some current topics and projects. Based on a survey of frequent attendees, the best time to meet continues to be Wednesday evenings, 6:30 – 7:30, excluding first Wednesdays of the month. Everyone is welcome to attend.

On October 19, we will be starting a half hour earlier: 6:00 – 7:00 using the link below See you in 3 weeks…

Connie

Richmond Racial Equity is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: RRE Large Group Meeting for October

Time: Oct 19, 2022 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87540474651?pwd=Ym5PL3lhdUZEeVVQb3R4M0prUFBldz09

Meeting ID: 875 4047 4651

Passcode: 372074

One tap mobile

+16469313860,,87540474651#,,,,*372074# US

+13017158592,,87540474651#,,,,*372074# US (Washington DC)

Dial by your location

+1 646 931 3860 US

+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

+1 309 205 3325 US

+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

+1 386 347 5053 US

+1 564 217 2000 US

+1 669 444 9171 US

+1 719 359 4580 US

+1 720 707 2699 US (Denver)

Meeting ID: 875 4047 4651

Passcode: 372074

For both health and weather related considerations, we are moving the RRE Large Group Meeting for September to Zoom only.

It will still be this Wednesday, September 21 at 6:30, but from the comfort of your own home/office/car/space. Please click:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86525029299?pwd=am1IOUpzWDZkUlF6QVFFM0xwemRHdz09

Meeting ID: 865 2502 9299

Passcode: 105936

One tap mobile

+13092053325,,86525029299#,,,,*105936# US

+13126266799,,86525029299#,,,,*105936# US (Chicago)

Thank you for understanding. Someday we will meet in person again but not this month. Looking forward to seeing you soon, even if virtually. Connie

Reminder: the next RRE monthly meeting is Wednesday, September 21 @ 6:30

at Patty’s Barn

2899 Hinesburg Rd, Richmond

This is a well ventilated space with no heat, so please check the weather forecast and dress as warmly as needed. Your presence is not only welcome but the most important aspect of this meeting!

Planned agenda:

1. Land Acknowledgement – Ann
2. Organizational process: warning that we will be voting on approval of attached or the parts we like (see attached) and how often we will meet as a large group
3. Purpose: review of mission – Alexis
   1. “Engaging our community in opposing racism – and advancing equity for Indigenous, Black, and people of color – through education, policy change, and reparations.
4. Equity related issues/requests from our community – discussion – Connie
5. Social medial management – discussion – Gretchen
6. Confirm next meeting date

Thanks, once again, to Patty and Jeff for the use of their barn.

Please join us at our September Large Group Meeting :

Wednesday, September 21 @ 6:30 at Patty’s Barn

2899 Hinesburg Rd, Richmond

This is a chance to be together in a well ventilated space with no heat, so please check the weather forecast and dress as warmly as needed. The Education group is going to arrange for hot drinks. If you would like, please bring something sweet or savory to share – no obligation though. Your presence is the most important aspect of this meeting!

Planned agenda:

1. New sign
2. Take down flag
3. Revisit mission statement which I have as:
   1. “Establish and promote a more just culture based on racial equity through education, policy, and reparations.”
4. Approval of process work (from our last meeting)
5. Goals for coming year
6. Next meeting/meetings

Thanks to Patty and Jeff for allowing us to use their space at no charge, once again.