HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006 08-16 SECM
BROOKLYN CENTER SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2006, 4:00 PM
MEETING MINUTES
Phil Cohen called the Brooklyn Center Special Events Committee meeting to order at 4:10 p.m.
ATTENDANCE
Baylon Loosbrock, Treasurer; Phil Cohen, President; Tom Shinnick, Lions Club; Councilmember Kay
Lasman; Len Lasman, Scroll; Tony Kuefler, Taxpayers Association; Dorothy Jacobson, Women’s
Club; Margaret Sandberg, Decorations; Linda Hanka; Dr. Duane Orn; Sue Low, Business
Community; Sue LaCrosse, recreation staff liaison.
DR. ORN’S LETTER & REPORT
Dr. Orn said there were two main pieces to his letter. He felt the giving out of the gifts dragged on
too much, but has second thoughts on it. He said the people enjoy getting something, so we should
go ahead and continue with that.
His second piece concerned getting minorities involved in whatever capacity we can. There is a new
Catholic priest at St. Al’s. He would especially like to get the young minorities in the community
involved. Dorothy Jacobson said there are a lot of minorities at Cross of Glory too. Dr. Duane Orn
suggested giving them some responsibility, such as ticket takers or something. He wants to see this
event and others continued on.
The theme for the 2007 event is the “Changing Face of Brooklyn Center.” Councilmember Kay
Lasman said we have tried to engage minorities as attendees, but not as working with the committee.
She added that St. Al’s has a Spanish mass. The priest organized participation in three parades this
summer, including Earle Brown Days. This was to help show that the church is of many nations.
Dr. Orn said they need to have some ownership of the community and this event showcases the values
of Brooklyn Center. It is a nice event.
Margaret Sandberg shared her experience with a fashion show of bridal gowns that she organized.
She said she got many girls of different nationalities model the gowns. One of the purposes behind
this was it might encourage family and friends to purchase tickets.
Phil Cohen said the committee was founded on asking people to be on this committee as a
representative of their organization and each one on the committee does something. For example,
Dan Vang was invited to be on the committee and to nominate someone in the Hmong community for
the award. He purchased a table of tickets. He suggested zeroing in on one minority leader that has
the time to be on this committee with the purpose of getting people of their culture involved. We
can’t hit every minority.
Len Lasman suggested we invite a minority group to perform as part of the entertainment and instead
of paying them, give complimentary dinners.
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Sue LaCrosse suggested inviting Monique Drier, Cultural Liaison of the police department to come to
our next meeting to give us some guidance. She works with a number of minority groups in the
community. Councilmember Kay Lasman added that she works closely with the cultural liaison of
Brooklyn Park too. There was a motion by Tony Kuefler, seconded by Len Lasman to invite
Monique Drier to the next Special Events Committee meeting. Motion carried.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Phil Cohen said the key to building attendance is for nominees to bring their friends and family. The
entertainment is a small thing time wise. The biggest consumption of time is the awards.
NEXT MEETING
Next meeting is Thursday, September 21, 2006, 4:15 p.m. in Room 221 at the community center.
ADJOURNMENT
There was a motion by Tony Kuefler, seconded by Tom Shinnick to adjourn the meeting. The
meeting was adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sue LaCrosse
Program Supervisor
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