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Human Rights Commission Minutes May 20, 2015 — Draft Minutes Page 7 of 10 269 Commissioner Singleton stated based on previous discussions the problem seemed to be the 270 timeline. He clarified his understanding had been if the State were willing to make adjustments 271 in the timing of the contest it would alleviate a 1ot of the problem. 272 273 Chair Groff stated is was not just the timeline that had been a concern. He stated the goal was to 274 brainstorm and put together recommendations and suggestions to be presented at the State level 275 since the State oversees the Essay Contest. 276 277 Commissioner Singleton state Councilmember McGehee had eXpressed that expository writing 278 should be what is maintained at the State level and if the City wanted to sponsor its own contest 279 then that could be open to other forms of expression. He supports this recommendation. He 280 does see that there is a need for a change in the timeline and he would recommend a focus more 28l on the Minnesota Declaration of Human Rights. 282 283 Commissioner Christiansen stated she would like to see the Essay Contest remain as a writing 284 contest because this is a critical component for people to know. Adding other forms of 285 expression would dilute the importance of writing and being able to express one's self through 286 writing. 287 288 Commissioner Bachhuber stated she understood the goal was to get as many Roseville kids 289 thinking about human rights as possible and this is why she suggested opening the contest to 290 other forms of expression. 291 292 Commissioner Thao stated Shoreview has a great Human Rights contest and they could meet 293 with the Shoreview Commission to discuss their program. 294 295 Ms. Collins stated the City has to have the question for the essay to the teachers prior to the 296 beginning of the school session. She stated if the City is going to continue to participate in the 297 current program then they would need to discuss the actual essay question. 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 Commissioner Singleton suggested the Commission make a recommendation on the timeline to the State at this time and over the next year work on the possibility of an art or creative contest. Commissioner Christiansen asked if the timeline could be changed for the fall contest and if it would be possible to make the references easier for the students to work with as well. 305 Commissioner Bachhuber stated the difficult part is coming up with the question or topic. She 306 suggested an essay on voter's rights since there would be an election in 2016. She stated she 307 would be willing to meet with Commissioner Thao, Commissioner Christiansen and Youth 308 Commissioner Cederberg to work on questions and topics for the Essay Contest this year. 309 310 It was the consensus of the Commission to have a Committee, formed by Commission 311 Bachhuber, Commission Thao, Commissioner Christiansen, and Youth Commissioner 312 Cederberg, to recommend questions and/or topics for the Essay Contest during the June 313 Commission meeting.