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Human Rights Commission Minutes May 20, 2015 Page 7 of 10 Commissioner Singleton stated based on previous discussions the problem seemed to be the timeline. He clarified his understanding had been if the State were willing to make adjustments in the timing of the contest it would alleviate a 1ot of the problem. Chair Groff stated is was not just the timeline that had been a concern. He stated the goal was to brainstorm and put together recommendations and suggestions to be presented at the State level since the State oversees the Essay Contest. Commissioner Singleton state Councilmember McGehee had eXpressed that expository writing should be what is maintained at the State level and if the City wanted to sponsor its own contest then that could be open to other forms of expression. He supports this recommendation. He does see that there is a need for a change in the timeline and he would recommend a focus more on the Minnesota Declaration of Human Rights. Commissioner Christiansen stated she would like to see the Essay Contest remain as a writing contest because this is a critical component for people to know. Adding other forms of expression would dilute the importance of writing and being able to express one's self through writing. Commissioner Bachhuber stated she understood the goal was to get as many Roseville kids thinking about human rights as possible and this is why she suggested opening the contest to other forms of expression. Commissioner Thao stated Shoreview has a great Human Rights contest and they could meet with the Shoreview Commission to discuss their program. Ms. Collins stated the City has to have the question for the essay to the teachers prior to the beginning of the school session. She stated if the City is going to continue to participate in the current program then they would need to discuss the actual essay question. 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. Commissioner Bachhuber stated the difficult part is coming up with the question or topic. She suggested an essay on voter's rights since there would be an election in 2016. She stated she would be willing to meet with Commissioner Thao, Commissioner Christiansen and Youth Commissioner Cederberg to work on questions and topics for the Essay Contest this year. It was the consensus of the Commission to have a Committee, formed by Commission Bachhuber, Commission Thao, Commissioner Christiansen, and Youth Commissioner Cederberg, to recommend questions and/or topics for the Essay Contest during the June Commission meeting.