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Roseville Human Rights Commission Meeting Minutes – August 11, 2009 Page 5 of 6 initiatives provided by the Roseville HRC across the state over the past 20 years; benefits for the City and students in the Essay Contes t and other HRC leadership activities in the community; availability of many documents on the League’s website that were from Roseville; and the need for more HRCs to participate in the Essay Contest. Further discussion included Roseville’s histor ical perspective in getting schools involved (i.e., curriculum development and coordination with School Superintendents and the Roseville HRC); grade levels (6 th – 8 th graders) for the Contest and involvement of Parkview and Roseville Middle School teachers a nd students; and Rose ville’s history of students excelling at the state level with the Essay Contest. Ms. Curti suggested that a response to th e Education Committee include the timeline developed for review, ranking and pr ocessing the essays each year. Member Grefenberg suggested a 2010 Essay Cont est topic be a challenge to students to create or provide a “2010 Bill of Rights,” to encourage the youth perspective. Member McKenzie agreed that was an excelle nt topic, allowing students to familiarize themselves with relevant human rights doc uments during research of the topic. Chair Singleton requested that Member Grefenberg provide additional information to members and Ms. Curti. Member Grefenberg clarified his suggest ed 2010 Essay Contest topic: “What do you think should be the Bill of Rights if it was being written in 2010? Read the existing Bill of Rights and advise what’s missing or rewrite it in your own language.” Members discussed time constraints for teachers due to “No Child Left Behind” mandates; and explanation of the Essay C ontest review and ranking process for new commissioners, allowing HRC ownership of the Contest rather than staff. VI. Other Member Grefenberg thanked Ms. Curti fo r providing information on the book “Bowling Alone,” and recommended that everyone at tend the upcoming presentation by George Latimer at the Fairview Community Center. Ci ty of Cottage Grove posters were given to members for additional distribution. Member Kennedy said she had met with Officer Rick Wahtera to coordinate training on the Karen culture. Kennedy noted that they came from the Burmese military regime and their perception of police had not allowed any trust or positive intera ction with police. Kennedy noted that issues, including code enforcement concerns, were evident in lifestyles in the community, and that she woul d coordinate training between her staff and the police department to crea te a positive relationship. Me mber Kennedy noted that the department was open to the training and opening a dialogue with the Karen community.