HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-01-24-2020-min (Demographic Change Subcommittee)Town of Lexington
Subcommittee on Demographic Change
Thursday, 24 January 2013 Meeting Minutes
(7:40 PM to 8:45 PM in Parker Room, Town Offices)
Participants: Nancy Corcoran- Ronchetti, Pat Costello, Margaret Heitz, Albert Huang, Bhumip
Khasnabish (meeting note taker), Dan Krupka (Chair), John Lee, Peter Lee
The meeting was called to order at 7:40 PM with Bhumip K. as meeting note taker.
The subcommittee approved the minutes of its meeting in December 2012.
Review of the Action Items
The following interviews have been completed: Susie Lee -Snell has interviewed John Lee and Albert
Huang has interviewed Bhumip Khasnabish. Remaining interview in the first round: John Lee to
interview Albert Huang and Peter Lee to interview Nirmala Garimella
Discussion of the interview process
Dan suggests that we discuss the interview process regularly, and capture what worked, what does not
work, and what should be changed.
Peter mentioned that some of the interview questions are too probing, and may need to tone down a
little bit, and we may need to work on it.
Bhumip suggested focusing on the important parts during interviews in order to properly utilize the
time.
Albert said that time and discussion should be focus on the most important matters during the
interview although demography is in the mind of the interviewer. Bhumip suggested that separate
pages should be used for discussion with different focus in order to keep the interview streamlined.
John reported that it felt a little bit uncomfortable when interviewer knows the interviewee too well.
Dan asked Nancy, Pat, Margaret, and Peter if they have any suggestions to overcome this.
• Pat suggests that the interviewer gets written response before the mtg. so that the face -to -face
time can be used for clarification and follow -up discussion.
• Margaret suggests that a scribe should be used to take notes during interviews so that the
interviewer can focus on maintain the comfort level of the interviewee.
• Peter suggests that the interviewee should be made comfortable first before asking the
probing questions of the interview. May be a standard introductory discussion should be
included in the interview session.
• Nancy suggest a short preamble discussion to make the interviewee comfortable to the
discussion
Dan has created a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet to record the results of the interviews objectively. To
enable the subcommittee members to review and analyze the responses, while preserving
confidentiality, interviewees are identified by a number on the spreadsheet. The key is maintained in
Subcomittee On Demographic Change Minutes January 24 2013, 2013 1 3/22/13 1 Page 1 of 3
Town of Lexington
Subcommittee on Demographic Change (DCTF)
Thursday, 24 January 2013 Meeting Minutes
(7:40 PM to 8:45 PM in Parker Room, Town Offices)
a separate. Nancy, Pat, and Margaret suggested that even demographic information should be
protected in the spreadsheet. Dan agreed to make the adjustment.
Interviews of PTA and PTO members
After interviewing Asians who serve on Town boards and committees we plan to interview PTA /PTO
members who are of Asian descent. The questions in our interview guide may need to be modified for
this group because the motivations for getting involved on PTAs and PTOs may differ from those that
lead people to become involved in Town affairs. Peter observed that the transition from PTA activities
to Town affairs is sometime difficult and we may need to address this.
Other potential interviewees
Pat volunteers as a tax preparer in the Senior Center, where there are a few volunteers of Asian
background. She suggests that interview them as well.
Speakers at future meetings
We have outstanding invitations to Charlotte Rogers (Town's Dir. of Human Services) and Karen
Simmons (Town's Dir. of Recreation); both have accepted. Dan suggests that we invite Hua Wang, who
is leading a CAAL committee with the objective of increasing the participation of Chinese in Town
affairs. Hua participated in our September meeting as a substitute for Albert and Peter.
Lessons from other communities with large Asian populations
With the exception of the response of the town manager of Westborough, no other mayor or
manager has responded to Carl Valente's request to link the Subcommittee to groups with similar
objectives.
Albert will contact the officials in Newton for interviews, but because of a pending lawsuit the
interviews may be delayed. Dan asks for Plan -B from Albert. Albert is in favor of putting this on hold
for now. Pat mentioned that another way to obtain the insights we are seeking is via diversity
committees in these Towns; she agreed to investigate.
Dan distributed an announcement Pat sent to him about celebration of diversity in the neighboring
Town of Winchester, MA. It will be celebrating Winchester in Transition (WIT 2013,
http: / /gettowit.org / ) on Saturday 9- Feb'13 in the in Winchester Town Hall Auditorium.
New Action Items
• Dan will contact Margaret Coppe of the School Committee regarding the process for identifying
PTA /PTO leaders that the Subcommittee could interview.
• Peter and Albert identify which Chinese members of the Town's boards and committees they
will each interview. They volunteered to complete this round of interviews by the end of
February.
Subcomittee On Demographic Change Minutes January 24 2013 3/22/13 Page 2 of 3
Town of Lexington
Subcommittee on Demographic Change (DCTF)
Thursday, 24 January 2013 Meeting Minutes
(7:40 PM to 8:45 PM in Parker Room, Town Offices)
• Dan is will invite Charlotte Rogers (Town's Dir. of Human Services) to the February meeting and
Karen Simmons (Town's Dir. of Recreation) to the March meeting.
• Albert and Peter will sound out Hua Wang about speaking to the Subcommittee regarding the
work of his CAAL committee, which is attempting to increase the participation of Chinese
residents in Town affairs.
• Pat will indentify a few Asian volunteers in Senior Center for interviews.
• Pat will investigate alternative ways of learning what steps other communities (on our list) are
taking to increase the participation in community affairs.
• Dan will contact Peter Enrich regarding the process for submitting the Subcommittee's work to
the Massachusetts Municipal Association's awards for innovation.
• Bhumip will work with IAL Executive Committee members to identify volunteers for interviews.
• Dan will send Confidentiality letter and other information to those who have agreed to be
interviewed by Subcommittee members
The meeting was adjourned formally at 8:45 PM.
Next meeting: 7:30 PM, Thursday, 28 Feb. 2013 in Ellen Stone Rm., Cary Hall
Meeting minutes are submitted by Bhumip Khasnabish.
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