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forward their town business to. Right now it is not working, but they are hoping to get it straightened <br /> out. Mark asked Joe if it is legal to go to each committee's chair who do not respond to their email, <br /> and get their personal email address to forward committee emails to.The next recommendation <br /> Mark reviewed was to implement actions to increase enrollment on electronic communications <br /> platforms. Sean has been doing this by asking people to sign up for newsletters when he puts <br /> information out. However,there is no specific campaign to increase enrollment. Mark commented <br /> that an RFP is being prepared for that, and Mark has been stressing the importance of a search <br /> function.The fifth goal is to create a shared communication structure for town and school <br /> communications. Mark noted that the sixth goal is to identify and incorporate non-internet centered <br /> communication platforms for residents who choose not to use social media or listservs,which Sean is <br /> doing the best he can, so there is not much to do there. Mark added that one of the very few <br /> interactions residents have with the town is when they call up to report a pothole or street light out. <br /> Residents don't know where the recorded messages goes or if anything is going to happen. Mark <br /> commented that if we had to pick one thing that this committee should advocate for it is a <br /> communications plan. Dan added that what should concern us is that we really don't know what <br /> Sean's responsibilities are; and until those are clarified,we should put this work on hold. Fernando <br /> asked Candy for input. Candy noted that she doesn't think the issue is with staffing but a lack of <br /> coordination. Candy continued that that committee email issue is a tough one, and she has been a <br /> part of attempts to handle it. Fernando agreed that this a hidden problem, and we need more <br /> vertical and horizontal coordination. Samita commented that it may be helpful to add the heading <br /> "please read and respond," sometimes that works when you get so many emails in your inbox. Mark <br /> commented that it was a combined invitation to the Futures Panel. Mark continued that the smaller <br /> committees don't even know they have an email. <br /> Subcommittee on Asian Communities <br /> Dan spoke on this topic. In 2015, this committee had a meeting regarding the recommendations <br /> made by the subcommittee on demographics. Dan added that recently a new body was created by <br /> the town manager called the Citizen Advisory Council. Dan commented that he felt the best way to <br /> move this issue forward was to write a letter to inform the Select Board and the School Committee <br /> that we now have two diversity groups formed addressing the same issue. Dan's draft letter <br /> highlighted that we should not lose sight of what the subcommittee recommended in light of the <br /> growing Asian population. Mark shared the letter on the Zoom screen.Joe commented that the <br /> Diversity Advisory Task Force has been dismantled, although not formally and without informing the <br /> members.Joe added that he thinks this letter is appropriate because it reflects what the public's <br /> understanding of what it is going on. Dan commented that we must not lose sight of the large Asian <br /> population in town. Fernando said he disagrees. Fernando asked Kathleen if the task force was <br /> helpful to the current School Superintendent. Kathleen responded no, because part of the issue was <br /> it was set up by Carl Valente and Mary Czajkowski and then they both left.Jim and Julie inherited it. <br /> Kathleen added that naming things is also very important. People interpret diversity in a wide variety <br /> of ways, so the name Diversity Advisory Task Force is ambiguous. Kathleen agreed that it would be <br /> worth reconstituting it with a different name. Mark commented that from what he sees,the focus <br /> has been on racial equity to that exclusion of other groups in town. Dan added that this is an <br /> important issue and no one has been working on it. Fernando asked Samita for input given her <br /> involvement in cultural groups and one that identifies as Asian. Samita commented that she doesn't <br /> think people are not aware of the opportunities and the ways to get involved in Town.Jyotsna <br /> commented that she feels that the IAL community is no longer ignored and feels there is good <br /> 3 <br />