[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6268687,"mediaKeyId","3051324-d08b063d8cf51cde03cb11e00f242e82","parentId",3051324,"title","Needham Human Rights Committee approves March meeting minutes","audioSeconds",45,"startMs",270000,"endMs",315000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3051324-d08b063d8cf51cde03cb11e00f242e82&start=270&end=315","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3051324-d08b063d8cf51cde03cb11e00f242e82/thumbnail_270000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6268687/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-Human-Rights-Committee-approves-March-meeting-minutes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268687-0fad80cc2d58624435622b5718c45ce6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141400&Signature=T8T7Uup~JSaomuw-sdyv1yWTL9D7n4lmv8NFxI4lDKvQZqTrOZZF3062hDrPsqcSFOqsNEnxzOV94DJwh3rkkPF1dvFiG7i8cLY1IaUFXoPTg~RRvUSP~HNubdAU6uY938igg8qOo~C-pI2OJTVl33myUL3zrhbSCA-BIk-CEeB7bH8adoYikNs23L4q7opWbOWjilN1bAj--7TGOE8B7zyZjO057zZXdPk-462thfRFyKMt8VOgou2~9qkYlNncQEQ8RXhcBsyoEEosot8iMnlrhn0HgUYS09nS2~90FYMzD4h18g1mYrjIAI0qC8J4OEo79hyVYpX-W8fF0Et-5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Needham, MA","date","2025-04-18T15:25:17.277Z","article","The Needham Human Rights Committee voted to approve the minutes of its March meeting.

A committee member moved to approve the minutes; members voted in favor and the chair declared the minutes approved. The transcript does not record the mover’s name, the seconder’s name, or a roll-call tally.

No additional action was recorded in connection with the minutes approval.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Human Rights Committee 04/17/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Needham Human Rights Committee voted to approve the minutes of its March meeting; no roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript.","taxTitle","Town of Needham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts","taxId",54445,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6268691,"Committee to add QR code and phone contact to discrimination-complaint form; latest draft circulated",0,3338000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3051324-d08b063d8cf51cde03cb11e00f242e82&start=3338&end=3338","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3051324-d08b063d8cf51cde03cb11e00f242e82/thumbnail_3338000.jpg","/articles/6268691/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Committee-to-add-QR-code-and-phone-contact-to-discrimination-complaint-form-latest-draft-circulated","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268691-b2377a0dfe50cede574d5eebb990fa9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141400&Signature=nKgPJJUkdU5YXhXTheOka2N23D5F5c9fQL3WVfvvi9E4IYZGt2Akqd6iB5IvJOxy~hWX3hQm~SA~bpC8u8DmvFY7mWm2zcTy19Qhr2vM4x1bJdvi0oVXiPKS~a4Uw8lEQ7wP5HdMrqBdvXbFznKIVQP6fZ9brWrIls1U5h9Rpg6gKHulb3UIbO5cjXg7eIAZKCO9-ZlfGVcq3Bjyghgb~pi2tgi9ZrmbPd8zhZU-0AQkuP9OG-LGhe93WFelFCOmUEOhDs~R-Nm52VgBhF0ICiOxHQdMRB9EoftMJ2PWibd2TYWxeoaj3ltx-Oop35Gp3byT2axvudkx-mXSXtJuLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Needham Human Rights Committee discussed its discrimination-complaint form and a related QR code as part of ongoing old-business items.

Committee members confirmed Tina had circulated the latest version of the form on April 6; committee members said they had a previously circulated older draft and wanted the newest version consolidated. A committee member said she would take responsibility for adding a QR code, required logos, and a contact phone number and would work with Carrie and Taylor to find a home for the form on the town’s web presence.

Members said the committee had voted on the form previously and that the outstanding items were formatting and ensuring an accessible online location. No new formal vote was recorded; members set follow-up tasks for the chair and staff to complete the updates and circulate the final version.","Committee members reviewed the most recent draft of a discrimination-complaint form and agreed to add a QR code, update branding and include a phone contact; committee members will post the revised form online.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6268696,"Committee weighs NRN request on emotional-wellness programming and hears plan for 'Needham Thrives' event",409,1705000,2114000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3051324-d08b063d8cf51cde03cb11e00f242e82&start=1705&end=2114","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3051324-d08b063d8cf51cde03cb11e00f242e82/thumbnail_1705000.jpg","/articles/6268696/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Committee-weighs-NRN-request-on-emotional-wellness-programming-and-hears-plan-for-Needham-Thrives-event","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268696-e93a1e628cec8df6f62c77d6042b703b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141400&Signature=W6cFTpXizmI03GysHeAPWEk8sdbcjnfN6IbHNaveb9cxsY67kwnL~PoXiHV4QYEr~6LEDKyA22p3eiC6VgKCPnACBpQ75PkUElcKl0maKoB83m2TVXqV11ApuMHZd6l4GT~F9PyB7BS7RF8fq5DCh-3QA3Mg4gLArfhyqDF9Kmeu2cT90rFhhtlWv9~4kM5OV9V9FBRFiWwxGAwCICDp~jmfifzUqbWsUY1K2NxM-w2WuR7fwIIB9hhr9YZKsu99jke0B0kUo3EQSAke9Znly107rXF~VubmEh2mQj7KHNLbAg0uq5zvUJj~T7kMFr74kaI0obZMwmjnkuEf2cx00Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee reviewed a proposal from the Needham Resource Network (NRN) asking town liaison groups to explore ways the committee could bring emotional-wellness resources and programming to Needham.

A committee speaker summarized NRN’s suggested focus areas — centralizing mental-health resources, early education, strengthening community and social connection, preventive approaches, civic engagement, and cultural competence — and asked whether mental-health work aligns with the committee’s mission.

Members described existing programs that they said support community mental wellness, including multicultural festivals and the Community Conversations on Race series, and encouraged partnering with groups already running related activities. Committee members mentioned a proposed NRN event called Needham Thrives, provisionally scheduled for Sept. 28, which would present results from NRN focus groups and outreach and invite committees to participate.

Members discussed concrete program models: follow-up small groups after events, centralized resource lists, co-sponsorship of prevention-oriented programming and supporting continuing connection for participants. The committee agreed to continue conversations with NRN and other town groups and to look for opportunities to co-sponsor or highlight mental-health resources in committee programming.","The Needham Human Rights Committee discussed a request from the Needham Resource Network (NRN) to elevate emotional-wellness programming and heard about a proposed 'Needham Thrives' community rollout in September.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6268701,"Needham committee explores 'Human Library' program; applicant seeks town committee sponsorship",292,2374000,2666000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3051324-d08b063d8cf51cde03cb11e00f242e82&start=2374&end=2666","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3051324-d08b063d8cf51cde03cb11e00f242e82/thumbnail_2374000.jpg","/articles/6268701/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-committee-explores-Human-Library-program-applicant-seeks-town-committee-sponsorship","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268701-d56f8fc3d931649b05a9134e30958894/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141400&Signature=nH3sqwl3lGo-dUqh9Q3XaXcacd1j~xy8Jepaajwg-M08Ww3DdebbjbUp5PP-FHG4P5-~uBUfqxX49qkhWhYGojAIw31RI3dzVTT9OBx8p65uAxSLyVmf-oporwdmNRylvOQR0vcOEjWcKRftNyXNJ415p61uk8Q7weWSuWlfju2sgYOUvmvp4wTgMiVK68q5~a3JQDFJTxHYVga0~qXviJiBXAuDjHnLhYr6JwVPZHV0ngQbSFU9NoEHCFQsaEC1YpDYMQLKuG~yWnFzQul7ror8t0LgwAJ8fzqWTYZGU02VjqIXx37KPINDk7deTEoqZHcAblxh-VxxkOM-DHp65w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Greg, a member of the Needham Human Rights Committee, presented a proposal to host a Human Library event in town and described steps he has taken to seek affiliation with the global Human Library organization.

Greg said he applied to the Human Library organization to become a local publisher and that the licensing process could take “a couple months” and possibly up to six months. He told the committee he had met with staff at the Center of the Heights and that the center’s staff expressed enthusiasm and offered several possible indoor and outdoor spaces.

Greg said library staff were receptive but described a more formal internal process; he identified Gay Carbonneau (library staff) and Ayesha Kelly (Center of the Heights) as local contacts who had discussed space and logistics. Greg said Miles at Town Hall told him the committee could gain wider access to municipal venues, and possibly additional backing, if the Human Rights Committee voted to sponsor the program.

Members discussed program format: volunteers would register as “books,” create short synopses for the public listing, and meet with readers one-on-one or in short sessions. Committee members described possible fall timing for a public event, recommended creating training or an orientation session for prospective “books,” and suggested a pilot event to establish procedures.

The committee agreed Greg should continue collecting information and return with a brief written plan and sample materials. Members said formal committee sponsorship would require a committee vote at a future meeting. Several members volunteered to assist with outreach and logistics as details develop.","Committee member Greg reported on efforts to establish a licensed Human Library in Needham, described early conversations with the Center of the Heights and the public library, and said licensing and institutional support could take months.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6268704,"Needham Human Rights Committee schedules Community Conversations on Race for May 22; will present DEI statement to Select Board May 13",669,463000,1132000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3051324-d08b063d8cf51cde03cb11e00f242e82&start=463&end=1132","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3051324-d08b063d8cf51cde03cb11e00f242e82/thumbnail_463000.jpg","/articles/6268704/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-Human-Rights-Committee-schedules-Community-Conversations-on-Race-for-May-22-will-present-DEI-statement-to-Select-Board-May-13","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268704-191ef0b8764de4a560e5cc7e238415fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141400&Signature=A8q6fs23gA1Cbu43X7IBKJwAssp-ytm67l5F~WdGrUgJTQX9yXusvEVzN9W6D5XP8c2S3cmFe1y-9hKhs6ctBAZ9bpCHjUQChfB4n1ZywVU~vJGrqTcqHR~2ErC9WUpwZ53y8hfulCFDfaIYBLrf5Gmje70tYNG6sN204pzUIEYzQZd7IVz8adHQDs5v9IoMgcvpuREoYGFmQWImD8Iz6Pzv9iimYPa69jj3OziQJ9t-tc6GAh8iQYUH8Q4hijQU9sgm3Mvek0cB0J4Y9v3IB6UFWq546jNGWakz4C-ylHPYs0Cg5WGULmAA~1zi~ctNvJEUxCHCQE0StLlGgITxpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Needham Human Rights Committee said it will hold a Community Conversations on Race program Thursday, May 22, at the Library Community Room, with doors and refreshments at 6:30 p.m. and a facilitated program from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m.

Committee member Cynthia (last name not specified) said the program will be facilitated by Gary Bailey of Simmons College and will include small-group interaction; organizers will encourage, but not require, registration via a QR code. “Please join us for a continuation of the workshop series that focuses on race and racism, history, shared language, self reflection, outstanding, and equity,” Cynthia read from the materials shared with the committee.

The committee also reported it will present a draft diversity, equity and inclusion statement to the Select Board on May 13. Committee members said they had received mostly positive feedback on the statement and that two committee members planned to attend the Select Board meeting to deliver the committee’s work.

Committee members described related events this spring and summer. Race Amity Day will be observed Sunday, June 8, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Avery Field in Needham Heights; organizers plan to dedicate a plaque marking Richard Frey’s gift to the town in support of youth recreation at Avery Field. The Needham Diversity Initiative (NDI), the Needham Human Rights Committee, Green Needham, the Needham History Center & Museum and the Select Board are listed as co-sponsors.

Committee members discussed Juneteenth and Needham Pride activities in June and said they would follow up to confirm town-sponsored plans and dates. The committee also discussed outreach to high-school students for events, including working with student media and student groups to recruit attendees and presenters.

Committee members asked volunteers to help with logistics such as refreshments and outreach; Tina and Carrie volunteered to coordinate food for the May 22 event. The committee emphasized that registration is encouraged to estimate food, but that registration would not be enforced as a requirement for entry.

The committee asked staff to circulate flyers and registration links as soon as they are available and to coordinate school outreach to recruit student participants.

The discussion ended with members agreeing to continue organizing outreach and to report back at the next meeting.","The Needham Human Rights Committee announced a May 22 Community Conversations on Race event at the Library Community Room, plans to present a diversity, equity and inclusion statement to the Select Board on May 13, and highlighted Race Amity Day and other June observances.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Needham Human Rights Committee approves March meeting minutes

Committee to add QR code and phone contact to discrimination-complaint form; latest draft circulated

Committee weighs NRN request on emotional-wellness programming and hears plan for 'Needham Thrives' event

Needham committee explores 'Human Library' program; applicant seeks town committee sponsorship

Needham Human Rights Committee schedules Community Conversations on Race for May 22; will present DEI statement to Select Board May 13