BRCHR ANNUAL REPORT—2005-2006. Marjorie A. Green, President

JUNE- Advocacy Coalition event –WIN, Working Interfaith Network, report back meeting with Mayor Melvin “Kip” Holden, June 20^th, St. Paul Catholic Church. Joined community to voice concerns re community policing, truancy, education reform and economic development.

AUGUST- American Jobs: A National Conversation Town Hall Meeting, Aug.2^nd at Lod Cook Alumni Center re jobs and economy in Baton Rouge from panel of business, government, and community leaders. Attended hearings held over next three months at by the Capitol Area Transportation System and Metro Council to postpone budget cuts and bus routes at this time.

SEPTEMBER- Increased Advocacy Coalition Membership, (see website www.brchr.org.). Served on Advisory Board of the Capitol Area Human Services District for the past year. Meetings for Sept.-Jan. focused on Hurricane Katrina community recovery efforts for displaced citizens needing mental-health services. Women’s Council of GBR honored BRC women and last year’s Humanitarian Award recipient Martha White at its 2005 Silver Magnolias’ Women Of Courage luncheon at Boudreaux’s, and A Dialogue on Race held at Barnes & Nobel sponsored by YWCA during the weeklong celebration.

OCTOBER- Joined YWCA in its annual Week Without Violence events Oct. 16-22 at various locations in the city. Members served on various boards that assisted displaced citizens, and worked with leadership team at Baton Rouge Area Chamber. Encouraged Library Tax vote.

NOVEMBER-Co-sponsored YWCA’s forum, Race and Poverty Issues After Hurricane Katrina, held at the Baton Rouge Community College with members serving as facilitators. BRC’s fall forum was held at the Instructional Resource Center re volunteers needed in public, private and parochial schools partnered with Volunteers in Public Schools. Fourteen agencies that assist children exhibited their programs and services to provide knowledge to local and displaced parents re educational services in the city, and encourage volunteers to participate where needed.

An Administrator/Counselor addressed needs from each educational setting. Pre PR slot on Ch.9 to announce event, and the Advocate’s Around Baton Rouge. Prayer Breakfast held by The Greater Baton Rouge Federation of Churches and Synagogues. Supported Breast Cancer Campaign-YWCA. Facilitator at Baton Rouge Parent University sponsored by The Baton Rouge Area Chamber at Scotlandville High School to train local and displaced parents. Distributed pamphlets, literature from volunteer forum to trailer villages and churches serving displaced parents.

DECEMBER-Tax –free Shopping days at Barnes & Noble to support Volunteers in Public Schools. Working Interfaith Network Action meeting involving Chief Jeff LeDuff and Col. Greg Phares re a community-policing plan in North Baton Rouge held at the Leadership Institute. Attended Christmas Volunteer Appreciation Day at Prescott Middle School, which is being counseled, for student behavior by Board member Dr. Diola Bagayoko.

JANUARY-Supported grant request through letter to the Babcock Foundation for YWCA to establish a Racial and Justice Center for Baton Rouge.

FEBRUARY- Celebrated the founding of BRC established Feb. 1965 as a non-profit civic organization to promote racial desegregation and better race relations.

MARCH-Spring Forum held at the MLK Center on the challenges to the parish in the wake of the population shift since Hurricane Katrina. Eight community providers made up the panel that shared issues that surfaced after the hurricane, and how service is being provided. Pre PR slot on Ch. 9 to announce event with photo/article of presenters in Advocate’s Club News. Attended follow-up meeting at YWCA re Babcock Foundation meeting with 12 community leader/agencies

Chaired by Babcock representative to gather feedback on objectives and strategies.

MAY- Annual Powell-Reznikoff Humanitarian Awards’ Ceremony/Dinner held at the Wesley Foundation presented to Mr. Thomas Woods, civil rights activist and first African American Fire

Chief in Baton Rouge, and Dr. Aileen A. Hendricks, community activist and Southern University Professor. Theme- “Devastation Strengthen the Human Spirit.” Pre PR article on each recipient with photo appeared The Advocate. Plaques presented to two students at Istrouma High School who demonstrated academic progress this school term. The Human Relations News, joint newsletter of the Louisiana Council on Human Relations and the Baton Rouge Council on Human Relations is published quarterly during the year.

JUNE- Annual membership meeting of both councils.