TABLE OF CONTENTS INFORMATION PACKET

Report of the Grammateus Friday, March 16, 2018

Information Packet Embassy Suites

Downtown Sacramento

Topic Page

Executive Committee Minutes (3/7/18) 1

Pacific Regional Board Minutes (3/1/18)---Sire Archon 3-5

Community Safety Education Act—Archon Keeley 6-11

Note: Any additional reports will be added as an Addendum.

Click on Topic or page # below to go to each report

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Minutes Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity

Executive Committee Gamma Epsilon Boulé

Thursday, March 7, 2018 Embassy Suites

Sacramento 6:30 p.m. The Executive Committee convened.

Archon Shelton J. Duruisseau presiding.

Without objection, the agenda for today’s meeting was approved. Archons in attendance (8/11): Cox, Duruisseau, Jackson, James, Lites, Ross, Keeley and Wilson. Other Archons in attendance: James Jordan, Chair, Foundation and Strategic Planning Committee; Archon Ira Joyner. Membership Council Report on Proposed Candidates—Archon Nathan Cox

• Archon Nathan Cox, Chair of the Membership Council and Archons Tommy Ross and Eugene Spencer, Members of the Council updated the Executive Committee on the status of Council-related business.

• Each sponsor will be given the opportunity to speak on their respective nominee (2

minutes). In addition, at the request of Archon Keeley, the Council will afford the opportunity for co-sponsors to speak in support of a candidate.

• The Council will conduct a confidential canvass of our membership between Monday,

April 9 through Friday, April 20. Proposed 125th Member Boulé in South Atlanta—Archon Wilson

• An extensive report was submitted by the Office of the Grand Boulé (OOTGB) regarding the establishment of a Member Boulé (MB’s) in South Atlanta. An extensive report from the OOTGB was distributed to all Archons in Gamma Epsilon for their review. A total of 2/3 of the 134 existing MB’s are required to support a proposed new MB before it can be “set aside” as a new Boulé, subject to approval at the Grand Boulé in June in Cincinnati.

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• The demographics of Atlanta and the quality of the candidates justifies the support of this request.

Community Safety Education Act and the Legislative Black Caucus—Archon Keeley • As an informational item, Archon Keeley outlined legislation that State Senator Royce

West (D-Texas) sponsored—“The Community Safety Education Act”. As stated by Senator West, the purpose of this measure is to address the numerous reports of officer-involved shootings of unarmed citizens, especially minorities.

• The Community Safety Education Act would require states to publish a chapter in their

driver's license handbook on motorists' interactions with law enforcement officials and include similar language in school curriculums, driver education courses and police academies and training.

• The proponents of this legislation outline the reasons this bill is a “commonsense approach

to reducing the incidence of fatal encounters that occur between citizens and law enforcement during traffic stops”. (See the more detailed information under reports for the March 16, 2018 Meeting; filed under the “Minutes” tab at gammaepsilboule.org)

State of Black California—Archon Keeley Archon Keeley reported on the recent “State of Black California” event that was sponsored by the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) in February of 2018. This report was the “10th Anniversary” and a follow-up to a more extensive report that the CLBC and Archon Tommy Ross facilitated a decade ago with then Speaker Karen Bass. It was noted that the 2018 report was not as extensive as the report in 2008 that included input from academicians and experts in a wide range of fields. In the opinion of one member of the Executive Committee, this year’s event was more like a legislative hearing. One key report that was released during the hearing related to the lack of voter participation by African-Americans and the need to develop proactive strategies to address this serious issue. Pacific Regional Conference Call—Sire Archon Duruisseau Sire Archon Duruisseau reported that the Regional Sire Archon plans to have regular conference calls with the Sire Archons in the Pacific Region. The first conference call is summarized in the minutes that were submitted by the Regional Grammateus. (See the attached Addendum on below on page 3 of these minutes for the summary.) Submitted by E. Dotson Wilson, Grammateus 3/16/2018 (2/20/2018 corrected)

SEE ADDENDUM BELOW ON PAGE 3

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ADDENDUM—MINUTES OF THE PACIFIC REGIONAL

MEETING ON MARCH 1, 2018 VIA CONVERENCE CALL

As submitted by Regional Grammateus Robinson: On Thursday, March 1, 2018 at 7:00PM, Pacific Region Sire Archon G. Bernard Brown convened a teleconference meeting with the Sire Archons of the Pacific Region. The teleconference was called to order by Pacific Region Sire Archon Brown at 7:04PM. Pacific Region Sire Archon Brown asked Pacific Region Grammateus Robinson to conduct a roll call of Archons on the teleconference. Roll Call of Officers Present – Kevin Robinson, Pacific Region Grammateus:

Pacific Region Sire Archon G. Bernard Brown (Xi) Pacific Region Sire Archon Elect George Strait (Alpha Gamma) Pacific Region Past Sire Archon Philip M. Smith (Alpha Gamma) Xi Boule – Sire Archon Elect Roderick T. Henley Alpha Gamma Boule´- Sire Archon James Jackson Gamma Alpha Boule´- Sire Archon Tony Finley Gamma Chi Boule´- Sire Archon Bobby Sisk Delta Xi Boule´- Archon Damon Brown Delta Phi Boule´- Sire Archon Wayne Monfries Epsilon Eta Boule´- Grammateus Earl H. Brown Epsilon Tau Boule´- Sire Archon Samuel Gibbs Gamma Epsilon Boule´- Sire Archon Shelton Duruisseau

PRSA Brown thanked all of those present for being flexible with their schedules on such short notice. He then provided an update on the Sigma Pi Phi Executive Board Meeting that was held in Phoenix, Arizona. Executive Board Meeting Information: All new charter Boule´s will be required to be 100% Minton Fellow Legacy members at the time of

their induction. Each Boule´ is being directed to obtain Directors and Officers Liability Insurance, (if they have not

already purchased it). PRSA Brown asked that each Pacific Region Boule´ comply with this directive as soon as possible, allowing him to report 100% Pacific Region compliance by the April Grand Executive Committee Meeting. The cost of the insurance is approximately $700.00 per year.

o Grammateus Robinson will send a separate correspondence to each Pacific Region Boule´s Grammateus about the insurance.

Each Boule´ is asked to develop a Written Sexual Abuse Policy as soon as possible. A sample/template can be found on the Grand Website under Publications – Boule´ Insurance Coverage.

o Grammateus Robinson will send a separate correspondence to each Pacific Region Boule´s Grammateus about the policy.

Each Boule´ is being directed to purchase a Domain Name in the name of their respective Boule´. For example, Gamma Mu Boule´ might adopt GammaMu.Org. Such a move would allow each Boule´ to establish email addresses for each of the officers, such as (sirearchon@GammaMu.Org). Then, that email would remain the same, regardless of who is in the position. The purpose of this directive is for greater continuity, allowing for uninterrupted messaging/communication.

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The 2019 Pacific Regional Boule´ in Pasadena, California, hosted by Gamma Zeta Boule´ will be October 17th through 21st, 2019. Additional information will follow in the coming months.

Registration for the Grand Boule in June 2018 is open. Boule´s are asked to identify their delegates and have them register as soon as possible.

PRSA Brown has directed each of the Pacific Region Officers to reach out to their respective counterparts in each Boule´ to establish/maintain a flow of communication. Your Sire Archon Elects, Grammateus, Grapters, Thesauristes, Agogos, and Rhetoricos should be hearing from the regional officers in the next few weeks.

PRSA Brown was able to attend several Boule´ Christmas Parties and would like to get around to the Pacific Regional Boule´s for different occasions.

o If your Boule´ is planning a special event keep Sire Archon Brown in mind as a guest. Contact him directly for any such opportunities.

That concludes the information provided by PRSA Brown. At this point he opened the meeting to questions.

Sire Archon Shelton Duruisseau (Gamma Epsilon) asked if there was a timeline for each Boule´ purchasing the insurance. PRSA Brown suggested that it be done as soon as possible. He stated that a template is on the Grand website. Archon Duruisseau asked about future teleconference calls such as this one. PRSA Brown stated that he would like to make it a monthly occurrence. After the conference call PRSA Brown directed Grammateus Robinson to poll the Pacific Region Sire Archons for the best night to conduct such a call. The email will be sent out later in the week asking for input. Past Pacific Region Sire Archon Philip Smith inquired whether or not the Pacific Region would convene a meeting in Cincinnati during the Grand Boule. PRSA Brown stated he’d like to leave that option open for now. Sire Archon Samuel Gibbs (Epsilon Tau) asked PRSA Brown about his availability for May 19th, that an email with additional information was forthcoming. PRSA Brown replied in the affirmative.

That concluded the question and answer portion of the meeting. The conference call was concluded at approximately 7:45PM

ADDENDUM OF REGIONAL MINUTES

However, upon completion of the conference call PRSA Brown realized he had forgotten to discuss another point with the Sire Archons. He asked that Grammateus Robinson include that particular information in an addendum to the notes and send it out to each of the Pacific Region Sire Archons. Listed below is the information, a request from Grand Sire Archon Elect Gregory Vincent. The below listed response date has been adjusted. Dear Regional Sire Archons- I trust that you all enjoyed a merry Christmas and are preparing for a prosperous and healthy New Year. My Archousa Kim and I enjoyed a wonderful and restful holiday with our children in Geneva.

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I write to enlist your support in identifying Archons to serve on committees in my administration. Please share the member boule of each nominated Archon and a brief justification for your support. I am particularly interested in young Archons and those with a demonstrated track record of service and subject matter expertise. Feel free to reach out to the Sire Archons in your respective regions. All Archons must be a least a Minton Fellow by The 2018 Grand Boule in order to serve. I would like your recommendations by January 19, 2018. Fraternally, Gregory Vincent Grand Sire Archon Elect Standing Committees Chair, Grand Audit Committee, Chair, Grand Constitution and Bylaws Committee, Chair, Grand Finance Committee Chair, Grand Grievances and Complaints Committee, Chair, Grand Public Policy Committee Chair, Grand Social Action Committee Chair, Grand Strategic Planning Committee Ad Hoc Committees Chair, Council of Past Grand Sire Archons Chair, Council of Regional Sire Archons Chair, Grand Blacks on Corporate Boards Committee Chair, Grand Elections Committee Chair, Grand Growth and Expansion Committee Chair, Grand Historically Black Colleges and Universities Committee Chair, Grand International Committee Chair, Grand Resolutions Committee Chair, Grand Resource Advisory Committee Chair, Grand Rules and Credentials Committee Chair, Grand Technology Advisory Committee Chair, Grand Time and Place Committee Gregory J. Vincent '83 President Hobart and William Smith Colleges 300 Pulteney Street Geneva, NY 14456 In order to expedite Grand Sire Archon Vincent’s request, PRSA Brown would like any recommendations forwarded to Grammateus Robinson by email, kevrob3870@aol.com by Sunday, March 18, 2018. This would allow PRSA Brown to have the recommendations at the next Grand Executive Committee Meeting. Kevin L. Robinson Gamma Mu Boule´ - Sire Archon Elect Pacific Region Grammateus

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Information regarding Proposed New Legislation: “The Community Safety Education Act” of 2018

With the support of Sire Archon Duruisseau, the Business and Public Policy Committee (BPPC) of Gamma Epsilon Boulé, under the direction of its Chair, Archon Michael Keeley, has taken the lead in facilitating the introduction of Assembly Bill (AB) 2918 by Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena).

Assemblymember Holden and Archon Keeley collaborated to introduce this measure in March of 2018. The California Legislature will conduct hearings and consider the measure between now and when the session adjourns on August 31 of this year.

AB 2918 (Holden) is modeled after “The Community Safety Education Act” (SB 30), legislation that was enacted in Texas in 2017. As stated by Senator West, the purpose of this measure is to address the numerous reports of officer-involved shootings of unarmed citizens, especially minorities. (Senator West (D-Dallas) is an Archon in Alpha Epsilon who also serves as the chair of the Grand Boulé Policy Committee.)

The Community Safety Education Act would require states to publish a chapter in their driver's license handbook on motorists' interactions with law enforcement officials and include similar language in school curriculums, driver education courses and police academies and training.

3/12/2018

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Senate Bill 30

The Community Safety Education Act Senate Bill 30 (SB30) was passed by the 85th Texas Legislature and signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 9, 2017. The bill has as its chief objective, to address the numerous reports of officer-involved shootings of unarmed citizens - many of them minorities - that have occurred in recent years; too many of which have ended with disturbing and fatal consequences. SB30 has the goal of improving the relationships between members of law enforcement and the communities which they serve. SB30 takes the approach of providing additional training for law enforcement on what they may encounter during a driver or citizen interaction. It also provides instructional materials to drivers and citizens on how they should conduct themselves during a traffic stop or other instances where they come in contact with members of law enforcement. The bill was jointly authored by State Senator Royce West (D-Dallas County) and State Senator John Whitmire (D-Harris County), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice. SB30 was developed through dialogue that included meetings and an interim hearing with stakeholders which included the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), law enforcement officials and officer labor organizations, city and county officials, advocacy groups, prosecutors, defense attorneys and the public. It enjoyed early support from Texas' Lt. Governor, initially passed the Texas Senate unanimously (31-0), the Texas House 109-27, concurred by 129-19, and finally passed the Senate on a second unanimous vote. SB30 employs a multi-pronged methodology that involves multiple state regulatory agencies, including the State Board of Education/Texas Education Agency (SBOE/TEA), the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR). It also received strong input and support from the Department of Public Safety. Recommendations originally developed by the stakeholder workgroup, now codified, will be used by the Board of Education/TEA to create curriculum that would be incorporated into classroom instructional materials for high schools students grades 9-12. SBOE/TEA is also tasked with working with TDLR on instructional materials based on the language of SB30 that will be made part of driver training courses (driver education) and driving safety courses (defensive driving). TDLR regulates driver education and driver safety course

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instructors. In addition, the Board of Education/TEA will work in conjunction with TCOLE, the regulatory agency for all state-licensed law enforcement agencies and peace officers, to produce training materials for current officers and those training to join the ranks of law enforcement. SB30 was greatly assisted by support from the Department of Public Safety. DPS was initially asked by Senator West to assist in the development of language that would be placed in the driver training manual produced by the agency; and also provided testimony during an interim hearing called by Senator Whitmire. When informed of existing materials already part of the training manual, DPS made additional recommendations that were discussed, amended and adopted by the stakeholder workgroup. The revised recommendations to license applicants will be added to the driver training manual, effective September 2017, as SB30 becomes law. The bill's authors and supporters believe that combined with required input from the public and local governing authorities, the guidance provided by SB30 will prove valuable in creating a common and consistent message that will be taught and repeated to law enforcement and the general public, both young and adult, which will work to enhance public safety. They envision SB30 not as a panacea, but as another critical component that will assist in lessening tensions and improving trust between the community at-large and law enforcement. In working together, much can be accomplished for the greater good. SB30 contains the statutory basis from which state regulatory agencies will devise training and instructional content within the following areas:

SB30 Statutory Guidelines and Recommendations The role of law enforcement and duties and responsibilities of police officers

• Officers should treat motorists with dignity and respect.

• Drivers should be advised that officers are not required by state law to provide their

names or badge numbers to a driver, but may do so if required to by agency policy.

• It is recommended that an officer explain to a driver that when a citation is issued, it is with the implied agreement that the driver will appear in court or make the arrangements necessary to satisfy the court appearance. Or, the officer should instruct drivers to read the information provided on the citation regarding the driver’s obligation to appear in court.

• When seeking to perform a consensual search, officers should elicit clear consent for the

search, including when practicable, a signed statement or video recorded affirmative consent to the search from the motorist.

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• While it is not required by law, it is recommended that an officer inform a driver or passenger of when they are no longer being detained.

Proper behavior for civilians and officers during interactions

• While being stopped by an officer, a driver should be instructed to slow down immediately and pull over to the right side of the road as soon as possible.

• When being stopped by an officer, it recommended for a driver to park the vehicle on the

right shoulder or to the right of the road as far as safely possible. If safe parking is unavailable at roadside, a driver should move slowly to a side street or parking lot away from high volume traffic.

• When being stopped by an officer, when visibility is limited, it is recommended for a

driver to activate vehicle hazard lights and/or interior dome lights.

• Drivers should be advised that an officer may approach their vehicle from the passenger side for reasons of safety.

• When their vehicle is stopped, a driver should place the vehicle in park and engage the

emergency brake. It is recommended for drivers, except for certain circumstances, to turn their engines off.

• If a driver is uncertain that the vehicle performing the traffic stop is a police car, the

driver should be instructed to drive slowly and carefully, below the speed limit, to a well-lighted and populated location. A driver may contact 9-1-1 and remain on the line until the officer’s identity is verified. However, drivers should be advised that it is a violation of state law and the driver can be arrested for not stopping when the vehicle performing the stopped is a marked law enforcement or emergency response vehicle.

• During a vehicle stop, drivers should be instructed to keep their hands visible or on the

steering wheel and passengers should keep their hands in plain sight. State law requires the driver to lower their window.

• During a traffic stop, all drivers should be instructed not to reach or search for their

license(s) or insurance documents before or while the officer approaches the vehicle. Before attempting to access license or insurance documents, a driver should be instructed to notify the officer of the location of those items.

• Drivers should be instructed to follow the officer’s instructions and should be informed

that certain movements as the officer is approaching, or has arrived at their vehicle, such as reaching and searching for required documents, could be interpreted as a threat to the officer’s safety or indicate possible criminal activity.

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• During a traffic stop, a driver and passengers should be instructed to remain inside the vehicle unless instructed to exit by the officer. If instructed to exit the vehicle, drivers should check traffic and do so safely.

• Drivers should be instructed to not to attempt to leave a traffic stop until it has been

indicated by the officer that the stop is complete. At that time, a driver should give the appropriate signal and re-enter traffic safely.

• All drivers should receive instruction on how to safely interact with law enforcement if there is a firearm inside the passenger compartment of their vehicle. All drivers should be advised that they should store their required documents in a different location from that of the firearm.

A person’s rights concerning interactions with police officers

• Law enforcement and drivers should be instructed to respond with courtesy during traffic stops and other officer / citizen interactions.

• Drivers and passengers should be instructed that although it is lawful for them to remain

silent during a traffic stop, they are required by law to truthfully identify themselves when asked to do so by an officer. A driver or passenger can be arrested for giving false identifying information to an officer.

• Drivers should be instructed that if they are placed under arrest, it is an offense to refuse

to identify themselves, to not provide their address, or to refuse to give their date of birth to an officer.

• A driver should be instructed that although they have the right to remain silent, it may be

beneficial to verbally provide identifying and address information and to an officer if they cannot present their license.

• A person who is a passenger in a vehicle should receive instructions advising them that

they can be asked questions by an officer while they are being detained. However, a passenger can ask an officer if they are being detained or if they are free to leave and have the right to leave if they are not being detained.

• A driver should receive instruction advising them of their right to refuse to have their

vehicle searched if asked by an officer. However, a driver must also be instructed that if an officer has reason to believe that the vehicle contains evidence of a crime, the vehicle can be searched without the driver’s consent.

• A driver should receive instruction that if an officer suspects that a weapon is on their

person, the officer may conduct a pat-down search of their clothing. A driver may not physically resist the search, but has the right to notify the officer that they do not consent

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to any further search. Instructions should include that consent to a search may later be used in court.

• Drivers and passengers should also be advised that an officer may conduct a non-

consensual search based on an officer’s observation that the subject detained has responded in a way to make the officer believe that the subject has engaged in a criminal act or is about to engage in a criminal act.

• Drivers, passengers and other citizens should receive instructions on how to respond if

they believe that an officer has acted inappropriately during a traffic stop or other officer / citizen encounter. These instructions should inform a driver, passenger or citizen on the appropriate governmental body for a complaint to be filed, whether the law enforcement agency is a municipal police department or a Sheriff’s Department or if the complaint involves the Texas Department of Public Safety.

For questions or more information, please contact the office of State Senator Royce West.

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