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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025 - HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION - WORK PLAN 1 FORT COLLINS HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION 2025 WORK PLAN November 30, 2024 MISSION As community leaders and advisors, the Human Relations Commission collaborates, educates, and advocates for equity and inclusion in the City of Fort Collins. VISION Embracing differences and giving value to every human being. PURPOSE The Fort Collins City Council established the Human Relations Commission (HRC) in 1964 to promote acceptance, equity, inclusion and respect for diversity through educational programs and to act in an advisory capacity to the City Council. LONG RANGE GOALS Cultivate relationships with the community and media that support the mission and vision Provide educational outreach that promotes equity and inclusion Advocate for an equitable and inclusive environment in city government and community The Fort Collins Human Relations Commission will continue a broad plan for enhancing productive human relations and supporting social sustainability issues that are pertinent to the City of Fort Collins and are consistent with the City Charter and the City Code. The Commission will strive to be informed about diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice issues within Fort Collins and will recommend appropriate action to City Council. The Commission will recommend programs, policies, and activities that promote positive human relations and equitable outcomes and greater opportunities for all. The Commission also may create and deliver programs and activities in furtherance of this objective. HRC goals and responsibilities are divided among four standing committees for procedural reasons, but are not exclusive to any one committee. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL: 2  Determine meeting agendas for monthly and special HRC meetings  Maintain regular communication with the HRC’s City Council Liaison and City Council  Collaborate with and support the City’s Office of Equity & Inclusion programs and initiatives  Delegate issues for resolution to standing or special committees  Provide support to HRC standing committees as needed  Call special meetings as needed  Adopt an “open door” policy and meet with Commissioners as needed  Explore opportunities to collaborate with other Boards and Commissions THE COMMUNITY RECOGNITION COMMITTEE SHALL:  Plan, coordinate and execute an annual Human Relations Awards event; consider both “live” and “virtual” options; promote early nominations for Award recipients; redefine award categories as needed to better reflect community diversity and inclusion  Recommend updates and refinements to the HRC website content so that its message and branding are clear  Expand HRC’s community relations by maintaining and building updated contact lists  Organize and track efforts by developing, in collaboration with the City, detailed communication plans for specific programs and events  Explore opportunities and collaborate with other DEIJ-focused groups and organizations to build community DEIJ efforts and impact, e.g., DEIJ networking events, ERG meet-ups, etc.  Report monthly to the HRC THE EDUCATION OUTREACH COMMITTEE SHALL:  Create a better understanding of equity and inclusion through educational programs and events, including, for example, collaborating with community organizations to host a “Human Library” event  Seek to deliver programs and events that educate community members and recommend actions that promote positive relationships in the city, all in the most accessible and equitable way  Plan and deliver interactive public forums and discussion sessions facilitated by Commission members and/or guest speakers  Propose collaboration opportunities with local organizations or other boards or commissions to respond to new or long-standing community issues or topics as identified in the City’s Equity Plan and/or City Council priorities  Document committee events to increase efficiency in future programming  Evaluate the impact of programming by surveying participants  Report monthly to the HRC 3 THE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE SHALL:  Monitor City Council activity and attend meetings as needed  Review proposed legislation, policy changes or other governmental actions at the Federal, State or Local level which may affect human rights in Fort Collins and recommend actions as appropriate  Establish consistent lines of communication with community leaders and partners, including periodic meetings with elected officials, candidates for local and state offices, etc. focused on topics related to equity and inclusion (for example, public health, housing, transportation and employment issues)  Align HRC’s priority objectives with local and state priorities as appropriate  Advocate for people of color to join City Boards, Commissions and Government  Explore scope of HRC quasi-judicial work with city leaders as requested. The HRC’s quasi-judicial role is to defined as follow in section 2-175 (b)(2) of the city code: To assist residents of the City in utilizing the complaint procedure under Chapter 13, Article II of the code and to hear appeals from decisions of the City Manager as provided in Subsection 13-23 (b) of the Code; provided, however, that any members of the Commission who have rendered assistance to particular complainants shall refrain from participating in the Commission’s review of any decision of the City Manager related to such complainant.  Report monthly to HRC