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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 - Human Relations Commission - Annual Report1 Human Relations Commission 2013 Annual Report As Community leaders and advisors to City Council, we research, deliberate and take proactive and responsive measures to promote the dignity of individuals and groups in Fort Collins. HRC Mission Statement Human Relations Commission Members in 2013 were Colleen Conway, Myles Crane, Christine Hays, Mary Lyons, James Owiny, Preety Sathe, and Faith Sternlieb. Executive Committee:  The HRC completed a self-assessment questionnaire and participated in a productive meeting with its Council Liaison and other members of Council for the latter’s sexennial Periodic Review.  The HRC’s former Vice-Chair and another HRC board member resigned prior to expiration of their terms owing to other commitments. The HRC completed its work as best possible with less than 80% board capacity for more than half the year. HRC recommended to Council at their Periodic Review that vacant board and commission positions should be filled to the extent possible on a timely basis. Educational Outreach Committee:  HRC continued successfully to work with other City Boards and Commissions including the Commission on Disability, Senior Advisory Board, Women’s Commission and Youth Advisory Board and others on issues of mutual concern to support and build better relations throughout the community. Throughout 2013, the HRC consistently kept City Council and other City Boards and Commissions informed each month regarding HRC activities  During the past year HRC members completed training in Touchstone Health Partners (THP) Mental Health First Aid Program. HRC also participated at planning meetings regarding community mental health issues with other organizations such as the Health District, Poudre School District, CSU’s Center for Public Deliberation, the University of Northern Colorado Leadership Training Conference, the League of Women Voters and others on mental health educational outreach. HRC also has established plans for a series of bi-monthly community discussions at Poudre River Public Library District scheduled for 2014.  HRC continues to work with the Foundation on Aging, Larimer County Office on Aging, the Senior Advisory Board and more than a dozen other community organizations in an educational outreach program for Fort Collins and surrounding communities to be recognized as “Aging Friendly”.  A variety of guest speakers shared helpful insights to the Commission addressing social sustainability and related issues. During the past year these guest speakers included the City’s Mayor, Karen Weitkunat; Greg Tempel, Senior Assistant City Attorney; Joe Frank, Director Department of Social Sustainability; Bridgette Johnson, Director of the Colorado State University Black/African American Cultural Center; Eleanor Dwight, UN Association, Northern Colorado Chapter; Tracy Hays, Program Director, United Way 2- 1-1 of Larimer County; Linda Maher, Member, Board of Directors, Alliance for Suicide 2 Prevention of Larimer County; FCPD’s Sgt. Dean Cunningham, past recipient of the Human Relations Award, Captain Jerry Schiager, and Patrolman Josh Golden; Karen Buchanan, former HRC, Chair; Elaine Boni, LCOA Advisory Council Member and former HRC Vice Chair; Cindy Bragdon, Board Member and President-Elect, Project Self-Sufficiency; Dave Swineheart, Development Director, Disabled Resource Services; Pam Weir, FC Management Assistant Program – City Manager’s Office; Molly Wendell, former Boards and Commissions Coordinator; Ginny Sawyer, FC Policy and Project Manager; Jeni James Arndt, Liaison, Commission on Disability; Suzanne Jarboe- Simpson, FC Change Management Analyst; Pranaya Sathe, former Chair, Youth Advisory Board; Erica Gagne Giaze, Enforcement Manager, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; Justin T. Moore, Compliance Investigator CO Dept. of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Civil Rights; and Vanessa Fenley, Homeward 2020.  The HRC also supported events for GBLTQQI Rights, Disabled Persons and participated in community activities regarding the correctional system, senior transportation and other affordable housing and social sustainability programs. It also expressed support for a multi-cultural conference. Government Relations Committee  Meetings at City Council, Citizen Review Board, Senior Advisory Board, Larimer County Office on Aging Advisory Council, American Civil Liberties Union, the Center for Public Deliberation at Colorado State University, the Center among others were attended and/or monitored.  The HRC documented a policy with regard to the Citizen Liaison Program and collaborated with both the Citizen Review Board and City Attorney’s Office to ensure that the document was consistent with City policy.  The HRC maintains a list of translators available to citizens who may need this service.  Members of the HRC were presented with a Proclamation from City Council proclaiming Human Rights Day on December 10th  As a means of informing City Council and other Boards and Commission, the HRC emails a highlights summary of important events and activities after each HRC meeting.  During 2013 HRC also made several presentations before City Council Meetings about HRC-related events of interest to Council and its constituents. Media / Community Recognition Committee:  Once again the HRC conducted a search for individuals, groups, companies or organizations which inspire contributions and leadership on behalf of minority or disadvantaged citizens to the betterment of the community. A Breakfast celebration was held at the Senior Center on May 2nd. Awards were presented to the winners. The Guest Speaker was Laura Frank, Executive Director of I-News, the Rocky Mountain Investigative News Network. The event was attended by approximately 100 people. The HRC Awards Breakfast was coordinated with the Commission on the 3 Status of Women which presented its annual Marcile N. Wood award to a person who worked to advance the status of women in the community. The HRC is considering plans for its 50th anniversary in 2014.  A member of the HRC was appointed as a community leader for the Martin Luther King Day celebration events and members of the HRC assisted in judging the Poudre School District Youth Art and Writing Contests.  HRC was represented at the Commission on Disability’s Annual Mayor’s Awards.  HRC also participated in a Diversity Training Class at Colorado State University. HRC looks forward to continue in its advisory capacity to City Council and to building bridges in the Fort Collins community in 2014.