The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2023 - Human Relations Commission - Work Plan 1 FORT COLLINS HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION 2023 WORK PLAN November 30, 2022 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. 2 THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL:  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  Meet regularly with commissioners on a one‐on‐one basis to maintain and enhance connection among HRC members  Explore opportunities to collaborate with other Boards and Commissions, and DEI‐focused organizations in the community THE MEDIA/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  Build HRC’s community and media relations by maintaining an updated contact list and building a far‐reaching communications platform, including social media and city newspapers  Work towards engaging the community through consistent media presence  Organize and track efforts by developing a detailed communication plan  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 in the most accessible and equitable way  Plan and deliver interactive public forum or discussion sessions  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 Equity Indicators reported by the City’s Equity and Inclusion office  Educate citizens and recommend actions that promote positive relationships and outcomes within our City  Document committee events to increase efficiency in future programming  Evaluate the impact of programming by surveying participants  Recruit speakers and facilitators  Report monthly to the HRC 3 THE GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE SHALL:  Monitor City Council activity and attend meetings as needed  Work with City Council and all residents to promote the Principles of Community that will serve as a guide for our community  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. Consider reviewing city jobs through an equity lens.  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  Collaborate with other organizations whose primary mission is social justice in Fort Collins, for example, Fort Collins Equity Collective Networking event  Explore scope of HRC quasi‐judicial work with city leaders. 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