The Colorado Springs Human Relations Commission ---- 2011 --- A New Page
by Tom Strand, Interim HRC Chair
The Human Relations Commission in Colorado Springs is back after an absence of almost 17 years.
In June of 2010 the Colorado Springs City Council passed Ordinance 10-48. In early 2011, over 35 volunteer candidates were interviewed and on March 8th nine commissioners were selected for 2-4 year service terms along with three alternate Commissioners. This Commission met for the first time in City Hall on April 28th. After a brief orientation, the 12 person Commission selected an Interim Chair, Tom Strand, Interim Vice Chair, Ernest House and Interim Secretary, Teressa Hill. The interim officers are designated to serve until September 2011 when a slate of permanent officers are elected. Since the initial April 28th meeting the Colorado Springs HRC has met on the third Wednesday of each month, as well as on May 21st for a general team building and organizational half -day session.  The mission statement and objectives of the HRC are still under development but are generally set out in the ordinance. The draft mission statement is: "To promote understanding and respect for all Colorado Springs residents by facilitating constructive communications through referrals, conflict resolution and proactive outreach." The purpose of the HRC is to help guard against mal-treatment and discrimination in all parts of life for our residents, including housing, transportation, employment and day-to-day activities.
The HRC has created two sub-committees, Education and Structure, in order to accomplish the background work to properly launch the HRC later this fall. These committees have met 2 to 3 times to establish educational and training requirements (such as mediation skills) and to ensure the Commission is fully prepared to assist residents with a myriad of potential issues/problems. The Structure Subcommittee has drafted by-laws and other operating documents which are currently being reviewed and are pending Commission adoption. The committees are working with members of City Council and other city offices, such as Legal and HR, to start up a program, a website, and public contact information for the HRC. Stand by for the official announcement of the activation of your new HRC later this year!
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Creating Community Breakfast
a Success!
Thanks to more than 400 attendees, volunteers, board and committee members and performers, Citizens Project raised over $50,000 at the 7th annual Creating Community Breakfast event on June 9 !
The Creating Community Breakfast featured a diverse array of speakers and musicians including: Una Ng-Brasch, Joey Glick, Lynn Young, Vanessa Roberts, Steve Elder, Shawna Kemppainen and Kristy Milligan, and also featured musical performances by Anthony and RaDonna Bell.
Read more and view event photos here...
Thank you to everyone who participated, and thanks to our sponsors:
 
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Get Involved
Volunteers still needed to serve on Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
The City of Colorado Springs is seeking three citizen volunteers to serve on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Applicants must have a letter of endorsement from a nonprofit open space group.
As an advisory body to the City Council on parks and recreation resources within the City, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board reviews matters pertaining to the planning, development, improvement, beautification, equipping and maintaining the public parks, playgrounds, programs, urban forest, recreation facilities and resources including golf courses and center street medians. Meetings take place the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 a.m.
Send letters of interest and resumes before Friday, June 17 to mdevine@springsgov.com or mail to City Council; Attention Marti Devine Sletta; P.O. Box 1575; Colorado Springs, CO 80901. Or, fill out the Application for Appointment to a City Board, Committee or Commission, which can be found at www.SpringsGov.com by clicking on "Commissions and Committees" on the homepage. (The application cannot be submitted online at this time. Please send to the e-mail or physical address above.) For questions or more information, please call (719) 385-5453.
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Articles of Interest
God, Don't Bless The IRS
May-June
Utne Reader
High School Student Stands Up Against Prayer
May 25, 2011
Alternet
Illinois Civil Unions Law Goes into Effect
June 1, 2011
CNN
U.S. Department of Education Vows to Support GSAs
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Recent CP Blog Posts
Join the Conversation
Creating Community Breakfast a Success! read it here Citizens Project's Open House |
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Upcoming Events
NAACP Community Juneteenth Celebration Saturday June 18: Armstrong Quad. 10AM-5PM It celebrates freedom for all people and an end to all oppression. Join with us for a day of old-style Barbecue and "soul" food, entertainment, information and empowerment. Vendors, exhibitors and performers welcome. Contact Frank Lytle, NAACP Juneteenth Chair, at fdlytle@aol.com or 719.200.6308 Citizens Project Open House Tuesday, July 12, 2011 5-6:30pm 4360 Montebello Dr, Suite 800 (map) Join us to see our office, mingle with other CP supporters, and learn about volunteering with Citizens Project! RSVP Colorado Springs Pridefest 2011 Springs Graffiti: An iconic revival of the fierce and fabulous 50s July 16-17 10am-6pm (both days) Acacia Park more information The Gospel Explosion Sunday, July 24, 5pm City Auditorium A performance to educate, recreate and elevate youth in our community. More information Sexual Health Educator Institute July 26-28 Colorado Springs, CO Planned Parenthood presents a three-day intensive training course aimed at giving youth serving professionals the information and skills useful in providing high quality,effective, medically accurate and comprehensive sexuality education. For more Information or to register, please contact Lauren at 719.574.1905 or Lauren.Cikara@pprm.org Everybody Welcome: A Celebration of Culture and Diversity Activities all week, beginning with the Everybody Welcome festival August 7, 10am-4pm America the Beautiful Park More information
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