Human Rights Commission Executive Subcommittee

AGENDA Human Rights Commission Subcommittee- Executive Meeting 5:15 PM - Wednesday, March 13, 2024 New Ulm Public Library Lower Level Meeting Room Page 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. TOPICS OF DISCUSSION 2.1. Review Mission Statement. 2 Mission Statement 2020 2.2. Review By-Laws. 3-5 By-Laws 2023-03-27 Approved 3. ADJOURNMENT Page 1 of 5  NEW ULM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Mission Statement To secure for all individuals equal opportunity to employment, housing, public accommodations, public service, and education; and to secure full participation in the affairs of this community by assisting the State Department of Human Rights and by advising the city on long-range programs to improve human relations in the city. Page 2 of 5  NEW ULM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION BY-LAWS 1. NAME The name of this organization shall be the New Ulm Human Rights Commission as established by the City Council of the City of New Ulm on July 7, 1970, Ordinance 258. 2. MEETINGS a. Regular meetings of the Commission shall be held on the 4th Monday of every month, or as may be designated by the Chairperson, or in the absence or disability of the Chairperson, by the Vice-Chairperson. b. Special meetings of the Commission may be called by the Chairperson on three days’ notice on such officers on volition or upon request of a majority of the Commission members. c. All meetings of the Commission shall be open to the public. 3. OFFICERS The officers of the Commission shall be a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and a Secretary. a. The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Commission and shall be the official spokesperson thereof. The Chairperson shall have authority to appoint committees and possess such other authority as may be granted by the Commission from time to time. b. The Vice-Chairperson shall preside in the absence of the Chairperson and shall share administrative duties of the Commission with the Chairperson. c. The Secretary shall see that a record is kept of the minutes of the Commission meetings, have custody and shall account for any funds made available to the Commission, and shall perform such other duties as may be directed by the Chairperson. A report shall be sent by the Secretary following each regular meeting or special meeting to the Mayor. d. All officers shall be elected at the first regular meeting of the Commission each year. All officers shall hold office for one year until their successors are duly elected. Page 1 of 3 NUHRC By-Laws March 27, 2023 Page 3 of 5 4. COMMITTEES a. A permanent Executive Committee shall exist to undertake routine decisions necessary to carry out day-to-day activities. In addition, the Chairperson shall have authority to form staff committees as needed. b. Events Committee shall plan and implement social events including but not limited to the annual New Ulm Human Rights Award nomination and ceremony as well as participation in local fairs, events, and parades. c. Education Committee shall plan and implement educational events including but not limited to the annual poster and essay contests, providing educational material for social events such as fairs and parades, and arranging speakers and events bringing educational opportunities to the Commission and our community. d. Public Relations Committee shall compose communications for publication in response to local issues including but not limited to events, articles, and letters to the editor with the purpose of timely responses by the Commission as well as providing periodic information to local news outlets regarding the New Ulm Human Rights Commission. 5. BUDGET Requests for funds will be made to the City Manager as the need arises. All Commission members shall serve without remuneration, but they may be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the performance of their duties when such expenses are authorized by the Council or City Manager. 6. QUORUM A majority of all members of the Commission present and in good standing shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business at any regular or special meeting. 7. MEMBERSHIP The Commission shall consist of 9 members, with rotating three-year terms. Members shall be appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council. The Commission may suggest names to the Mayor to fill openings as they occur. Student members from our local high schools may be appointed by the chairperson. Any interested person may attend meetings, serve on committees and participate in Commission activities. They shall be called associate members. Length of membership shall be not more than two three-year appointments. Members may be appointed to fill an unexpired term of a resigned member, and such shall not count as a part of the two three-year terms. A member may be reappointed to additional Page 2 of 3 NUHRC By-Laws March 27, 2023 Page 4 of 5  three year terms after having been off the Commission for a period of one year or longer. This may be repeated as often as necessary. As far as possible, the profile of the Commission shall include members of the protected classes or individuals who have regular contact with persons in a protected class. 8. GUIDELINES FOR THE SELECTION OF CANDIDATES To be endorsed by the Human Rights Commission and considered by the Mayor. • The individual is a member of a protected class or has regular contact with issues affecting them. • The individual is familiar with issues that result in discrimination of those in a protected class. • The individual expresses a commitment to improving the human rights atmosphere of New Ulm. • The individual acknowledges the need and potential for strong human rights protection assured through the Minnesota Human Rights Law, which prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, public services, education, credit, and business based on protected class, such as: race, religion, disability, national origin, sex, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, and gender identity. 9. AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAWS These By-Laws shall be reviewed by the Executive Committee each year and amended as needed by a majority of the Commission members present at any regular or special meeting of the Commission, providing ten (10) days prior notice of the proposed amendments has been given. Amended and approved March 27, 2023 Page 3 of 3 NUHRC By-Laws March 27, 2023 Page 5 of 5