By Lisa Carolin
During a Zoom meeting conference call July 1, the Chelsea Human Rights Commission discussed the possibility of teaming up with the Chelsea District Library to collaborate on a program on racism.
The HRC’s 2020 Plan includes addressing the topics of bullying, racism, and diversity and the community climate. Although things are still up in the air due to Covid 19 for doing any in person programming later this year, the HRC will investigate partnering with the library to welcome speakers on the aforementioned topics.
HRC members also discussed becoming a member of GARE (Government Alliance on Race and Equity). HRC member Joanne Ladio learned that for a jurisdiction of Chelsea’s size to have its own GARE membership, it would cost $1,000 per year, something the HRC won’t consider at this time.
Susan Morrel-Samuels, chairman of the Chelsea HRC, addressed the policy review HRC members have been involved in for the last few months. She said that she learned from Chelsea City Manager John Hanifan that the HRC could add a nondiscrimination policy to all appropriate policies, something HRC members unanimously supported.
The HRC’s next meeting will be on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 6 p.m.
Many thanks to Susan and the HRC for their careful attention to racism, diversity and nondiscrimination. Very proud of Chelsea to establish the HRC.