The Columbus City Council is seeking applicants who are Columbus or Bartholomew County residents who are interested in serving on the Columbus Human Rights Commission.
The primary responsibility is to enforce the city’s anti-discrimination ordinance which prohibits discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodation, credit, and education on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age (over 40), disability, veteran status, and familial status (in housing only).
Commission staff also provide education to the community, free training to area businesses and organizations, free technical assistance to residents and organizations alike, and also liaise with various community groups on issues integral to equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Commissioners are appointed by the city council for three-year terms and serve without pay. Appointment terms begin in April of each year. The city council is seeking candidates who represent the diversity of the community, who are willing to devote time and commitment to the goal of making Columbus a fully-inclusive community, and those who have familiarity with, either personal or professional, with human and civil rights-related themes.
In addition to the duties of enforcement, the commissioners’ past and current public education activities include involvement in an essay and art contest in the schools, an annual dinner for the community, and liaising between community groups such as the LGTBQIA+, disability, and undocumented communities.
Newly-appointed commissioners receive six to eight hours of human rights training from commission staff.
Persons interested in applying for this volunteer position will be provided an applicant questionnaire, also available electronically on the website https://www.columbus.in.gov/human-rights/volunteer-opportunities/ or by request to [email protected]. A detailed list of Commissioner Duties and Responsibilities is also available upon request prior to application. Questionnaires should be returned (or submitted electronically) by Wednesday, March 8, by 5 p.m. All received questionnaires are held and considered for current and future vacancies. Selected applicants will be personally notified to schedule an in-person interview.
