The Columbus City Council is seeking residents of the city of Columbus or the Bartholomew County area who are interested in serving on the Columbus Human Rights Commission. The commission’s 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).
Commissioners are appointed by the Columbus City Council for three-year terms and serve without pay. The city council is seeking candidates who represent the diversity of the community and who are willing to devote time and commitment to the goal of making Columbus a fully inclusive community. In addition to enforcement duties, the commissioners’ past and current public education activities include community outreach and event engagement, and liaising among community groups, including LGBTQIA+, disability, and undocumented communities. Newly-appointed commissioners receive six (6) to eight (8) hours of human rights training from commission staff.
Members of the public who would like further information or who would like to express their interest in being considered for a commission appointment should contact the Human Rights Commission office at 812-376-2532 or TDD dial 711 to connect to a Relay Indiana. 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 humanrights@columbus.in.gov. A detailed list of Commissioner Duties and Responsibilities is also available upon request prior to application. Questionnaires should be returned to the Commission office in City Hall or emailed to humanrights@columbus.in.gov by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13.
Applicants will be reviewed by Frank Miller, the city council liaison to the Human Rights Commission. Selected applicants will be personally notified to schedule an in-person interview. Interested persons should be aware that there are vacancies at this time, applicants are currently being interviewed, and any additional questionnaires received will be held and considered for future vacancies. Commissioners serve three-year terms beginning in April.
