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<br />> <br /> <br />ACTIVITIES/P~OJECTS FOR LOCAL HUeVu~ RIGHTS COMMISSIONS <br /> <br />Mary Hedges <br />Minoesota Department of Human Rights <br /> <br />1. Monitor newspapers for discriminatory employment and housing ads. <br /> <br />One or more persons can be selected from your commission to monitor <br />newspaper ads. (You may want to rotate this responsibility monthly or <br />yearly.) The Minnesota Department of Human Rights has developed form <br />letters to be mailed to employers and property owners from your local <br />commission to notify the employer/owner of the illegal ad and informing <br />the employer/owner t~at Minnesota Department Human Rights or your city <br />commission can be called with any questions about non-discriminatory ads. <br />~ <br /> <br />2. Legislative Telephone Tree <br /> <br />Constituent input can make a difference in passing/defeating legislation. <br />Every year there is legislation on human rights issues, ranging from <br />amending the Minnesota Human Rights Act to eliminating the Minnesota <br />Department of Human Rights. Local commission input to legislators has <br />helped save the Minnesota Department of Human Rights in past years, <br />although a for.nalized calling network would make commission efforts much <br />more effective and efficient. Appoint two to three contact persons whose <br />names, addresses, and telephone numbers (both work and home numbers) are <br />provided to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights for immediate contact <br />when last minute iss~es arise at the legislature. The contact person, <br />once notified by Min2esota Department of Human Rights, telephones his/her <br />designated persons, _ho in turn notify their designated persons, etc. The <br />idea is for everyone called in the telephone tree to contact their <br />legislator. Your cocmission can also use your telephone tree for local <br />issues. <br /> <br />3. Monitor Employment Applications <br /> <br />Your commission can ask local employers for employment applications to <br />review and advise employers on changes to avoid discriminatory questions. <br />Minnesota Department of Human Rights has developed a checklist for <br />prohibited pre-employment inquiries. You may want to approach employers <br />in a positive manner, offering this advice as a service to them. <br /> <br />4. Contract Compliance/Affirmative Action Plan <br /> <br />The very energetic commission may want to amend its local human rights <br />ordinance to require larger businesses with city contracts to have a <br />certified affirmative action plan, similar to what is required for state <br />and federal contracts. This project would probably require a staff <br />person, at least part-time. The Minnesota Department of Human Rights is <br />available for technical assistance in developing such a program. <br />.\ <br /> <br />/ <br />i <br />