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. . . .~ Human Rights Commission Minutes May 10, 2005 Present: Thelma McKenzie, Chair, Phillip Crump, Janet Delmore, Scott Higbee, Ann Kenney, Steve Smith, Bob Venters Guest: Marion Helland Staff: Carolyn Curti Chair Thelma McKenzie called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. She introduced Marion Helland, member of the Golden Valley Human Rights Commission and the State League of Human Rights Commissions. Oath of Office Scott Higbee, Ann Kenney and Bob Venters recited the Oaths of Office and were sworn in as new members to the Human Rights Commission. Approve Minutes Commissioners approved the minutes for the February and March meetings. New Commissioner Workshop Marion Helland provided an overview of the roles and responsibilities of Human Rights Commissions. Most Commissions were an outgrowth of the Civil Rights Movement. She said many new Commissioners ask themselves what role they can play on a Commission. She said serving on a commission requires a time commitment. Helland recommends each Commissioner look at his/her job skills and see how those can be applied to the HRC mission. She asked Commissioners how they view themselves -- advocates or activists. She recommends that a Commissioner always do outreach and talk about human rights. Helland distributed several pieces of literature with suggestions on how to reach the schools, newspapers, the Legislature and others. She showed examples of taking the human rights message to the community through flyers, stickers, posters, bookmarks and other ideas. Helland explained how each part of our world is inter-related so what happens in the schools, business world, media, places of worship etc. impacts all other parts of our lives. Human Rights advocacy must reach all parts of our lives. Helland spoke about her experience advocating for human rights. She traveled to the South to assist black Americans to register to vote. She talked about her experience as an elementary 1