Human Relations Commission Members Needed

Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz today asked members of the Toledo community to consider applying to become a member of the newly-created Human Relations Commission.

“Thirteen commission members are needed to serve the community in this very important role,” the mayor said.

Anyone interested should submit a resume and a letter of interest to the mayor’s office at mayor@toledo.oh.gov.

Membership as defined in the Toledo City Council ordinance creating the commission is as follows:

1. The Commission shall consist of fourteen members. Thirteen members shall be citizens appointed by the mayor and subject to confirmation by council in accordance with the composition requirements set forth herein. The remaining member shall be a member of council who shall sit on the commission in an ex-officio capacity. The council member of the commission shall be the chairman of the council committee with oversight of the commission as determined by the president and members of council. The councilmember of the commission shall be non-voting. Initially the composition of the thirteen citizen members of the commission will include four members appointed to one-year terms, four members appointed to two-year terms, and five members will be appointed to three-year terms. Members appointed after the initial members are appointed shall be appointed for three-year terms.
2. To the greatest extent practicable, the commission shall be comprised of members who represent the racial and ethnic diversity of the men and women of Toledo, and who have demonstrated in their words and actions a sensitivity to the need to end discrimination and ensure equal opportunity for all. In order to ensure representation of a broad range of community perspectives, the commission will include one labor representative, one religious affiliation representative, one education representative, one business or economic development representative, one youth representative, one member of the legal community, one neighborhood representative, one LGBT representative, and five at-large appointments. The at-large appointments include the four members and the board chairman who make up an executive committee.

Its mission states: “The Human Relations Commission shall endeavor to support a safe, energetic, and livable city. The commission will support residents working to overcome prejudice and build mutual respect.”