Hamden Human Rights & Relations Commission (HRRC)

(revised August 2007)

Commissioners

Louis DiLella
Marcia Smith Glasper
Wanda Harris
Abdul-Majid Hasan
Debra J. James
Dorna Stover
Martha Walker
Steven F. Wilson
Graziella Zinn, Chair
Sallie Lowry, Clerk

Meetings

Human Rights and Relations Commission will hold its regular-scheduled meetings for calendar Year 2008 on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm. All meetings convene in the Parks & Recreation Department’s conference room located at Hamden Government Center, 2750 Dixwell Avenue, 06518.
January 10, 2008
February 14, 2008
March 13, 2008
April 10, 2008
May 8, 2008
June 12, 2008
July 10, 2008
August 14, 2008
September 11, 2008
October 9, 2008
November 13, 2008
December 11, 2008

Mission and Purpose

The mission of the Commission on Human Rights and Relations is to facilitate respect, discourse, education, and understanding in the Hamden community relating to the backgrounds and identities of its members, and to eradicate prejudice and discrimination on arbitrary bases. (Revised April 10, 2003)

The purposes of the Commission are as follows:

1. To foster mutual understanding and respect among all members of the community.

2. To encourage equality of treatment and respect among all members of the community.

Establishment Ordinance

Par. 33.135 Establishment

1. The Commission on Human Rights and Relations shall consist of nine members, all electors of the Town, to be appointed by the Mayor, subject to approval of the Legislative Council. Not more than six members of the Commission shall be of the same political party. Commission members shall serve without compensation.

2. Of the nine Commissioners first appointed, three Commissioners shall be appointed for a term of three years; three Commissioners shall be appointed for a term of two years; and three Commissioners shall be appointed for a term of one year. Thereafter, all Commissioners shall be appointed for a term of three years. In the event of a vacancy in the Commission’s membership, the succeeding member shall be appointed to serve the unexpired term of the vacating member. The Mayor may remove any member for cause, which shall include failure to attend, without reasonable excuse, three meetings during any calendar year. (Ord. 433, passed 12 Mar 2001)

Long Term Goals

1. The HRRC will continue to educate ourselves and others on the housing situation in Hamden and for now keep focusing on other ways of supporting adequate affordable housing in Hamden. 


2. The HRRC wants to take a careful look at Hamden’s affirmative action situation and get answers to such questions as “Is there an Affirmative Action Person? What is the history of affirmative action in our Town? Do we have a plan for affirmative action? Do we need to be working on one?”

Resources

United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Past Events

2002

Unity Dialogues (Fall 2002 to Fall 2003 Sponsored)
Black Notables (Cosponsored)
Albert Schweitzer Institute Community Fair (Participated)

2003

“A Presentation on Muslims: Their Faith, Art, Architecture, and History” by Zebun Noormohamed (Sponsored)
Black Notables (Cosponsored)
Albert Schweitzer Institute Community Fair (Participated)
Water Panel at Quinnipiac University (Cosponsored)
Human Rights Panel at Quinnipiac University (Cosponsored)

2004

Quinnipiac University Senior Intern Kristy McNamara’s research paper “Comparative Analysis of Human Rights Commissions Throughout the State of Connecticut in Defining an Effective Commission” Hamden Notables (Cosponsored)
CenterEdge Metropatterns Town Forum (Cosponsored)

2005

Resolution of support by Hamden Legislative Council for the U.S. Conference of Mayors Resolution for the Commencement of Negotiations on the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. Endorsed. (Sponsored)
Affordable Housing Forum “Spotlight on Housing: Reality and Myths” (Sponsored)