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Human Rights Commission approves minutes, adds member and reorganizes subcommittees; announces local events
Summary
The Moorhead Human Rights Commission approved last month’s minutes by voice vote, welcomed new member Dr. Jennifer Aranda, reorganized subcommittees (Education & Outreach, Events, Awards) and shared upcoming community events and retirements.
The Moorhead Human Rights Commission approved minutes from its previous meeting by voice vote at the start of the March 18 session. A motion to approve was made and seconded; the chair called for the ayes and moved on when no opposition was raised.
The commission welcomed a new member, Dr. Jennifer Aranda, who introduced herself as an employee of the University of Minnesota Extension and cofounder of the Onyx Collective, a group working with rural Black residents in greater Minnesota. “I am Doctor Jennifer Aranda. My professional life, I work for University of Minnesota Extension… and I am a mom and an advocate and cofounder of the Onyx Collective,” she said.
Captain Swenson of the Moorhead Police Department provided a brief personnel update: Deputy Chief Torrey Jacobson recently retired and Chief Shannon Monroe is scheduled to retire March 28. Swenson recognized both officers for approximately 30 years of service and highlighted their community-engagement work.
Commissioners reorganized subcommittees. The body now lists three subcommittees: Education & Outreach, Events, and Awards. Commissioners and volunteers volunteered for committees during the meeting: Education & Outreach includes Anna Rajesh, Siham Mehdi and a volunteer Marissa Uhring; Events includes Sebastian McDougal and Dr. Jennifer Aranda; Awards includes Trenton Garrets and the chair. Commissioners discussed quorum rules for subcommittee meetings and expressed a need for one additional Education & Outreach member.
Announcements and upcoming events shared at the meeting included: - 34th annual powwow on Saturday, April 5 (students K–12 and elders free; adults $5), produced by The Woodlands and High Plains, held at Concordia (as announced). - Global Market Day on Tuesday, April 8 at the Omnium/Income Center (food vendors and local vendors; event details on Facebook). - NAMI-Fargo–Moorhead’s “Mental Health Day in the Park” on Saturday, April 26 at Viking Ship Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring more than a dozen local mental-health organizations. - MSUM restorative-justice conference in April (date posted on MSUM events pages).
Commissioners also discussed planning considerations for Juneteenth and summer events and encouraged the commission to coordinate with partner groups to secure speakers and event logistics.
No other formal votes on ordinances, contracts or resolutions were recorded at the March 18 meeting.
