Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Civil Rights topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Marion Civil Rights Commission outlines outreach push and minority‑business data project
Summary
The Marion Civil Rights Commission reported it is at full capacity, plans targeted outreach and a new minority‑owned business data project, and aims to shorten response times to complaints, the commission chair told city council.
Renee Forsyth Christie, chair of the Marion Civil Rights Commission, updated the Marion City Council on the commission’s work and priorities Thursday evening, saying the panel has reached full membership and is turning to outreach and data collection this year.
The commission “is at full strength of 9 commissioners and excited to get to work on our strategic plan and our newly adopted outreach plan,” Christie said. She told the council the outreach plan focuses on education and data collection, and that a work group will begin defining scope and parameters for a minority‑owned business data project.
The commission said it will deepen ties with the Marion Public Library and increase event presence in Marion, including City Showcase and Pride in Marion. Christie said the group plans an outreach event, in partnership with other organizations, to explain what constitutes a hate crime and how victims or witnesses should respond.
Council members responded positively to the report, with one member saying increased visibility at local events “is going to be education in itself for the community.” The commission said it also wants to shorten the time it takes to respond to incidents and public queries and is developing a communications toolbox to support commissioners when representing the commission in public settings.
The presentation was informational; no council action was taken. The commission said it will return with updates next year and will launch the minority‑owned business data effort after the current scoping work group completes its recommendations.
The commission’s update followed two proclamations the council read earlier in the meeting recognizing the Week of the Young Child and Fair Housing Month, which commissioners and local partners accepted at the dais.
The Civil Rights Commission’s stated priorities for the year are outreach, data collection on minority‑owned businesses, and faster incident response and communications.
