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Human Rights commissioners plan to reactivate “We See You” community group with formal and informal sessions
Summary
The Human Rights Commission’s We See You (VCU) work group plans to rebuild community participation through alternating formal planning meetings and informal gatherings to attract community partners and relaunch engagement work, while staff cautioned that full work-group status requires staff capacity to meet public-meeting rules.
Members of the Human Rights Commission discussed plans to restart the “We See You” (VCU) effort and to broaden outreach to community partners at their Jan. 29 meeting.
Commissioners said the VCU group has been less active recently and suggested a two-track approach: more formal, action-focused meetings every other month and informal “get-together” sessions on alternate months to make participation less intimidating for community groups. The informal gatherings would aim to gather ideas and encourage groups to attend the more formal meetings when needed for planning and decision-making.
Commissioners noted that the commission previously recommended a multicultural center in an earlier VCU report, but that current capacity constraints might limit what the group can accomplish immediately. Staff reminded commissioners that formal work groups require substantial staff support: posting notices, preparing agendas, recording meetings and performing follow up. Because of public-meeting requirements, staff said an active, formal work group requires more FTE than OECE currently has, and that an advisory or ad hoc structure can be used for lower-resource engagement.
Commissioners and staff discussed practical options to preserve community connection while complying with meeting rules, including lowering meeting frequency, hosting informal public gatherings in community-accessible locations, and using an advisory format for some activities. Commissioners asked staff for a calendar of volunteer opportunities tied to community events so commissioners can help staff outreach and tabling.
Ending
The VCU co-chairs said they will lead rebuilding efforts and that staff will work to clarify whether the body will appear as a formal work group or an advisory/ad-hoc body in the upcoming work plan submitted to council.
