Lower Makefield HRC approves brochure, prioritizes outreach and recruitment

The Lower Makefield Human Relations Commission voted to approve a public brochure and to prioritize outreach and recruitment following a meeting that included discussion of a countywide leadership event and the commission’s low complaint volumes.

Members said the brochure — intended to explain the commission’s role and how residents can file complaints — should be finalized and placed on the township HRC webpage and printed for community distribution. A member moved to accept the current draft with previously discussed edits; another seconded and the motion passed. The commission instructed staff and volunteers to publish and, to the extent feasible, print the brochure before the next full meeting.

The vote followed an extended discussion about whether the commission is reaching residents who might need its services. Several members noted that few complaints have come directly to the commission and that many discrimination complaints are filed with state or federal agencies such as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission or the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Members proposed using Right-to-Know/Open Records requests to learn how many complaints list Lower Makefield addresses to better gauge local demand.

Commissioners also discussed outreach tactics to increase awareness of the HRC’s existence and services. Suggestions included posting vacancy notices and a QR code on the township website (lmt.org), placing brochures or a staffed table at community events (with Labor Day flagged as a realistic target), using social media channels, and contacting school guidance counselors to recruit a student representative. Members clarified that a student seat is established by ordinance and that there are currently multiple open seats, including at least one student vacancy and at least one alternate position.

Attendees were informed of a Bucks County Human Relations Council leadership collaboration scheduled for July 15 at Bucks County Community College; members said at least one representative would RSVP and report back at a later meeting. The commission also discussed meeting cadence and agreed to consider a follow-up meeting on July 22 to review outcomes from the July 15 event.

The meeting ended after members reaffirmed priorities: finalize and distribute the brochure, pursue targeted outreach to determine whether low complaint counts reflect low incidence or simply low awareness, and work with the board of supervisors to fill open seats so the commission can maintain quorum and responsiveness.