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Conference

14th Annual Community Strategic Training Initiative
Friday, July 30 - Sunday, August 1
Sponsored by Western States Center
LOCATION: Reed College, Portland Oregon.
Info Amanda at (503)228-8866
or Western States Center WEBSITE

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THE HUMAN RACE: RUN, WALK OR ROLL FOR WHRTF
SATURDAY, JUNE 12: check in at 9 am.

The Human Race is a fun 5k/10k walk or run sponsored by Whatcom Volunteer Center and local businesses to raise funds for Whatcom County nonprofits. (LIKE YOUR HUMAN RIGHTS TASK FORCE!) Individuals collect donations for the nonprofit of their choice.

Check in at Maritime Heritage Park at 9 a.m. The "Race" starts at 10 a.m. The celebration culminates with a picnic lunch, music, and prizes for best times, most money raised, largest teams, pets costumes, etc.

BICYCLISTS: NEW THIS YEAR! This year the annual Coast Millennium Trail bike ride will give Whatcom County's many avid bicyclists a terrific opportunity to support the Whatcom Volunteer Center and non-profit organizations of their choice while enjoying a scenic ride along Whatcom's beautiful coast. Bicyclists have two options:
1. A group of bicyclists will depart for a 30 mile ride from Blaine's Marine Park at about 9:00 am, riding on the historic Plover ferry to Semiahmoo and continuing along the Coast Millennium Trail via Hovander Homestead and the Nooksack River to arrive at Bellingham's Maritime Heritage Park at about 11:30 or noon for festivities, music, prizes, and food.
2. Families and trail bicyclists will depart from Larrabee State Park at about 10:30 am for a 10 mile off-road bike ride to arrive at the festivities Maritime Heritage Park at about 11:30 or noon.
Pre-registration for the Coast Millennium Trail bike ride is required to ensure transportation shuttle to the starting points.

You can pick up a Human Race registration packet at:
Whatcom Volunteer Center
Village Books
the YMCA,
local libraries and at other locations around Whatcom County
For more details, contact:
Whatcom Volunteer Center (
411 York Street, Bellingham, 734-3055, info@whatcomvolunteer.org).

Call 733-2233 if you would like to join the WHRTF team.

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WHRTF SUMMER MEMBERSHIP MEETING AND POTLUCK
Thursday, June 10, 6-9pm
6:00 pm Potluck dinner
7:00 pm speaker: Satpal Sidhu
Please Join us at the Fairhaven Park Picnic Shelter for a potluck and membership meeting
Bring your favorite dish to share.The potluck will begin at 6:00.

At 7:00, Satpal Sidhu, a leader in the local Sikh community, will speak on the current climate in Whatcom County in relation to recent events locally and globally.

Membership meeting and board elections will follow.
LOCATION:
Bellingham
Fairhaven Park Picnic Shelter
Info 733-2233.

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Fourth Corner Pride Festival
Sunday, June 6: 12:00 to 5:00 pm.
LOCATION: Bloedel-Donovan Park Pavillion
Info 733-1500

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Want to Get REALLY Involved?
Become a WHRTF Board Member!

The Task Force is currently recruiting nominees for 3 board positions.

If you would like to serve on the board or wish nominate someone to serve, please contact the WHRTF office by June 3rd
       email: whrtf@whrtf.org
       phone: 360-733-2233
       mail: PO Box 2191, Bellingham, 98227).
Please provide your name and contact info, your nominee’s name and contact info, along with a brief written biography of the nominee.

The Board of Directors is charged by the general membership with guiding the Task Force in upholding its mission. The Board consists of eleven members. Board members are elected to terms of two years, with six positions filled one year and five the next.

There are three open positions on the Board for 2004-05. Elections for three open board positions will be held at the Summer Membership Meeting on June 10 (see above). Board members attend one board meeting a month and may serve on various committees.

Please consider this opportunity to further connect with your fellows in our growing, increasingly diverse community. The challenges are great in our world today, but the rewards are even greater.

Current Board Members:
Geneva Blake (returning)
Joe Deeny (departing)
Lisa Fox (returning)
Nate Johnson (returning)
Dennis Lane (returning)
Ceci Lopez (returning)
Julie Mauermann (departing)
Berns Portervint (returning)
Barbara Rofkar (returning)
Belle Shalom (returning)
One position vacant

For more information, please contact the WHRTF office: 733-2233 or whrtf@whrtf.org.

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Asian Pacific American Community Summit.
Celebrating Unity and Civic Involvement
Saturday, May 29: 10 am to 5:30 pm
LOCATION:Tacoma Dome Arena.
info@apasummit.org
or http://students.washington.edu/vasd/apasummit/

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WHRTF Book Group
Tuesday, May 25: 7:00 PM meets on the fourth Tuesday of most months, to share perspectives on readings selected by the group. The group is open to all; anyone can jump in at any time. The more perspectives the better.
We will continue our discussion of The Alchemy of Race and Rights by Patricia J. Williams.
YOU CAN ORDER THIS BOOK AND OTHERS ON OUR BOOKS PAGE [HERE]
For meeting location and other information, please contact Belle at 671-0631

A CLOSER WALK, A film about global AIDS
A Film by Robert Bilheimer, 2003
Wednesday, May 26, 2004, 6:30pm
WWU Fraser 4

View the website about the film.
Narrated by Glenn Close and Will Smith, A CLOSER WALK presents a definitive portrayal of humankind's confrontation with the global AIDS epidemic. This stunning film explores the intricate relationship between health, dignity, and human rights, and shows how the harsh realities of AIDS in the world are an expression of how the world really is.
Interviews include the Dalai Lama, Kofi Annan, and Bono, combined with stories, portraits, and vignettes of children, women, and men living with AIDS on four continents.
A CLOSER WALK tells us that if we act with compassion and conviction "if we walk the walk" we can put an end to the worst plague in world history.

All Proceeds benefit Slum Doctor Programme
$5 Suggested donation
LOCATION: WWU Fraser 4 (off Red Square, near Miller Hall and the Humanities Building)

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LAW and DIVERSITY DAY for High School Students
Saturday, May 8, 2004, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Sponsored by the Law and Diversity Program of Fairhaven College, Western Washington University
No cost for the event. The deadline for registration is May 5, 2004. (see below)

In 1991, Fairhaven College developed the Law and Diversity Program (LDP), a rigorous two-year interdisciplinary course of study for upper-level undergraduate students aimed at developing skills and knowledge necessary for law school success. The program welcomes students whose ethnic, social or economic community is underrepresented in the legal profession and who have the potential to act as leaders and role models in their community.

The Law and Diversity Day is an annual event to introduce high school students to the world of law.
We particularly welcome sophomore, junior and senior level high school students from diverse backgrounds, including students of color, students with disabilities, students who speak English as a second language, gay and lesbian students, students who are the first generation in their family to go to college, and students from various socioeconomic backgrounds.

The day includes a mock university class legal class, discussions with multicultural students, and information on how to apply to college.
There is no cost for the program and lunch is provided. Students who successfully complete the day will receive a certificate.

Advisers, teachers and community leaders who work with high school students are also invited to attend the Law and Diversity Day at no cost.

TO REGISTER: please contact Sally Wood at (360) 650-2349 or e-mail her at Sally.Wood@wwu.edu.
Enrollment is limited to 25 high school students so please have students register early.
The deadline for registration is May 5, 2004.

LOCATION: Fairhaven College, WWU

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4th Annual HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL
Thursday, April 29th and Friday, April 30th: 6 & 9 PM
Flag Wars: Class, Racism, and Real Estate

Flag Wars: 90 minutes, U.S.A., 2003
Director/Producer Linde Goode Bryant and Laura Poitras.

Flag Wars is an award-winning account of the pain and politics of gentrification in Columbus, Ohio. Class, racism, perception, real estate, and homophobia are examined in this thought-provoking film which chronicles economic competition for housing in Columbus between two historically oppressed groups, the black community and the mostly white gay community, over a four year period.
Flag Wars presents a fascinating case study of differences in perception. Where realtors and buyers see run-down homes, black residents see evidence of institutional racism that has steered resources away from this community.
Flag Wars tells a story which could be told in many cities in America, where a once stable working class community of color, now aging and economically depressed, is in danger of losing control of their neighborhoods as wealthier home buyers gentrify block by block.

Speakers
Thursday, April 29th, 8 PM: Bill Lynne, Professor of English, WWU. Bill Lyne is also the co-editor, with Vernon Johnson, of Walkin’ the Talk, An Anthology of African American Studies.

Friday, April 30th, 8 PM: Debra Salazar, Professor of Political Science, WWU
LOCATION: Pickford Dream Space
1318 Bay Street, just two doors up the street from Stuart's
FULL SCHEDULE AND DETAILS: WHATCOM FILM ORGANIZTION

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“HATE CRIMES FORUM - How Can the Community Respond?”
Thursday, April 29, 2004 - 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Location: Whatcom County Courthouse, 311 Grand Avenue, Council Chambers, Bellingham

Sponsor: Washington State Human Rights Commission

Goal: To learn how communities can effectively galvanize in reaction to hate crimes. The Commission is inviting key members of the Whatcom County community, from many walks of life, to share their experiences with us and with each other. They are invited to teach the lessons learned; what worked and what did not work. The Commission can in turn use its statewide reach to help other communities learn quickly and effectively how to cope with such problems in their own communities and proactively prevent such problems from occurring in the future.

The Commission conducts community meetings in cities throughout the state of Washington. The Commission uses these meetings as an opportunity to hear from the general public, human and civil rights organizations, local governments, educators, community leaders, activists, and others. The meetings are an effort to establish productive partnerships with the community to further the Commission’s mission to prevent and eliminate discrimination in the state of Washington.

Members of the Board of Commissioners are: Charlotte Coker, Chair, Spokane; Ellis Casson, Seattle; Dallas Barnes, Pasco; J. Reiko Callner, Olympia; and Ben Cabildo, Spokane. The Executive Director of the Commission is Marc Brenman.

The public is invited to attend this meeting. Anyone with questions or accommodation needs should contact Tanya Calahan, Clerk of the Commission. Ms. Calahan can be reached at (360) 753-4876 or 1-800-233-3247. The meeting is being held in a barrier free location.

PLEASE VISIT US ON THE INTERNET AT: www.hum.wa.gov

Tanya Y. Calahan
Executive Assistant to the Commissioners & Clerk of the Commission
WA State Human Rights Commission
711 South Capitol Way, Suite 402
P.O. Box 42490
Olympia, WA 98504-2490
360-753-4876
tcalahan@hum.wa.gov

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WHRTF BOOK CLUB
Apr. 27th Tuesday
We'll be reading The Alchemy of Race by Patricia Williams.
For location or other info or to be on email list call 671-0631
LOCATION: Damani's?

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4th Annual HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL
Friday, April 16 to Friday April 30

The Whatcom Film Association's Fourth Annual Bellingham Human Rights Film Festival is underway at the Pickford Dream Space, 1318 Bay Street, just two doors up the street from Stuart's!

There are some really fabulous films showing and speakers to provide further insight into the human rights situations that exist today.

On opening night, we are showing the movie The Fix, a film about the downtown Eastside in Vancouver, BC. We will have the former mayor of Vancouver, Philip Owen and activist Ann Livingston speak that night. On April 18th we will be showing a "sneak preview" of the film "The Corporation". A film about corporate greed made by the directors and producers of Manufacturing Consent.

Please spread the word about this film festival and support alternative films, particularly those about human rights, in Bellingham

LOCATION: Pickford Dream Space
1318 Bay Street, just two doors up the street from Stuart's
FULL SCHEDULE AND DETAILS: WHATCOM FILM ORGANIZTION

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DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA, Then and Now
A Teacher Training and Student Enrichment Workshop
Friday, April 2, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (includes lunch)
Facilitated by Mako Nakagawa

The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) through its Pacific Northwest District Office received a grant from the Washington Civil Liberties Public Education Fund to put on two teacher training and student enrichment workshops, one of which is scheduled in Bellingham.

This free workshop, titled Democracy in America: Then and Now, will examine issues of governance, democratic ideals, Constitutional principles, the conduct of government during times of crisis, and the delicate balance between national security and individual rights presented against the backdrop of Japanese American internment during WWII and the treatment of those perceived to be of Middle Eastern descent post 9-11.

Participation is limited to 50-60 people. Priority will be given to K-12 teachers and high school students. Clock Hours from ESD 189 or Continuing Education credit from Seattle University will be available for teachers.
Registration information:
PHONE: please contact Carmen at the Center for Educational Pluralism 650-382
EMAIL: cep@wwu.edu.
Location:
Garden Street Family Center, Bellingham, WA

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