Board
Nominations Sought
~a message from the Vice Chair of the WHRTF
The Board of Directors of the Whatcom Human Rights Task Force consists
of eleven members. These eleven folks have volunteered their time,
energy, and skills to help guide the organization.
The
Board members are elected to terms of two years, with six positions
one year and five the next. Elections are held at the June quarterly
meeting of the general membership. In 2003 that meeting is scheduled
for Thursday, June 19. 2003
The
Board is charged, by the general membership, with guiding the Task
Force in upholding the mission statement, "to promote and protect
the rights of all members of the human family. Those rights include
the right to be treated with dignity and to live without fear of
violence, intimidation or discrimination…"
The
Board members work to have the Task Force fulfill its commitment
to: "Educate the community about tolerance, honor diversity and
identify commonalties. Organize unified, non-violent response
to those who condone human rights abuses. Provide support and
referral for victims of bias crimes. Monitor malicious harassment,
community and government responses."
At this time I would like to ask all members to nominate fellow members
to these very important, challenging and rewarding positions.
Please consider this opportunity to further connect with your fellows
in our growing diverse community. The challenges are great in our
world today, but the rewards are even greater.
Please respond ASAP.
Please give us your name and contact information along with your
nominee's information. We will then contact you and them.
Sincerely,
Joe
Deeny
Vice-Chair, Board of Directors
Contact, Board Nominating Committee
WHRTF P.O. Box 2191, Bhm., WA 98227-2191
360-733-2233
nominees@whrtf.org
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FUNDRAISING
REPORT
GRANT ACTIVITY
This
year, Task Force activities are assisted by the support of two grants.
The first one, for $1500 is through an organization called RESIST
from Massachusetts, which is dedicated to supporting non-profit
organizations dedicated to increasing their capacity and effectiveness
in social justice work. This money allowed the Task Force to co-sponsor
a series of diversity training workshops with the Whatcom County
Commission for Children and Youth. In addition, a gathering will
be held to bring together local organizations working on human rights
and civil rights issues to define ways to assist and support each
other's efforts.
The
second grant, for $5000, funded through A Territory Resource, is
earmarked to support the general operation of the Task Force. ATR
is a Seattle based, regional foundation, whose donors are dedicated
to assist social justice organizations in their work.They were very
impressed with the local involvement and visibility of the Task
Force and wanted to further our stability in the community.
MEMBERSHIP
DRIVE
Our
annual membership dirve was kicked off at the 2003 Human Rights
Awards Banquet. Active memberships form the financial and practical
foundation of this organization. Please consider joining us to support
human rights in Whatcom County.
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WHATCOM
CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT
CASE UPDATES
1.
The WCRP helped a woman working at the Port go through the porcess
to get benefits. This has been resolved.
2. The WCRP got a man in jail medical tratment. He is now suing
the county for not providing it.
3. A case involving race-based harassment at the Carpet Exchange
has gone to mediation.
4. Deposition and regotiations are in process for a case against
Wal-Mart for assaulting and detaing a woman.
5. A case against the Bellingham Maor and Police Department concerning
the arrest of people photographing a protest is in litigation.
Breean
Beggs has recuited Larry Hildas, an attorney, and Neal Nicolay has
been crecuiting lawyers.
CIVIL
RIGHTS PROJECT SCHEDULES A TRAINING FOR NEW VOLUNTEERS!
The
Whatcom Civil Rights Project (WCRP) has scheduled a training session
for intake volunteers in July from 9 am - noon at Fairhaven College.
The training, conducted by local attorneys and Fairhaven College
Law and Diversity Program faculty, will prepare volunteers to conduct
intake interviews for the Civil Rights Project.
The
Whatcom Civil Rights Project was founded in the fall of 2001 as
a joint endeavor of LAW Advocates, the Whatcom Human Rights Task
Force, and the Law and Diversity Program of Fairhaven College, Western
Washington University. WCRP provides legal assistance and advocacy
for victims of discrimination and civil rights abuse in the greater
Whatcom County region.
Anyone
who is interested in volunteering with the Civil Rights Project
is welcome to attend. For more information, please contact Dustin
Till at (360) 671-6079 ext. 15
or wcrp@whatcomcivilrightsproject.org.
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