March 10, 2020
Media Contacts:
Mark Miller, Administrator, Office of Public Information, 410-313-2022
Yolanda F. Sonnier, Administrator, Office of Human Rights, 410-313-6430
Application deadline is Tuesday, March 31, 2020
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball is seeking adult and student applicants to serve on the Human Rights Commission. Adult voting members serve five-year terms, whereas student non-voting members serve one-year terms from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, March 31, 2020.
“On the Howard County Human Rights Commission, residents will have the opportunity to help us seek out and address discrimination, reduce hate and encourage civility," said Ball. "If you are passionate about engaging in finding solutions that improve our community and reflect our shared Howard County values of inclusion, equality and compassion for all, I encourage you to take this opportunity and apply."
Established in 1969, the Commission is composing of 11 adult members and one student member. The Commission is tasked with recommending a civil rights policy to the County Executive and the County Council; may conduct surveys and studies concerning human rights conditions and problems; and has the authority to file a complaint when there is reason to believe a pattern or practice of discrimination exists.
To be eligible for consideration, candidates must be a Howard County resident, 18 years or older for adults and under the age of 18 for students, and able to attend meetings on third Thursday of each month from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Community Resources Campus, 9820 Patuxent Woods Drive in Columbia.
Applicants should send a resume and brief letter detailing their desire to serve on the Commission to Kimberly Pruim via by email to [email protected] or by mail to: Howard County Government, Office of the County Executive, Attn: Kimberly Pruim, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043. The names of eligible applicants will be submitted to the County Executive for approval and then to the County Council for confirmation.
In Howard County, it is illegal to discriminate against an individual based on their race, creed, religion, disability, color, sex, national origin, age, occupation, marital status, political opinion, sexual orientation, personal appearance, familial status, source of income, or gender identity.
For more information on the Human Rights Commission, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/Departments/County-Administration/Human-Rights/Boards-and-Commissions or contact Chaunta Taylor with the County’s Office of Human Rights at 410-313-6460 or via email [email protected].