Item 2H: Interim Appointment to HRC

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1. What experience, training, and/or qualifications do you have for this particular board or commission? I retired in 2003 as an Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Connecticut. Over the course of 32 years at the university I taught courses and wrote on such topics as structured social inequality; the intersections of race, class, and gender; racism and U.S. social policy; and, human rights. I was a founder and the first director (from 2001-03) of the university's interdisciplinary human rights minor. I also served on numerous university committees dealing with diversity, affirmative action, and equity issues. Off campus I was involved in anti-racism, economic justice, and welfare rights work at the local community and state levels. My book-length publications include Welfare Racism: Playing the Race Card Against America's Poor (2001); Social Problems: A Critical Approach (2004); and, When Welfare Disappears: The Case for Economic Human Rights (2006). The writing in which I am currently engaged deals with the implementation of international human rights in the United States, particularly at the local municipal level. Here in Eugene, I serve as vice-president of the board of directors of Amigos Multicultural Services Center, an organization that advocates and promotes respect for immigrant rights as human rights. I also serve Amigos as executive director in a volunteer capacity. In addition, I am an active participant in, and on the board of directors of, People and Animals Who Serve, a local organization that provides emotional support to vulnerable populations using specially trained therapy dog teams. My therapy dog and I visit with at-risk school children. I have been a community volunteer with the Eugene Human Rights Commission for three years. In this capacity I have served as a Human Rights Support System Advocate, a member of the Commission's Advocate Response Team, and co-chair of the Commission's Human Rights City Subcommittee. I have also served as an appointed member of the Lane County Task Force on Human Rights, whose recommendations to county commissioners led to the creation of the new Lane County Commission on the Advancement of Human Rights. Besides my current volunteer work for the Eugene Human Rights Commission, I participate as an invited community representative on the City of Eugene's Diversity Advisory Council, an interdepartmental group of City staff members responsible for crafting the city government's first Diversity and Equity Strategic Plan. 2. What specific contribution do you hope to make to the board or commission? Why do you want to become a member? In 2006 I approached the Eugene Human Rights Commission to propose that it explore ways in which the City could incorporate international human rights principles and standards across city government operations. The Commission enthusiastically endorsed this proposal and has incorporated moving forward with the "human rights city" concept in its two most recent work plans. I have been a resource person for the Commission on its Eugene Human Rights City Project for over two years, volunteering my knowledge and time to help commissioners and Human Rights Program staff members kindle conversations about and increase awareness of the human rights city concept. Our efforts have been very fruitful. The idea and vision of Eugene becoming a "Human Rights City" has progressively gained traction within City government, among local social justice organizations, and in the broader Eugene community. I want to work with commissioners, Human Rights Program staff, and community allies in helping the Eugene Human Rights Commission successfully achieve all of its work plan goals. However, if appointed to the Commission I will have a special interest in the work plan goal of implementing the human rights framework in Eugene city government and in settings across the community. NOTE: To allow a large number of citizens to serve on boards and commissions, the City Council policy allows individuals to serve on only one standing board or commission at a time. A current member of a board/commission who is a successful applicant for another board/commission will be required to choose between the two appointments. This policy does not apply to ad hoc committees or departmental committees or positions that are designated for members of specific advisory group ( e.g. the Human Rights Commission member assigned to the Police Commission CITY COUNCIL POLICY REGARDING REAPPOINTMENT TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS 1. Members of city advisory groups may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms when the length of the term is three years or more. Individuals serving terms less than three years will be limited to a total of six consecutive years of service. 2. The deadline for applications from incumbents is the same as the deadline for new applications. 3. An individual may reapply for appointment to a board or commission after at least a one year hiatus from service. 4. City of Eugene employees may not serve on City of Eugene boards or commissions except as specifically provided by the City Code, or as required to perform official duties. Information submitted on this application is public information. The information provided herein is true and complete. A false or misleading statement may be cause for elimination from consideration. Signature of Applicant _______________________________________ Date April 3, 2009 Z:\CMO\2009 Council Agendas\M090413\S0904132H-attA.doc