City of Beaverton: Human Resources

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City of Beaverton: Human Resources

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Human Rights Advisory Commission

About the Human Rights Advisory Board

Mission Statement

Promoting mutual understanding and safeguarding the rights of all citizens.

Duties of the Commission

Meeting
  • Promote harmonious intergroup relations within the City of Beaverton by enlisting the cooperation of various racial, religious, and nationality groups; business, community, labor, governmental, fraternal and benevolent associations; educational and other groups.
  • Examine sources of tension and practices of discrimination within the community and acts of prejudice by employees of the City of Beaverton.
  • Perform conciliatory services that do not conflict with the functions of any other government agency or city department.
  • Make recommendations concerning solutions to specific problems of prejudice or discrimination.
  • Recommend to the City Council action, policies, and legislation to be considered by the state and local governments.
  • Make such reports to the City Council as the Council may request.

History

One of Mayor Rob Drake’s ideas for creating a better community environment for the citizens of Beaverton, became a reality, when the City Council passed an ordinance on April 12, 1993 creating the Human Rights Advisory Commission.

The ordinance amended the Beaverton Code creating a nine member commission, which would be demographically representative of the residents of the city. Whenever possible the member appointed by the Mayor would be either employed, reside, or engaged in business in the community.

Commission members were appointed during the month of August 1993 and the first meeting was held on October 4th 1993. At that meeting the commission began the work of developing the bylaws which would govern its operations. This work was completed in December and the City Council approved the bylaws on January 10, 1994.

The general purpose of the commission is to help the citizens and government in the City of Beaverton to achieve the goal of embracing and celebrating diversity, eliminating bigotry, and enhancing a sense of community.

In early 2004 the commission started work on adding a civil rights ordinance to the Beaverton City Code and in November of 2004 the Beaverton City Council passed the Civil Rights Ordinance.

The Ordinance states:

It is the policy of the City of Beaverton to eliminate discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, marital status, familial status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and source of income. Such discrimination threatens not only the rights and privileges of Beaverton citizens, but menaces the institutions and foundation of our community. Furthermore, the Mayor and City Council find that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity exists in the City of Beaverton and that state law does not clearly prohibit such discrimination. It is the intent of the Mayor and Council, in the exercise of their powers for the protection of the public health, safety, and general welfare and for the maintenance of peace and good government, that every individual shall have an equal opportunity to participate fully in the life of the city and that discriminatory barriers to equal participation in employment, housing, and public accommodation be removed.

The Commission continues to be involved in a number of annual events that promote diversity and basic human rights in the Beaverton community. The two largest of these events are the Annual City of Beaverton Diversity Award and the City of Beaverton Essay Contest.

Diversity Award

The Commission offers this opportunity to honor an individual, community organization, business organization, and/or non-profit group who has promoted appreciation for diversity, human rights, and cultural understanding in the City of Beaverton and our local community?

Citizens are encouraged to submit nominations to the City of Beaverton Human Rights Advisory Commission. For more information see Diversity Award or Diversity Award Nomination Form (PDF)

Essay Contest

“Diversity in My Community’ is the theme of the 4th Annual Human Rights Essay Contest, open to all Beaverton students, K-12. This is an opportunity for the youth of our community to share their understanding of the importance of acceptance in a creative manner—through written or spoken word, art, music, film or dance.

The contest runs from January to March, 2008. To submit entries and find additional information see Essay Contest.

Other Resources

Meeting Schedule and Contact Information


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