Kent County Boards and Committees

Human Relations Commission: (Term 3 years - 9 members)

VACANT	Nancy Grahamer, Chair 10/04/12
Darnell Parker, Co-Chair 10/04/10	Darlene Jones Stouts 10/04/12
VACANT
VACANT
VACANT

Originally established 08/20/02 - Code Home Rule Bill 5-2002

Section 36-5.Members, Terms, and Officers

• The Kent County Human Relations Commission shall consist of not fewer than seven members appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. Membership of the Commission should reflect the diversity of the County's population.
• The term of a member of the Commission is three years. The terms of the members shall be staggered in a manner to be determined by the Board. A person may not serve more than two consecutive terms.
• The Commission shall select a chairperson and a vice chairperson to be the officers of the Commission. The term of an officer of the Commission is one year. No officer may serve for more than two consecutive years.
• Each member of the Commission shall serve without compensation.

Bylaws of the Kent County (MD) Human Relations Commission

Article VII - Duties and Powers of Officers
Section 1. The Chairperson of the KCHRC shall preside at all meetings of the KCHRC and of the Executive Committee. The Chairperson shall serve as an Ex-Officio member of all committees and shall appoint special committees as authorized by the KCHRC. The Chairperson shall prepare or delegate the preparation of a comprehensive annual report covering the KCHRC's activities upon the approval o the KCHRC and shall be presented to and filed with the Board of County Commissioners.

Section 2. The Vice-Chairperson shall assume and perform the duties of the Chairperson in his or her absence.

Section 3. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings of KCHRC; see that all notices are given in accordance with the By Laws, or as required by law; and prepare communications as directed by the Commission and its officers.

Section 4. The Treasurer shall develop an operating budget annually which shall be presented to the KCHRC for approval by majority vote, and then presented to the proper County office as designated by the County Commissioners. The Treasurer shall be authorized to expend funds provided for in said budget.

Code Home Rule Bill 5-2002

Section 36-3. General Provisions.
(a) Purpose. - The purpose of the Commission is to:

(1) Develop positive human relations through education, encouragement of greater respect and understanding between people, their equal opportunity rights under the law, and the recognition of the racial, ethnic, religious and cultural diversity among the people of Kent County;

(2) Advance the means for the alleviation of social friction and prejudice; and

(3) Further the American ideal of equality and justice.

(b) Community solutions: - The Commission shall focus the community's efforts to the solution of problems that cause racial and other tensions and which stem from acts of unlawful discrimination within the County.

(c) Equal treatment for all. - The Commission shall encourage and ensure equal treatment of all persons, without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or physical or mental handicap, in housing, employment, and public accommodations.

Section 36-4. Powers of Commission.
To accomplish the obligations imposed under Section 36-3 of this Chapter, the Commission may:

(a) Provide advice and assistance related to the filing and processing of grievances and complaints of discrimination with the appropriate state and federal agencies;

(b) Educate the community to the rights and responsibilities of individuals in housing, employment, and public accommodations;

(c) Initiate and encourage appropriate activities that seek to discourage or prevent unlawful discrimination;

(d) Assist in nonbinding alternative dispute resolution;

(e) Upon request of the Kent County Commissioners, to study and make recommendations regarding problems in the County that arise from alleged discrimination prohibited by state and federal law; and

(f) Perform such other duties consistent with the purposes listed in Section 36-3 of this Chapter as the Kent County Commissioners may direct.