[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of South Hadley 5-11-2022 ATM by Art. 17. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A. 
Purpose. There is hereby established a Town board to be known as the "South Hadley Human Rights Commission" ("Commission") which may implement the policy of this bylaw by:
(1) 
Improving the life of the Town by enlisting community-based groups in educational programs and campaigns to increase mutual respect, harmonious intergroup relations and the peaceful enjoyment of life in our community;
(2) 
Working with Town government, the School Department, Town commissions and boards to increase diversity, as well as awareness and sensitivity to human and civil rights issues;
(3) 
Responding to complaints by persons in the Town who believe that their human or civil rights, as defined in this bylaw or in state or federal law, have been violated in the Town;
(4) 
Provide referrals and information to persons with complaints which appear to the Commission to be the result of unlawful discrimination against any person(s) in the Town to any appropriate authority that has jurisdiction.
B. 
Appointment and terms of office of Commission members.
(1) 
The HRC shall consist of nine members who shall be residents of the Town for staggered three-year terms such that at least three members shall be appointed annually. Initially, three members will be appointed to one-year terms, three members will be appointed to two-year terms and three members will be appointed to three-year terms. Thereafter, each member shall be appointed for a three-year term. Two members shall be appointed by the Selectboard; two members shall be appointed by the Commission on Disability; two members shall be appointed by the School Committee; one member shall be appointed by the Council on Aging; one member shall be appointed by the Cultural Council; and one member shall be appointed by the Board of Health.
(2) 
The Commission shall include among its membership individuals publicly solicited and representative of the diversity of the Town.
C. 
Residency requirement. All members of the Commission shall be residents of the Town at the time of their appointment and throughout their tenure.
D. 
Officers, quorum, and adoption of rules and regulations.
(1) 
The Commission shall elect a Chairperson from among its members at the first meeting each year. The Commission shall endeavor to rotate the election of a Chairperson each year thereafter. The Chairperson shall preside over the meetings of the Commission.
(2) 
Five members shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting the business of the Commission and all decisions shall be by a majority vote of the Commission members present and voting.
(3) 
The Commission shall adopt rules and regulations consistent with this bylaw and the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to carry out the policy and provisions of this bylaw and the duties of the Commission in connection therewith. The regulations and rules shall ensure the due process rights of all persons involved in investigations and hearings and shall set forth a process for investigations and related hearings as authorized hereunder consistent with the purpose of this bylaw.
(4) 
Members of the Commission shall serve without compensation.
(5) 
Members of the Commission may be removed by the appointing authority for just cause.
The Commission shall meet annually to organize and select from amongst its members a chair, vice chair, and clerk and decide on a preliminary calendar of meetings for the year, said calendar to be posted at Town Hall. A majority of members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, and a majority of those present and voting shall be sufficient for any action taken by the Commission, unless otherwise required by law. The Commission's meetings shall be governed by the requirements of the Open Meeting Law.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See MGL c. 30A, § 18 et seq.
A. 
The Commission shall have the following charge: Develop community awareness and education of human rights. Promote understanding of the diverse cultures within our Town and surroundings through education, organization of community events, summits, educational panels and celebrations and other community action, including maintaining a good working relationship with Town media sources. Serve as a resource with respect to issues that challenge any individual or group's enjoyment of their basic human rights in our community. Promote cooperation of racial, religious, ethnic, civic, fraternal, benevolent and private and public organizations and agencies to cultivate and encourage an atmosphere of mutual understanding and harmonious intergroup relationships. Annually, and more often as may be requested, provide written or verbal reports to the Selectboard on Commission activities.
B. 
The Commission shall not adjudicate or facilitate resolution of disputes between individuals.