[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township
of Gloucester 8-24-1998 by Ord.
No. O-98-27. Amendments noted where applicable.[1]]
[1]
Former Ch. 12, Parks and Recreation Commissioners, Board of,
adopted 3-6-1973 by Ord. No. O-73-04, was repealed 3-28-1976 by Ord.
No. O-76-10.
There is hereby established and confirmed the creation of a
Commission to be known as the "Gloucester Township Human Relations
Commission."
A.
To confirm the creation of a Human Relations Commission.
B.
The creation of this Commission affirms that this Township's strength
and quality of life derives, in part, from its cultural diversity
and recognizes that racial, ethnic or religious tension undermines
the strength and unity of a community and is detrimental to the community's
health and well-being. It is only through an environment of tolerance,
mutual understanding and harmonious relations between all individuals
of the Township's diverse population that a more perfect community
can be realized. The uniqueness of each individual and different groups
of individuals contributes to a beautiful panorama within the Township.
C.
The purpose of this Commission is to promote good relations between
all the peoples of this community and to demonstrate a high regard
for the protection of the civil rights of all persons. Its ultimate
goal is the integration of all unique human differences into a unified
community.
For the purposes of this chapter, the terms used herein are
as follows:
The Gloucester Township Human Relations Commission.
Any action or activity which has an effect on any person
based on race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry,
or religious affiliation.
Includes one or more individuals, associations, organizations
or groups.
The Township of Gloucester
[Amended 2-28-2000 by Ord. No. O-00-05; 3-22-2010 by Ord. No. O-10-12]
A.
The Human Relations Commission shall consist of a minimum of seven
and a maximum of 15 members, to be appointed by the Mayor, who shall
serve for a term of two years, such terms to be staggered. For the
initial term appointment, a simple majority shall be appointed for
a term of two years, and the balance of the members shall be appointed
for a term of one year. Thereafter, all members shall be appointed
for a term of two years. With the exception of the initial term, the
commencement date of membership term shall be January 1. In addition,
there shall be a Township Council liaison member appointed by the
Mayor with the consent of Township Council, which liaison member shall
serve as a nonvoting member. In case of death, resignation or inability
to serve, the successor shall be appointed in the same manner as the
appointment of the original members, to fill the unexpired term of
such member.
B.
Each member shall serve until his or her successor is duly appointed
and qualified. Members shall serve without compensation.
C.
Members of the Gloucester Township Human Relations Commission shall
not use the Commission as a platform for their own political or personal
gain.
The Commission shall, as soon as possible after the first day
of July of each year, select a Chairperson and such other officers
as it may deem necessary, and shall adopt bylaws to govern its procedural
operations. Upon request by the Commission, there may be appropriated
in each annual budget of the Township such sum as may be determined
by the Township Council to be necessary for the purposes of the Commission.
A.
The Commission shall act in an advisory capacity to the Mayor and
Township Council. It is not intended to, and may in no way act or
function as a review board of police or another Township departmental
activity and may not infringe upon, or in any manner usurp, the power
and authority granted by law to the Mayor or Township Council in matters
including, but not limited to, the hiring and removing of personnel
or the general supervision over all departments, offices, agencies,
officials or employees of the Township.
B.
The Commission shall:
(1)
Carry out educational programs which promote tolerance, understanding
and harmonious relations between all individuals of the Township;
(2)
Foster participation in and encourage individual, organizational,
neighborhood and community efforts to engender understanding, goodwill,
cooperation and conciliation among the various groups and individuals
of this Township;
(3)
Receive, mediate and seek reconciliation of problems brought to its
attention by individuals of the Township and by the Township government
with respect to matters involving human rights;
(4)
Monitor the Township's commitment to equal rights and assure the
Township's conformity with existing civil rights laws while promoting
the goals of equality, justice and harmony;
(5)
Serve as a conciliation agency where the services of the Commission
might be effective in accomplishing it objective;
(6)
Oversee the administration of sensitivity training on racial, ethnic
and religious relations for the Mayor, Council, and all members of
the Township's boards, committees, agencies and authorities serving
the community;
(7)
Study and analyze the status, nature and extent of discrimination,
prejudice, bias, intolerance, and indifference in the community at
large;
(8)
Report from time to time, and not less than once a year, to the Mayor
and Council on ways and means to promote and encourage understanding,
goodwill, cooperation, equal opportunity and conciliation in the community
at large, and ways and means to eliminate discrimination, bias, intolerance,
indifference and group tensions in the community at large.
