HomeMy WebLinkAboutLexington Human Rights Committee - LHRC - Charge REV 02-2025 RECEIVED
TOWN CLERK
LEXINGTON MA
Lexington Human Rights Committee
Members: 7
Quorum: A majority of the members then in office, but at least 3
Appointed By: Select Board
Length of Term: 3 years, staggered
Appointments Made: September 30
Mission
Supporting Lexington's vision of a community that has as core values freedom from
bigotry, hatred, intolerance, disrespect, and destructive conflict among its citizens.
Building a stronger,more unified Town that respects and recognizes both our diversity and
our commonalities.
Addressing statements and actions that conflict with the core values expressed above.
Fostering respectful, civil,public discourse and debate.
Function of the Committee
The Lexington Human Rights Committee (LHRC) shall carry out its mission, related to
the core values expressed above, through:
• Public advocacy including, but not limited to, programming, educational awareness,
engagement, and collaboration with Town and community groups and
recommendations to the Select Board
• Providing support to Town departments, committees, and community organizations
when requested, regarding the core values expressed above.
• Referring reported civil rights complaints or concerns to appropriate government
agencies
• Assisting in planning responses to groups, internal or external to the Town, which
advocate actions antithetical to the core values
The LHRC focus shall be matters that directly affect Lexington rather than matters that
are primarily of statewide, national, or international concern.
LHRC may work with like committees of other localities and with organizations with
which it shares a common purpose, and should use any available materials, advice, or
assistance from other organizations, that may be helpful in accomplishing its mission.
Among other items on the agenda shall be a review of the types of human rights related
incidents in the Town since the last meeting, regardless of whether the LHRC was
involved in responding to the incidents.
Committee Structure
Non-voting Liaisons: Select Board and School Committee liaisons are invited to
participate. The Town Manager shall select participating staff liaisons, including but not
limited to representatives from the Lexington Police Department, Human Services
Department, the Equity Office, or other senior staff. The Lexington Public Schools'
Superintendent is also invited to appoint a liaison from the district's leadership team.
Ref. - Charge adopted by the Board of Selectmen on April 30, 2008.
Board of Selectmen voted to designate as Special Municipal Employees on April 30,
2008.
Selectmen voted to change membership from 7-11 to 9 members on October 17, 2011.
Select Board voted to change membership from 9 to 7 members; add quorum
requirements; to make Town staff liaisons; and to clarify, simplify, and align charge
consistent with current practice on February 24, 2025.