Diversity
Purpose
To function in an advisory capacity to the conference or Union Executive
Committee. In this respect, the Committee is charged with the responsibility
of initiating programs to articulate more clearly the Conference or Union's
statement of philosophy on human relations.
Membership
The Committee consists of individuals representative of the membership
of the Conference or Union. The committee should not be too large, nor
should it be disproportionate in terms of lay persons and minority / dominant
ethnic groups. Individuals should be open, balanced, and responsible;
i.e.; African Americans, Caucasian Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian
Americans, Native Americans, lay persons, people with disabilities, females,
pastors, administrators, and youth.
Method
The Human Relations Committee performs the following functions:
- Discusses issues
that have the potential for contributing to disunity before they reach
the crisis state;
- Reviews plans that
have been formulated or used to provide closer harmony among believers;
- Provides opportunities
for concerted individuals to share and give input;
- Plans educational
programs that enable members to appreciate the cultural heritage of
all members of the church;
- Reviews policies,
procedures, and practices of the local organization to assure that these
are current and in harmony with national and denominational policies.
Such include but are not limited to notification, evaluation, assessment,
appointment, termination, etc.;
Prepares materials that can be used to provide instruction to pastors and others on issues such as: cross-cultural programming, racial relationships, etc.;
- Encourages churches
and conferences to promote brotherhood and oneness through special programs
on Human Relations Day (Martin Luther King's birthday observance), Black
History Month (Brotherhood Month), Human Rights Day; and at other times
when such a focus is deemed appropriate;
- Studies the ethnic
composition of the conference or union;
- Develops and keeps
updated a job skills bank that includes qualified ethnic individuals
who are seeking employment or desiring to donate their services to the
church in the area of workshop presentations, speaking engagements,
etc.; and
- Performs other
responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Committee of the Conference
or Union.
