Who We Are

“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home — so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. […] Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.”

– Eleanor Roosevelt

Our History

The Barnstable County Human Rights Commission was first created by County ordinance on October 12, 2005. Seven commissioners were nominated and appointed. The first year of this commission was a pilot year. Since then, the Commission gained two additional commissioners, and a part-time Coordinator. The Commission also expanded to include a 16-member representational council including a representative from each town in Barnstable County as well as a representative from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe.  

In 2019, the commission changed its name and approach. As the Barnstable County Human Rights Advisory Commission (BCHRAC), the group advises the Coordinator in matters concerning human rights across the County. The mission remains the same. Per ordinance, the BCHRAC is comprised of 9 appointed voting members, 2 alternate members, and town/tribe liaisons, representative of all towns and tribes within Barnstable County. Liaisons serve at the pleasure of their town/tribe governing body and are non-voting members of the BCHRAC. 

Our Mission

The mission of the BCHRAC is to promote equal opportunity in housing, employment, education, public accommodations, town and county services, insurance, banking, credit, and healthcare for all persons in Barnstable County regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, ancestry, sexual or affection preference, marital, family, or military status, source of income, neighborhood, or disability.

What We Do

The Barnstable County Human Rights Advisory Commission (BCHRAC) promotes equal opportunity in housing, employment, education, public accommodations, town and county services, insurance, banking, credit, and healthcare for all persons in Barnstable County regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, ancestry, sexual or affection preference, marital, family, or military status, source of income, neighborhood, or disability.

The Barnstable County Human Rights Advisory Commission (BCHRAC) is an advisory body established by Barnstable County Regional Government (by Ordinance 22-01) to promote human rights for all persons of Barnstable County (the fifteen towns on Cape Cod).

The BCHRAC works to:

1. Provide assistance to municipalities, public agencies, and the public by promoting equality and human rights through: educational activities; community forums and events; dissemination of information and publication

2. Promote equality and equal protections with local stakeholders and diverse communities.

3. Minimize acts and patterns of discrimination by promoting awareness through education.

4. When necessary, direct those subject to apparent human rights violations to appropriate local, state, and federal officials and agencies.

5. Create and maintain a database of federal and state regulatory and enforcement agencies including, but not limited to, publicly certified interveners, responders, counselors, and mediators.

6. Gather and report human rights data.

BCHRAC Strategic Plan  

2022-2027 (Calendar Year) 

Plan Updated As Of: March 12, 2022  

Strategic Plan: 

The Mission of the BCHRAC is to uphold, promote and protect the inherent dignity and inalienable rights of individuals in Barnstable County.

STRATEGIC GOAL:  

All persons living, working, and visiting Barnstable County are entitled to a social and legal order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in local and state legal frameworks, as well as human rights instruments, are fully realized.

Objective 1: The human rights of individuals in Barnstable County are guaranteed. 

• Advise, facilitate, and provide referrals in response to complaints 
• Create a database of complaints to identify trending issues in human rights violations 
• Identify and report trending issues based on complaints to County

Objective 2: Individuals and groups are educated of their human rights.   

• Develop educational tools:
• Recognize and promote achievements by local individuals 
• Create a resource library (incorporated into the HHS library) 

Objective 3: Individuals and groups are engaged through collaboration to achieve common human rights goals. 

• Coordinate with other county commissions and services. 
• Identify and engage influencers leaders and decision-makers on the Cape to strengthen relationships 
• Create a Cape-wide community outreach event Create a communications plan 
• Create a communications plan  

1st objective: The human rights of individuals in Barnstable County are guaranteed  

2nd objective: Individuals and groups are educated on their human rights 

3rd objective:  Individuals and groups are engaged through collaboration to achieve common human 

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BCHRAC: the whole group meets monthly for the purpose of education and BCHRAC organization. All meetings are pursuant to Open Meeting Law. Quorum is 5 members; alternates may be counted towards quorum as needed. (3rd Monday of the month 5:00-6:30 on Teams)

Education and Outreach – this is the central mission and task of the BCHRAC (both internal and external education.) This committee plans educational events for the public that directly address human rights concerns across the County. The committee also identifies internal learning opportunities. BCHRAC meetings often include time to listen to community leaders identified by the committee. Identify and participate in community festivals and fairs for outreach.

Human Rights Academy – host two annual events: Fall Academy with presentation and Spring Academy Gathering for students to highlight their work. Planning begins late spring with frequent meetings in late summer and early fall

Human Rights Day Celebration – honor International Human Rights Day on December 10. Recognize members of the community doing human rights work, as well as Unsung Heroes connected to theme of the year. Breakfast/event planning begins late summer with frequent meetings in the fall.

Intake and Referral – assist BCHRAC Coordinator in providing follow-up to human right concern intakes. Research and identify possible resources for individuals based on their concerns. Create and maintain database on federal & state regulatory and enforcement agencies. (2nd Wednesday of the month at 9:00 am on Zoom)

Communications – Work with the BCHRAC Coordinator and Administrative Assistant to streamline messaging with the County Communications Team. Meets infrequently.

Strategic Plan – rewrite once every 3 years. Conduct annual review to ensure objectives and priorities are aligned. Meets infrequently.