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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OUTREACH & EVENTS COMMITTEE
This committee establishes and maintains relationships with individuals, groups and local government to enhance the impact of the BCHRAC regarding Human Rights. Members report on significant activities in the community, meets/networks with like-minded groups, and convenes events or activities that will engage the whole community around Human Rights issues.
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
The Communications Committee supports the publicizing of all BCHRAC activities and events; provides and/or coordinates content to the County Human Services Newsletter, local Op-Ed pages, BCHRAC Web Site and select social media platforms; ensures that BCHRAC Web Site content is up-to-date (events, meetings, documents, news); and provides Human Rights resources for publication on the County’s Human Services Resource Page.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
With Education at the heart of the BCHRAC mission, this Committee develops, coordinates and/or delivers presentations, workshops, panels, discussions, or forums to educate and engage the entire community in Human Rights issues.
INTAKE COMMITTEE
The Intake committees seeks to assist residents of visitors to the area with addressing human rights or civil rights violations that occur within Barnstable County.
STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE
The Strategic Planning Committee leads the creation of the Five-Year Strategic Plan to ensure that all work conducted under the banner of the HRAC adheres to and aligns with the Ordinance and that all programs developed and implemented by the Barnstable County Human Rights Advisory Commission are informed by the Strategic Plan
HUMAN RIGHTS AWARDS BREAKFAST COMMITTEE
The Commission celebrates the UN Human Rights Day on December 10th with hundreds of participants on Cape Cod. The committee organizes all aspects of the breakfast, including the selection of a theme and the solicitation and selection of nominees for the Cornerstone and Rosenthal Community Championship Awards.
HUMAN RIGHTS ACADEMY COMMITTEE
The Human Rights Academy holds two sessions each year in the Fall and Spring where students from all over the county meet to highlight the work they have done in support of human rights. They also reward students who demonstrate leadership in improving human rights on Cape Cod and worldwide.
