NEWBURYPORT — The Commission for Diversity and Tolerance is hoping to fill two openings on their board this fall.
Co-chairwoman Beth Horne said yesterday the committee would welcome both high school-age or adult members.
The commission was formed in 2005 as an offset of the No Place For Hate Committee. The group responds to incidences of hate or hate crimes in the community, working in conjunction with the schools, police, City Hall and service agencies, including the YWCA and the Geiger Center.
"We try to do as much collaborative work as we can," Horne said.
The commission meets monthly.
Applicants are asked to submit a letter of interest with resume or applicable experience to Beth Horne, Commission for Diversity and Tolerance, P.O. Box 1283, Newburyport, MA 01950, e-mail jandesantis@comcast.net. Horne said she hopes to fill the openings this fall in order to allow new members to attend training programs with the rest of the commission set for this year.
The commission is planning community programs for this fall, including a possible speaker series and communitywide training/anti-bias education.
Horne said the number of incidents that the commission is called to respond to has remained constant over the last three years — something she credits the school curriculum and the community for.
Still, she said, the commission's work is ongoing.
"It's work that's never done," she said.
In addition to educational programs, the commission gives mini-grants to organizations that promote tolerance.
