The Human Rights Commission (HRC) is an 11-member group of volunteers, appointed by the Mayor and Council, that is charged with minimizing the effects of conflict and promoting an appreciation of diversity within the city. To meet these goals, the HRC provides a variety of services and educational and cultural programs that promote global thinking, encourage civic awareness, and/or reflect the rich diversity found in the city. Some of these services and programs include diversity and inclusion training, topical forums, voter education and registration, and community celebrations such as the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration and Rockville Pride. The HRC also advises the Mayor and Council on human rights issues that may affect residents.
To promote diversity and to improve human relations, it is important for the HRC to know and understand the issues that the city’s various communities face. To that end, the HRC engages in community outreach activities throughout the city and invites residents to attend its monthly meetings. To encourage community involvement, the HRC also invites residents to participate in its programs and to apply for commissioner positions as vacancies occur.
HRC Student Ambassador Program (SAP)is an annual leadership opportunity for Rockville high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The purpose and goals of the SAP will be to:
educate participants about human rights and the HRC,
allow them opportunities to develop leadership skills as they aid the HRC in planning and executing its programs and initiatives,
establish and maintain an on-going relationship between the HRC and the youth it serves, and
improve the reach and effectiveness of the HRC programs and initiatives.
Open to all Rockville high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The HRC will select two students from each of four Rockville high schools (Richard Montgomery High School, Rockville High School, Thomas S. Wootton High School, and Fusion Academy) and 4 students that live in but attend schools outside of Rockville to serve as official HRC Student Ambassadors for a nine-month term starting September 23, 2020 and ending June 23, 2021.
