The Human Rights Commission is hereby authorized and empowered:
(a) To cooperate and work with Federal, State and Local Government officers, units, activities and agencies in the promotion and attainment of more harmonious understanding and greater equality of rights between and among all persons regardless of race, or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, familial status, or veteran status;
(b) To enlist the cooperation of racial, religious and ethnic units, community and civic organizations, industrial and labor organizations, and other identifiable groups of the City in programs and campaigns devoted to the education and advancement of tolerance, understanding and equal protection of the laws for all groups and peoples regardless of race perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, familial status, or veteran status;
(c) To recommend to Council policies, procedures, practices and legislation in matters and questions affecting human rights and relations;
(d) To create such committees and sub-committees from within the Commission and its volunteers, which in its judgment will aid in effectuating the purposes of this article, to study the problem of discrimination in all fields of discrimination because of race or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, familial status, or veteran status; to foster, through community effort or otherwise, good will, cooperation and conciliation among the groups and elements of the population of this City, and to make recommendations to the Commission for the development and implementation of programs of formal and informal education.
(e) To accept contributions from any person, private corporation, or governmental agency, including the City of Fairmont as part of its budgetary process, to assist in the effectuation of the purposes of this Article and to apply for grants and other funding, and to seek and enlist the cooperation and support of private, public, governmental, charitable, religious, labor, civic and benevolent organizations for the purposes of this section;
(f) To hold, formulate, and develop forums, workshops, and opportunities to allow for the dissemination, sharing, and discussion of information to the understanding and work of the Commission and which will tend to promote good will and minimize or eliminate discrimination;
(g) To issue such publications and results of research as in its judgment will tend to promote good will and minimize or eliminate discrimination;
(h) Pursuant to the "Sunshine Law", West Virginia Code 6-9A-1 et seq., meetings of the Commission shall be open to the public.
(Ord. 1977. Passed 12-13-22.)