North Dakota Human Rights Coalition
Working to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights
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North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Working to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights |
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~North Dakota Human Rights Coalition~ PAUR Report
Programs ~ Announcements ~ Updates ~ Resources
Visit our Website at www.ndhrc.org
April 28, 2004
Hello members and friends of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition!
In this week’s PAUR Report:
Announcements 1) North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Development Committee Seeks Volunteers 2) 2005 Reebok Human Rights 3) Housing Summit Proposal, Prepared by UFE/PEPP Members, Released April 19, 2004
Newspaper Articles 4) Bismarck Tribune Letters to the Editor regarding Bismarck Human Relations Committee town hall meeting 5) Valley City Times, Local woman sees W. African women through new eyes 6) Grand Forks Herald, Mailbag: Drum song ‘commingles’ church, state 7) The Forum (Fargo) & Bismarck Tribune letters regarding gay marriage 8) The Forum (Fargo), Sex discrimination suit settled 9) The Forum (Fargo), Harassment suit goes to trial 10) Bismarck Tribune, Abuse victims remembered 11) Aberdeen American News (SD) & Grand Forks Herald, Don’t discount half the population 12) The Forum (Fargo), Church leaves the fold: Lutheran beliefs stray, pastor says
Events No new events this week – see the NDHRC calendar of events for more information.
Reminders 13) Barbecue at Trollwood Park, Fargo, April 30 14) Listening Session Training, April 29, Fargo 15) Indian Taco Sale Wednesdays 16) SAVE THE DATE, North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Conference, November 5 & 6, 2004, Bismarck 17) Cultural Diversity Resources, Human Rights Resource Center, Human Rights Movie Night, April 23, Fargo 18) North Dakota Progressive Coalition Presents Motivational Speaker John Nichols, April 30, Fargo 19) Festival of India Student Performance, April 29, Fargo 20) Knowing & Understanding Your Rights is the First Step in Receiving Equal Rights 21) Sisters of the Presentation at Sacred Heart Convent Presents “Peace Studies” 2003 Series (Various Locations in ND and MN)
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1.) North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Development Committee Seeks Volunteers
If you are interesting in serving as a development committee volunteer for the NDHRC, please contact Andrea Warren-Deegan at andreadeegan@ndhrc.org or at (701) 793-1134. The development committee and volunteer description is below for your information:
North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Development Committee and Volunteers Description
Committee Purpose: To develop a plan and work toward financial stability for the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition, and promote the mission of the NDHRC by working to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights.
Committee Considerations: The Committee is accountable to the NDHRC Executive Committee.
Committee Member Commitment (6 member limit): · Be a member of the NDHRC · Be familiar with and committed to the goals and activities of the NDHRC · Attend monthly Development Committee meetings · Serve for a minimum of one year
Volunteer Commitment (unlimited numbers of participants): · Be a member of the NDHRC · Be familiar with and committed to the goals and activities of the NDHRC · Interest in working on various development committee tasks and not being obligated to committee member commitments (as listed above)
Committee Scope: · To work on policy-making around development and fundraising using a detailed strategic process - to include, but not limited to, grants, membership, and other giving and support producing activities. · To bring to the board for discussion and approval a long-range revenue strategy that will support NDHRC programs and operations · To serve as leadership volunteers for fundraising events and campaigns, and involve other board members and NDHRC members to participate · To work with the Finance Committee toward benchmarking activities and funds, and increasing the development of partnerships · Establish financial goals for the NDHRC
Committee Member and Volunteer Responsibilities: Committee members and volunteers may participate in any of the following activities:
Strategic Planning and Policy Development (must be development committee member): · Participating in a half-day planning meeting · Creating development policy around development and fundraising · Establishing a long-range revenue strategy
Fundraising Event and Campaign Volunteers: · Planning and managing events · Promoting events and campaigns · Providing on-site support at events · Direct mail fundraising activities
Community Outreach and Donor/Member Solicitation Volunteers: · Participating in a variety of development efforts
Committee Member and Volunteer Qualifications: The NDHRC encourages all interested NDHRC members to participate in development committee efforts. We are also seeking people with the following professional backgrounds: Marketing Public Relations Sales Management Administration Fundraising
In addition, the Committee values participants who can offer: · A desire to promote human rights · An understanding of the mission and goals of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition · Willingness to learn new skills and processes · Interest in working cooperatively with motivated professionals in a casual setting
Benefits of Committee and Volunteer Participation: · Being personally rewarded by giving back to the community · Gaining opportunities to network, meet new friends, and establish professional contacts · Learning and practicing new skills related to development · Seeing direct results of hard work and dedication · Having fun in a positive, upbeat environment with similarly motivated Committee members · Measuring the success of development activities in policy implementation, increases in membership and donor contributions, and matching or exceeding established financial goals · Diversifying and enriching your resume
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2.) 2005 Reebok Human Rights
The Reebok Human Rights Award Program
seeks nominations of young human rights activists. Members of the international
community of human rights and non-governmental organizations are urged to
nominate young men and women to honor for their courage and contributions to
further human rights. The Reebok Human Rights Award was established in 1988, and
has since then, provided 76 young activists from 35 countries support and
encouragement at a critical time in their advocacy work. The award, which seeks
to shine a positive, international light on the awardees and to support their
work in human rights, provides recipients with a $50,000 grant from the Reebok
Human Rights Foundation for the human rights organization of their choice. Human
rights and non-governmental organizations are urged to nominate young men and
women to receive the award. ********************************************* 3.) Housing Summit Proposal, Prepared by UFE/PEPP Members, Released April 19, 2004
In January 2004, the City of Moorhead
released a Housing Study revealing many factors that influence the development
of housing in the City. The report states one way to increase housing growth is
to bring together builders and developers to learn about what is happening in
the City of Moorhead. The report suggests this type of community dialogue will
facilitate "understanding what barriers exist to entering the housing market."
The link for the housing summit proposal is here.
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Newspaper Articles
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4.) Bismarck Tribune Letters to the Editor regarding Bismarck Human Relations Committee town hall meeting
Letters to the Editor
Racial
discrimination exists here
<snip>
Bismarck Tribune – 04/18/2004
Prejudice thriving
Bismarck Tribune – 04/18/2004
Regarding the April 15 story on
Holocaust Remembrance Day, "Remembering." View full articles here ********************************************* 5.) Valley City Times, Local woman sees W. African women through new eyes
Local woman sees W. African women through new eyes Special to the Times-Record Valley City Times – 04/21/2004 Kristin Svidersky of Fargo will give a talk of her recent trip to West Africa at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Valley City, on Sunday April 25, at 2 p.m. Svidersky participated in a study tour in Cameroon, Africa, learning firsthand about the roles and status of women in West African churches and society. Traveling for two weeks with women from the United States Nigeria, Liberia, Senegal, and the Central African Republic, Svidersky explored issues such as poverty, economic globalization, education opportunities, and health care that affect women in West Africa. Not a typical tourist trip, this study tour included visits to developmental projects focusing on women, women's education centers run by the church, the Cameroonian ministries of women's affairs and social affairs, a protestant seminary and hospital, and a center for homeless children to name just a few. Some of the highlights of the trip were a reception held in a African woman's home and a concert by local choirs. "For me, this trip was a chance to get to know these women and see how similar they are to us. They face their hardships with incredible strength and faith. I feel fortunate to be able to share their stories with my neighbors back home," Svidersdy said. Her trip was sponsored by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Women of the ELCA. <snip> View full article here ********************************************* 6.) Grand Forks Herald, Mailbag: Drum song ‘commingles’ church, state MAILBAG: Drum song 'commingles' church, state MERIDIAN, Idaho - I am a recent graduate of UND, specifically the law school. And as a dedicated alum, I have followed UND and Grand Forks since my move to Idaho. First of all, congratulations to the UND hockey team. It is exciting to be cheering on the Sioux for an entire season. Second, shame on the law school and its faculty. The use of the Sioux logo and name have been hotly debated in Grand Forks for many years. However, I was troubled by the recent news about the playing of an "honor song" by an American Indian group. Certainly, this song can be interpreted by some as a religious ceremony, or at a minimum, it has some religious background. I am curious to know if the interim dean has considered this commingling of church and state. These are the very principles that are to be taught by this and every law school across the nation. The position of dean or even professor is not for advancement of personal or political agendas. Those positions were not created for that purpose; however, some professors have chosen to exploit their positions in furtherance of those goals. We live in the United States - the great melting pot, the land where all men are created equal. The interim dean has made a choice that says to the people of North Dakota, particularly the students at the law school, that the most important group here is the American Indians. They will be given deference at this graduation ceremony to the exclusions of others. The interim dean must have forgotten the strong Scandinavian influence in North Dakota and its settlement; where is their song? <snip> View full article here ********************************************* 7.) Grand Forks Herald, Bismarck Tribune & The Forum (Fargo) letters regarding gay marriage
Give same-sex couples same rights Grand Forks Herald – 04/21/2004 CROOKSTON - We are a group of straight and gay Christians who wish to make known our support for legalized marriage for same-sex couples. It is with much pain that we read and hear the angry and often hate-filled words articulated by professing Christians regarding this topic. And it is with much joy that we celebrate the many Christian communities throughout the country that honor the same-sex partners who contribute so much to our churches and communities. Those of us who are heterosexuals enjoy the right to publicly signify through marriage the love and commitment we have for our partners before God and society. Same-sex partners should be given that same right. Karen Miller Miller is a member of the Potting Shed, a group of straight and gay Christians who meet weekly in Grand Forks for dialogue and communion. This letter also was signed by Charles Miller, Gayle Baldwin, Kathy Tiemann, Daniel Pederson, Charlene Chamberlain, George Kelley and Paul Holje, who also are Potting Shed members. View online article here ***********************
Preserving marriage
Bismarck Tribune – 04/18/2004 View online article here *********************** Sexuality study hot ELCA
assembly topic A year before the national Evangelical Lutheran Church in America tackles whether to ordain noncelibate gays and lesbians and bless same-sex unions, the topic may be addressed by one area synod. About 700 members of the Northwestern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA are holding their annual assembly Friday and today at Fargo's Doublewood Inn. Voting members may consider two resolutions that deal with the sexuality study now under way in the church. One resolution, submitted by American Lutheran Church in Long Prairie asks the national church to make no changes in its current practices. The ELCA has no position on the blessing of same-sex unions. Those in same-sex relationships cannot be pastors. Another proposed resolution addresses how churches can express their opinions to delegates who will take up the issue at a national gathering. <snip> View full article here *********************** Marie Robertsdahl letter:
Christians sincere in obeying Bible To understand why some Christians are opposed to the legalization of gay marriage, you must understand what it says in our Bible. For example, God created Adam and Eve and said, "Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife and becomes one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). He also told Moses, "You shall not lie with male as with a woman; it is abomination" (Leviticus 18:22). The Apostle Paul also wrote, "Men committed shameless acts with men and received in their own persons due penalty for their error" (Romans 1:27). God clearly outlined in the Bible that any sexual activity between people of the same gender is sinful and would not be tolerated. God's law does not change with changing times. That being said, it is true that God loves everybody, but he also does not tolerate sin. Just because God loves someone does not make that person's sin right or okay. Not everyone gets the privilege of going to Heaven. You must follow God's law first. Lastly, most Christians do not hate homosexuals, but one must understand that homosexuality goes against everything we have been taught about marriage and the family unit. This is why it is such a big deal to us. It is completely opposite of what is believed to be right and holy, and that's why some (myself included) don't support legalizing gay marriage. Marie Robertsdahl Kindred, N.D. View online article here ********************************************* 8.) The Forum (Fargo), Sex discrimination suit settled
Sex discrimination suit settled A sexual harassment lawsuit filed against developer Robert H. Leslie has been settled out of court. Judith Fennell, a former executive assistant to Leslie, filed a civil lawsuit in Fargo's federal court in December 2002, saying Leslie sexually harassed her and discriminated against her based on her gender. Leslie, the founder, president and CEO of Lexstar Development and Construction, has denied Fennell's allegations. Lexstar is the parent company of Fargo's Ramada Plaza Suites and Conference Center. The agreement between Leslie and Fennell requires they not disclose the settlement's details, Fennell's attorney Stephen Rufer said. Rufer wouldn't say when the settlement was reached. <snip>
View full article here
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9.) The Forum (Fargo), Harassment suit goes to trial
Harassment suit goes to trial The Wahpeton, N.D., School District, its superintendent and former high school principal are defendants in a sexual harassment lawsuit in a jury trial in federal court in Fargo. Janet Faye Nelson, a former Wahpeton High School cook, filed a civil lawsuit in September 2002, claiming the school's now-retired principal, Clark Williams, sexually harassed her for more than 10 years. Williams, a Democratic representative in the state Legislature, retired from the school district in 2001. Williams slapped Nelson's buttocks, touched her breast, walked in while she was using the bathroom and made sexually suggestive comments, Nelson's attorney, Susan Ellison, told the jury during opening statements Monday. Nelson reported the abuse to Superintendent Mike Connell in March 2000, but Connell did nothing to stop it, Ellison said. <snip>
View full article here
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10.) Bismarck Tribune, Abuse victims remembered
Abuse victims remembered By Angie Buckley, Bismarck Tribune Bismarck Tribune – 04/21/2004 Somewhere along the way, Darcy
stumbled. <snip> View full article here ********************************************* 11.) Aberdeen American News (SD) & Grand Forks Herald, Don’t discount half the population Don't discount half the
population What is the role of women in government? Is it any different from men in government? Do citizens have special responsibilities because of gender? Does gender count in the voting booth? These questions have been raised in the last few weeks. I heard a woman on the radio say that fewer women are running for office this year in North Dakota than a few years ago. She believes that many women don't feel qualified to run. They discount their unique life experiences. This public servant said that the most important single quality of a good candidate is passion for what you believe and women have more passion by nature. She felt more younger women should spread their wings and run for state offices. Another point of view was expressed in the American News that "South Dakota women generally put their family first." The writer goes on to say "South Dakota women are busy with their families, volunteerism and jobs, and have little time or energy left for serving on boards and in political careers." She endorses a male candidate for state office because he "will represent us well with home-grown wisdom, and not expect South Dakota to cater to some out-of-touch, worn out, out-of-state women's ideas of how South Dakota women should behave." She seems to believe that public service for women is the out-of-touch idea of radical feminists. The writer of that letter should run for political office. She has strong opinions about a number of topics and expresses them in monthly letters to the editor. I guess she lacks the passion to put her views on the line. She feels more comfortable criticizing others who want to serve. The filing deadline came and went for the primary election and the result - there are no contests for many offices. We are proud that we live in a democracy, but what good is it if we only have one candidate or no candidate for an office? Even countries with totalitarian governments have one name on the ballot. There is still time to file as an Independent for the fall election. Think about it if you have ideas and passion and are willing to serve. <snip> View full article here ********************************************* 12.) The Forum (Fargo), Church leaves the fold: Lutheran beliefs stray, pastor says Church leaves the fold: Lutheran
beliefs stray, pastor says Fargo's Atonement Lutheran Church is leaving the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. By a vote of 211 to 14, Atonement's congregation confirmed on Sunday an earlier decision to secede from the 17-year-old Lutheran organization. The 1,500-member congregation has been distancing itself from the ELCA for years, because it is becoming more hierarchical in structure and less traditional in beliefs than members prefer, said the Rev. Dale Wolf, a pastor at Atonement. The change also means the church will be able to avoid messy upcoming debates in the ELCA about topics like ordaining non-celibate gay clergy, Wolf said. "Instead of focusing on the battles within the ELCA, we will be able to focus on God's ministry here at Atonement," he said. No other church in the ELCA's Eastern North Dakota Synod has taken such a vote before. <snip> View online article here
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Events
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A calendar of events is available on the NDHRC web site at http://ndhrc.org/Events/Calendar/April.htm.
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13.) Barbecue at Trollwood Park, Fargo, April 30
You are cordially invited to an outdoor barbecue at Trollwood Park, North Fargo, on Friday, April 30, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
The outdoor event will allow us to celebrate the arrival of spring, renew friendships, and make plans for the summer and beyond.
Bring a beverage and we’ll provide the rest. Please join us for this informal social.
For more information, call Paul Boswell at 231-7314 or Peg Furshong at 231-8239.
After 14 years, Paul Boswell will be leaving North Dakota State University; his last day at NDSU will be April 30. He has accepted a faculty position in the Department of Communication at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. He will serve as Director of UND’s Native Media Center. ********************************************* 14.) Listening Session Training, April 29, Fargo
WHAT: Listening Session Training Contact Duke
Schempp at PEPP at 218-236-5434 or Tammie Yak at CDR at 701-526-3002 for More
Information. *********************************************
15.) Indian Taco Sale Wednesdays
Purchase an
Indian tacos and soda for ONLY $5.00! Proceeds go
to All Nations Youth Group Come in and visit! Everyone is welcome!
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16.) SAVE THE DATE, North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Conference, November 5 & 6, 2004, Bismarck
!!! SAVE THE DATE !!! Friday, November 5 & Saturday, November 6, 2004 North Dakota Human Rights Coalition 2nd Annual Conference“Human Rights: The Economic Impact of Discrimination”
Location: Best Western Ramkota Hotel 800 South Third Street Bismarck, ND 58504
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17.) North Dakota Progressive Coalition Presents Motivational Speaker John Nichols, April 30, Fargo
You are invited!!
John Nichols, The Nation writer,
author, motivation speaker!
For more info, people can contact the ND Progressive Coalition at 701-224-8090 or NoDakPC@btinet.net. ********************************************* 18.) Cultural Diversity Resources, Human Rights Resource Center, Human Rights Movie Night, April 23, Fargo
Cultural Diversity Resources ********************************************* 19.) Festival of India Student Performance, April 29, Fargo The students of the Culture of Indian program invite you to attend their year-end performance, the Festival of India. The students will be performing dances they have learned throughout the year in traditional Indian clothing. The class instructor is Nandini Katti. The performance will be held on April 29, 2004 at Long Fellow Elementary school in the school gym. ********************************************* 20.) Knowing & Understanding Your Rights is the First Step in Receiving Equal Rights Learn how to attain your rights
1st Thursday of Each month
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
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North Dakota Human Rights Coalition P.O. Box 1961 Fargo, North Dakota 58107-1961 Phone: (701) 239-9323 Fax: (701) 478-4452 Email: humanrights@ndhrc.org
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