Human Rights Commission


Join the Human Rights Commission to Advance Equity in Eugene!

The City of Eugene is seeking community members to serve on the Human Rights Commission who are passionate about Human Rights and are connected to the community. The HRC is looking to fill 3 positions that would serve from July 2018 to June 2021. The Human Rights Commission is a volunteer advisory group that builds an annual work plan to address social equity. The HRC provides input and advice to the City Manager and City Council on issues to advance conversations for Human Rights. 

The Commission meets the third Tuesday of each month from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. In addition to monthly meetings, each commissioner participates in a work group of their choosing that works to meet the goals of the annual work plan and attends community events. The total time commitment is approximately 6-10 hours a month.    APPLY TODAY>>

Meeting and Commission Information

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) meets the third Tuesday of each month (except July and August). All meetings are open to the public. The Commission focuses on its City Council-approved work plan, community matters, and working within City government. The Commission undertakes a two-year work plan, currently focused on four goals:

  1. Building Commission capacity
  2. Enhancing the Commission relationship and role within the City government
  3. Responding to human rights concerns and trends
  4. Working toward a human rights framework in Eugene

Members create working groups, designate liaisons, craft resolutions and statements, follow response protocols, and facilitate collaboration and partnerships to achieve specific, targeted outcomes. At each full business meeting (held every other month), the Commission and Committees provide a public forum, where issues can be announced or concerns brought forward from the community for broader attention or possible organized response. Finally, the Commission participates in, endorses and financially sponsors community events that are aligned with its mission.

Report on: Marginalized Voices in Eugene


Focus Groups in Eugene’s Communities of Color, Muslim and LGBTQ Communities

The Eugene Human Rights Commission’s Anti-Discrimination Work Group hosted 10 focus groups in communities of color, Muslim and LGBTQ communities in Eugene. The purpose of the focus groups was to learn about marginalized individuals’ experiences at this moment in time and to explore how the City of Eugene might help members of these communities feel safe, welcome and included in Eugene. Commissioners Bonnie Souza and Ken Neubeck co-chaired the work group, planned and hosted all of the focus groups – with help from community members – and co-authored “Marginalized Voices in Eugene,” which includes important recommendations to the Mayor and City Council.

Bonnie Souza and Ken Neubeck, Co-chairs; Anti-Discrimination Work Group; Eugene Human Rights Commission – June 2017