MORGANTOWN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
The next regular meeting should be Thursday, December 19, at 6:30 p.m. You can get contact information for the commission, including information on filing complaint forms here. You can get copies of the agendas and minutes for the commission meetings here. You can find a calendar of annual human rights observances here. Observances for the current month are included in this website here.
The Human Rights Commission will be presenting its annual awards. This will take place on Sunday, December 8, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Aull Center (Garlow House), 351 Spruce Street, next to the Morgantown Public Library on Spruce Street. Eve Faulkes will receive the award for an individual, and MAYSP will receive the award for an organization.
There will be free parking in City parking lots. There will be a violinist for accompaniment, Shairah Sanchez; she is an undergraduate student in the WVU Music Program. Food and beverages are being donated by the Suncrest Towne Center Starbucks, as they were last year. The Starbucks on Beechurst is also joining in. Champion Trophies is engraving the awards at a ‘special price’. The Human Rights Commission appreciates the support from these businesses.
The poster and flag exhibition should be open by Wednesday, December 4, and run through Saturday, December 21. The show will be open Monday and Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Wednesday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
There will be an art and essay contest for all Morgantown K-12 students. The content must be human rights-related and there will be monetary awards for the best entries. Exhibits may be dropped off at the Aull Center during business hours, or call Annie Cronan Yorick to make arrangements (304) 216-2251.
Vacancies on Human Rights Commission. There are currently three vacancies on the commission. According to the City of Morgantown’s website, “Appointments of to the Commission are made by City Council, and all must be residents of the City. All seats are non-ward specific.” Information on applying for the commission is available here.
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS of morgantown / monongalia County (LWV-MM)
The League of Women Voters is a constituent member of West Virginia Women Vote (WVWV) and a member of the CCSJ.
Follow this group on Facebook and contact them by email at lwvmorgantown@gmail.com. Interested in joining the League of Women Voters? Join online. The state League of Women Voters has a new website. “The League of Women Voters of West Virginia is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots civic organization that encourages informed and active participation in government.” They are a member of the CCSJ.
GREATER MORGANTOWN INTERFAITH ASSOCIATION (GMIA)
You can follow GMIA on Facebook or on the web. Their email address is faulkeseve@gmail.com.
MORGANTOWN NOW CHAPTER
Follow the group on Facebook or their website.
The Tuesday, December 10 meeting will be from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Pour Choices and Grub, 227 Chestnut Street, Morgantown.
Email this group at morgantownnow@gmail.com.
Morgantown-Kingwood Branch of the NAACP
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, December 17 at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. Contact the NAACP at 3241naacp@gmail.com for more information and to learn how to participate.
The branch has a Readings on Race and Rights group and does its work with a variety of committees, including Education, Political Action, Legal Redress, Criminal Justice, and Health.
Follow the NAACP on Facebook. The Facebook page also includes information on bills in the legislature that are of concern to the branch members.
We appreciate the fact that the Branch shares this CCSJ Update with its membership.
Morgantown Civilian Police Review Advisory Board Needs Two Members
The City of Morgantown is currently accepting applications for the two vacancies on the Board, and you can get a link to the application and more information by going here. “The Board shall consist of nine members appointed by the City Council. Each member shall be a resident of the city or an active member of an organization that works within the city to promote purposes consistent with the purpose of the Board.”
The board meets the second Tuesday of each month at noon at the Morgantown Public Safety Building conference room. For links to agendas and minutes of past meetings, go here.
MORGANTOWN CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-MENNONITE
Sunday services are held at 10:30 a.m. in person and via Zoom with the link available here. Everyone is welcome.
The church has a Blessings Box outside the church at 464 Virginia Avenue, Morgantown, where you can drop off extra food you may have or take some if you need it, or swap food. Feminine hygiene products are also welcome.
December events include:
Sunday, December 7: Violin recital fundraiser at 6:00 p.m. at the church for Take Me Home, Morgantown, a group that sponsors refugee families. Please bring a cash or check donation to enter.
Saturday, December 21: 7:00 p.m., "Longest Night" gathering at Morgantown Church of the Brethren.
Tuesday, December 24: 7:00 p.m., Christmas Eve service with candles and music at Morgantown Church of the Brethren.
Follow them at their website or on Facebook. The church is a member of the CCSJ.
greater morgantown interfaith association
If you are interested in this group, please contact Eve Faulkes at faulkeseve@gmail.com.
Fairmont PFLAG
Information is available here and on their Facebook page.
There are many events listed on the Facebook page.
DISMANTLING RACISM TOGETHER
This group will meet Monday, December 16, at 7:00 p.m. by zoom. John Bolt will present Monongalia County Schools data on school discipline for the 2023 - 2024 year. The zoom link to join is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85962493623.
Jimmie Hawkins will be in Morgantown, Sunday, February 9, at 2:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church to discuss elements of his book with the community. Please join us by registering for the event. Each week you will receive an email with questions for reflection and a reminder for the February event. Register for the Community Read here. The book is available at First Presbyterian Church or through online vendors such as Thrift Books, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, or Westminster John Knox Press.
The community is invited to join Dismantling Racism Together and First Presbyterian Church in a community-wide read of Unbroken and Unbowed: A History of Black Protest in America . In this compelling and informative volume, Jimmie R. Hawkins walks the reader through the many forms of Black protest in American history, from pre-colonial times though the George Floyd protests of 2020.
For more information about the group please go to their website or Facebook or email dismantlingracismtogether@gmail.com or contact rebeccarodd@yahoo.com.
First Presbyterian Church
The church is located at 456 Spruce Street. Adult Sunday School is at 9:30 a.m. Online worship is at 10:00 a.m., and in-person worship is at 11:00 a.m. The church’s Facebook page is here and has details about the many activities. The church is a member organization of CCSJ.
WEST VIRGINIA COALITION FOR TRUTH IN HISTORY
The Coalition was very active during the legislative session, including, after the session, publishing an op ed in the Charleston Gazette and a letter to the editor in the Dominion Post about its issues. See our Legislature Updates/Alerts page for information on issues of concern. Send your email address to ccsjwv@gmail.com, and we will pass on your information to the coalition’s leadership.
For more information about the group please go to their website or Facebook or email dismantlingracismtogether@gmail.com or contact rebeccarodd@yahoo.com.
MORGANTOWN PRIDE
According to their website: "We provide social and educational resources for the LGBTQ+ Community, Friends and Allies in Mon. County. Our main focus is to sponsor and participate in events and programs that enrich the Morgantown community and affirm the value of LGBTQ+ people within our community. We offer several events throughout the year to bring people together and raise awareness."
There will be a virtual PRIDE public meeting on Friday, December 6, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88075181798 (Passcode: 035276).
There will also be a virtual public meeting on Friday, December 27, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88075181798 (Passcode: 035276).
For information on this group and descriptions of Board positions, go to their Facebook page or their website. The Facebook page is very active so check it regularly for updates and more events. Morgantown Pride also has an Instagram page here.
Raising Trans Kids Community Group
The Raising Trans Kids community group is for West Virginia parents, guardians, and families who are raising transgender or gender diverse kids (of any age), or have kids who might be transgender or gender diverse. Follow Morgantown Pride on Facebook.
Anyone interested in joining the meeting for the first time or to get more information can email raisingtranskids@gmail.com.
Project Rainbow
Project Rainbow provides shelter and support services to vulnerable young folks in the LGBT community who come from all across WV. They need our support. Follow this group on Facebook.
Scotts Run
Community sing: This event will occur on December 23 at 6:00 p.m. at the Ferry House, 88 Lazzelle Union Road, Maidsville. It is right across from the railroad bridge entering Scotts Run. You do not have to be from Scotts Run to participate. It is for everyone, from anywhere, and for all ages!
Morgantown Mutual Aid Fair
This event will be on Thursday, December 12 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church Gym, 456 Spruce Street, Morgantown. “Individuals will be able to get assistance with basic resources and outreach services. Have services or resources to offer? We are seeking applications for outreach services and items that might be helpful to low to no income individuals. Contact Brian Butcher via email atbrian@wvhousingjustice.org or send us a direct message.” Follow this group on Facebook
Martin Luther King, Jr., Award Nominations
Nominations for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award are now open. The deadline to nominate is December 13th by 5:00 p.m. through WVU Engage. A nominee must reside in West Virginia, have established record of community involvement, and have demonstrated record working to fulfil the dreams and ideas of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The nominator must submit a completed nomination form to include a two page statement of support and two additional letters of recommendation. The recipient will accept the award at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Please scan the QR code (available here) or use this link for the MLK Achievement Nomination Form.
Martin Luther King, Jr., Day Breakfast
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast will be Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. in the WVU Mountainlair Ballrooms. Please note the change of day to Saturday, instead of Monday, January 20, in anticipation that people may have wanted to be in Washington, DC, for Inauguration Day. Union Leader and Community Organizer Tiffany Dena Loftin will be our Keynote Speaker. The Breakfast is free; however you must reserve your ticket. Tickets are available now. Please scan the QR code (available here) or use this link.
RDVIC (Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center)
The RDVIC is seeking entries for ‘Zine : We were pleased to welcome Kay Powney, the prevention educator for RDVID, to our November meeting. She is taking submissions until February of poetry, artwork, questions, and prose for a ‘zine entitled A Common Guide for Ending Sexual Violence . April is Sexual Awareness Month. Kay’s email is kaylam@rdvic.org.
WVU-associated news and activities
Go here for information.
