MORGANTOWN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
The next regular meeting should be Thursday, October 17th, 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.
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.
The League has information available about the upcoming election, including an updated colorful flyer for all voters, a fact sheet for students, and a fact sheet on voting absentee for voters with disabilities. To get copies, please contact Judy Ball at Balljk@aol.com . She is also teaching a class at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) on Voting in West Virginia that is open to OLLI members in person or on Zoom. There is also information on voting absentee on the League’s Facebook page as you can now submit an application for an absentee ballot.
T he League’s Facebook page has a statement from the League of Women Voters of West Virginia opposing Amendment 1 that is on the ballot this fall.
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
The next meeting will be on July 9th at 7:00 p.m. at the Friends Meeting House, 348 E. Brockway Avenue in Morgantown.
Consider wearing a T-shirt in honor of Women's Equality Day (August 26) and also bringing a dental hygiene item to donate! Here are some suggestions: toothbrush, toothpaste, and more toothpaste.
NOW has announced the rest of its 2024 Schedule:
Tuesday, October 8: Mixer, TBA, 7:00 pm;
Sunday, October 27: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. 3rd An nual Berlin-Style FUNdraiser, 131 Pleasant Street, Morgantown. “Join us at The Co-Op for our 3rd annual Berlin-style Ping Pong Tournament. All proceeds benefit Holler Health Justice. There will be nonstop ping pong plays, raffles, and much more. We will put the FUN in fundraising for a great cause.”
Tuesday, November 5: VOTE (Election Day)
Tuesday, November 12: Meeting at Friends Meeting House, Annual Meeting / Officer Elections, 7:00 p.m.
December: Mixer, TBA
"*This schedule is an attempt to plan out consistency for the year! We will do our best to stick to this schedule but everything is subject to change for extenuating circumstances."
Email this group at morgantownnow@gmail.com. Follow the group on Facebook or their website.
Morgantown-Kingwood Branch of the NAACP
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, October 15th 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.
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
There will be a meeting on Tuesday, October 22nd at 7:00 p.m.
Information is available here and on their Facebook page.
DISMANTLING RACISM TOGETHER
Dismantling Racism Together (DRT) will meet on Monday, October 21st at 7:00 p.m. by Zoom to hear Eve Faulkes’s presentation on West Virginians in Civil Rights as portrayed in a recent project she designed. The zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85962493623.
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 Joins CCSJ
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. Learn more about this work here.
The church posted this notice on its Facebook page:
“Volunteers Needed for the *NEW* Y.A.P.P. Network Kick-off Event🌈
“The *NEW* Y.A.P.P. (Youth and Parent Pride) Network is a community group formed for the purpose of building support and resources to nurture LGBTQIA+ youth and parents in the greater Morgantown area. Y.A.P.P. is currently focused on serving youth ages 11-14 and their families by providing a safe and positive space to connect with one another and with supportive community members and organizations. Y.A.P.P. will host its kickoff event on Sunday, October 20th from 5:30-7:30pm at the Wiles Hill Community Center. We are seeking volunteers for roles like set up, tear down, greeters, and snack providers for this event. If you feel led to serve, sign-up sheets are available on the bulletin board outside the church office. Please email Samantha Leggett-Bradley (sb00078@mix.wvu.edu ) with any questions.”
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."
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 emailraisingtranskids@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.
There will be a Spooky Drag Bingo on Saturday, October 12, at the Morgantown Art Party and Murder Mystery Dinner at 218 Walnut St, Morgantown, WV
MONONGALIA COUNTY CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER (MCCAC)
The mission of MCCAC is to advocate for children who have been abused or encountered other adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) by providing a child-friendly and safe environment where children and their families can be interviewed, supported, and healed.
Upcoming Events:
Battle of the Bartenders – November 19, 2024, 5:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Kegler’s Sports Bar, 735 Chestnut Ridge Road. “Four teams of two will compete to be the best - the team who raises the most money by the end of the night takes home a prize! “Stay tuned for further information about the teams.”
Girls’ Night Out – May 30, 2025.
Follow this group here or on Facebook. The Facebook page includes information on legislation of concern to the MCCAC through the West Virginia Child Advocacy Center.
Scotts Run
Community sing: This event happens every last Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at the Scott’s Run Settlement House, 41 Ladybug Drive in Osage. 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 is on October 10 at the First Presbyterian Church Gym, 456 Spruce St., Morgantown, WV 26505
This event will reoccur every month on the second Thursday from 6-8 p.m. 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.
Monongalia County Early Voting Sites Announced
You can start to make a plan to vote now. Early voting starts October 3rd and runs through November 2nd , Monday through Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to5:00 p.m. The will be four locations this fall: The County Election Center at Mountaineer Mall, 5000 Greenbag Road, near Anybody Fitness and the site of the old Goodwill Store for long-time residents; Mason-Dixon Historical Park, 79 Buckeye Road, Core, in the red barn; Suncrest Towne Centre 525 Suncrest Towne Centre Dr. next to First United Bank when coming from Stewartstown Road; and, new this fall, the WVU Art Museum Education Center, 20 Fine Arts Drive, with parking available in lot 51.
WVU-associated news and activities
Go here for information.
