MORGANTOWN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
The next regular meeting should be Thursday, October 18, 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)
Thanks to Cynthia Nelson, the new secretary of the LWV-MM, for this report:
In its 2025 Regular Session, the WV Legislature passed a new law that requires voters to present a photo ID for voting. HB 3016 changed the longstanding practice of voting in WV with an expansive list of acceptable voter IDs, some with and some without photos.
Beginning July 11, 2025, West Virginia voters must show an approved form of photo identification at the polls during early voting or on Election Day. All forms of ID must be valid and not expired.
The following forms of ID are acceptable at the polling place:
· West Virginia driver’s license or state-issued ID ·
· Driver’s license from another state
· U.S. passport or passport card
· Employee ID with photo issued by local, state, or federal government
· Student ID with photo from a WV institution of higher education or a WV high school
· U.S. military ID with photo
· Voter registration card with photo issued by a WV county clerk or the WV Secretary of State
· An ID issued by the DMV without a photo for voters who swear and affirm that they belong to recognized religious communities that prohibit them from being photographed
Please be aware of the new law and assist anyone in your community that may need assistance obtaining a valid photo identification to vote in the spring of 2026. Note that the county clerk is a source for free photo voter picture identification.
For additional information pertaining to absentee voter requirements and requirement for 1st time voters visit wvsos.gov.
The League of Women Voters of Morgantown-Monongalia County is a constituent member of West Virginia Women Vote (WVWV) and a member of the CCSJ. The group invites everyone to subscribe to LWV-MM's Substack. A subscription gets you automatic updates. And it's free.
Follow this group on Facebook and contact them by email at lwvmorgantown@gmail.com. Interested in joining the League of Women Voters? Join online.
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.
Email this group at morgantownnow@gmail.com.
Morgantown-Kingwood Branch of the NAACP
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, October 21 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.
We appreciate the fact that the Branch shares the CCSJ Update with its membership.
Morgantown Civilian Police Review Advisory Board Needs One Member
The City of Morgantown is currently accepting applications for one vacancy 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. Thanks to Linda Yoder for this report.
Morgantown Church of the Brethren will be celebrating the Season of Creation during worship from August 31 through October 5, with St. Francis in mind.
There is a potluck every Sunday after the worship service.
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.
monongAlia Friends
The community is welcome to join Monongalia Friends Meeting for World Quaker Day 2025 at 648 E. Brockway Ave., Morgantown! If you have ever been curious about what Quakers do this is a great opportunity. We will start the morning with hot beverages at 10:30 followed by about 20 minutes of silent worship in the manner of Friends at 11. We will then present a documentary about the World Plenary Meeting of Quakers which weaves together the themes of spirituality, reparations and world ecology with a discussion to follow. At 12:30 lunch will be served by members of the meeting.
*Handicap ramp available
*First floor gender neutral restroom
First Day meetings are at 11:00 a.m. at 648 E. Brockway, Morgantown. Contact them at monquakers@gmail.com.
Monongalia Friends Meeting is a member organization of CCSJ.
First Presbyterian Church, Morgantown:
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.
"It is a value of First Presbyterian Church that when we gather, we welcome one another just as God loves us, without any conditions.
No matter who you are or where you’re from
No matter where you live or work
No matter your family of origin or ethnicity
No matter who you love or how you identify, or wherever you are on your spiritual journey
We welcome you just as God loves you, without any conditions."
World Communion Sunday Potluck Luncheon - Sunday, Oct. 5 The Deacons are pleased to invite everyone to a Potluck luncheon following the church service on World Communion Sunday, October 5th. If you are able, please bring a favorite dish or dessert to share with others. Drinks will be provided by the Deacons, so there is no need to bring beverages. If you have any questions about the event or need further details, please reach out to Becky Hayes at 304-541-3696 or Holly Thomas at 304
203-3888.
Help out at the WVU Campus Food Garden in Westover. Every Monday from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Through September 12, the church had donated 924 pounds of produce to groups like Pantry Plus and the Community Kitchen. Please check the church’s Facebook page for updates in case of inclement weather.
“Sign Ups are available NOW in the parlor bulletin board or using this link”
Fairmont PFLAG
Information is available here and on their Facebook page.
There are many events listed on the Facebook page.
Fairmont Pride
Their webpage is here and their Facebook page is here.
See photos of Fairmont Pride’s successful PRIDE month events here.
DISMANTLING RACISM TOGETHER
"Bringing Cultural Competency to WV Workplaces” will be the topic. While unconscious bias can disrupt a workplace, cultural competency and allyship skills can help prevent rifts and help ensure productivity. Hear how all of that affects the workplace at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20, during Dismantling Racism Together's October Zoom program. Featured speakers are Tony Michael and Denis Scott. As WVU Extension Service faculty members, they have earned recognition for teaching cultural competency and allyship to public sector workers throughout West Virginia. Join the conversation at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20, via Zoom. The link is here.
For more information about the group please go to their website or Facebook or email dismantlingracismtogether@gmail.com or contact rebeccarodd@yahoo.com.
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
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 group usually meets the last Monday of the month.
MONONGALIA COUNTY CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER (MCCAC)
Follow this group at its website or on Facebook. According to its January newsletter, in 2024 MCCAC provided services to 945 clients, educated 1,476 community members on vital issues surrounding child safety, conducted 223 forensic interviews, facilitated 953 therapy sessions, and provided 5,326 advocacy services.
“Scarecrow Spectacular 2025” She’s got feathers, flair, and a cause to care about!
The Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center’s “showgirl” scarecrow is dazzling at the West Virginia Botanic Garden this fall, highlighting Girls' Night Out 2026: Lights. Glamour. Vegas.
Stop by and strike a pose with her!"
See below for more information on this upcoming event.
Vegas is calling and so is Girls Night out 2026! This year’s theme is Lights, Glamour, Vegas ---and we can’t wait to bring the glitz, sparkle and unforgettable fun of the Boulevard right here to Morgantown. Tickets will be available soon. Grab your girlfriends and get ready for show stopping style and Vegas vibes; entertainment, auctions, and surprises; a night out that gives back to children in our community. Location: Erickson Alumni Center.
Morgantown Mutual Aid
Follow this group on Facebook. We are happy to be coordinating more with this group now.
This group advertises many community resources on its Facebook page, including Community Wrapping Parties. "Help us wrap books to send to incarcerated people in Appalachia, October 15, November 12, 6:00-8:00 pm. Ascend WV, 1279 University Avenue".
MORGANTOWN FOOD NOT BOMBS
Everyone welcome. Providing free community meals to the people of Morgantown every Saturday at 4:30 pm in front of Monkey Wrench Books. Volunteers needed! #Solidarity Not Charity
