MORGANTOWN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
The next regular meeting should be Thursday, November 20, 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.
Blessing Boxes. Laura Fletcher, one of the members of the commission, has posted a google map of Blessing Boxes in northern West Virginia at https://www.morgantownwv.gov/272/Human-Rights-Commission . These are places where people can donate or take food and, maybe, other items as needed.
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS of morgantown / monongalia County (LWV-MM)
Thanks to Cynthia Nelson, the new secretary of the LWV-MM, for this report:
“The opposite of democracy is apathy.” Senator Andy Kim.
Voter turnout in West Virginia, sadly, is the definition of the above statement. According to Ballotpedia.org, only 55.5% of eligible voters turned out in the November 2024 general election compared to 64.1% nationally. Numbers in non-presidential elections in West Virginia were a dismal 35.4% in 2022.
There are almost 53,000 seats to be filled in November 2025 elections across the United States. While we do not have a November 2025 election in West Virginia, there are important races being decided across our borders in Pennsylvania and Virginia. If you are reading this newsletter across state borders, please participate in your elections and assist any community members that may have barriers to transportation getting to the polls. If you have friends and family in states with elections next week, encourage them to make their voice heard at the ballot box. It is certainly NOT a mandate of a single party’s agenda if voter participation can statistically prove otherwise.
The LWV-Morgantown/Monongalia is seeking a member to serve as board advisor and attend our meetings once per month to educate members on environmental issues. Environmental issues and protecting a sustainable future are League priorities and sadly our previous board member passed away last year. The League can then assist by promoting or opposing legislation and actions that the public should be aware of in real time with our Make Some Noise campaigns.
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, November 18 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.
The branch had a table at the No Kings rally at the Hazel Ruby McQuain Amphitheatre in Morgantown on October 18th.
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.
The church had a table at the No Kings rally at the Hazel Ruby McQuain Amphitheatre in Morgantown on October 18th.
There is a potluck every Sunday after the worship service.
Their Facebook page has a list of Monongalia County food pantries and blessing boxes and a “Grocery List” from the Scotts Run Settlement House of ways people can help by volunteering, donating to the pantry, or sponsoring a family for Thanksgiving or a child for Christmas.
Follow them at their website or on Facebook. The church is a member of the CCSJ.
monongAlia Friends
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."
“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
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.
Transgender Day of Remembrance. The LGBTQ+ Center, along with our partners, invite everyone to a vigil and social hour Tuesday, November 18, from 6:00-8:00 pm on the second floor of the Mountainlair. A solemn memorial will be held in honor of the lives lost this year followed by a celebration of community and joy with crafts, games, music and food. Support from Carruth will be available on-site. Special thanks to the LGBTQ+ Commission, the Carruth Center, The West Virginia Trans Coalition, and Morgantown Pride.
Scotts Run
Gospel and Soul Community Choir: This group will meet on Monday, November 24 and Monday, December 29 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at The Ferry House.
Repair Cafe: This event will be Saturday, November 8th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 at The Shack, 537 Blue Horizon Drive, Pursglove, WV.
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.
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, November 12, 6:00-8:00 pm. Ascend WV, 1279 University Avenue".
Another resource is Food Not Bombs , every Saturday at 4:30 pm, in front of Monkey Wrench Books. “Join us this Saturday at 4:30pm outside Monkey Wrench Books (214 High Street) for a tasty meal prepared by our comrades in Morgantown.
Want to help at one of these weekly meals? If you are interested in helping prep, cook, serve, or clean up after, sign up here or emailmorgantownFNB@proton.me. Signing up in advance helps the members know where coverage is needed.”
Morgantown Mutual Aid
T he Mon Group of the WV Chapter of the Sierra Club is hosting a forum of environmentally conscious people on the evening of November 6, 2025 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church, 456 Spruce Street, in Morgantown.
All are welcome. For more information contact wvscmongroup@gmail.com.
