HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-15-2024 Human Rights Commission
RESULTS: Survey of Iowa City Human Rights Commissioners
Preparation for Strategic Planning
October 9, 2024
O VERVIEW
This survey was distributed to Iowa City Human Rights Commissioners and available online for 2.5
weeks. Six Commissioners provided responses.
I NTRODUCTION FOR R ESPONDENTS
Given the desire of the Iowa City Human Rights Commission to develop a new strategic plan for the
coming three years, we are beginning the process with a survey to gather reflections on the current
state of the Commission and human rights in Iowa City, as well as ideas for future work. We will use the
responses to this survey to help design upcoming strategy discussions. Your input is valued, and we
appreciate the time you spend providing it.
We estimate this survey will take 11 minutes to complete, and responses are anonymous. Thank you
very much for your time and input.
C OLLECTED I NSIGHTS
Following are the key ideas for each of the 13 survey items. Full survey responses are included later in
this report.
The current state of human rights in Iowa City:
spectrum, from improving to declining.
Half of the comments focused on aspects of the Human Rights Commission itself that
respondents view as important: diversity and inclusivity, as well as a desire to see consistent
activity and continuity across cohorts of Commissioners.
External factors cited by respondents in the comments include the negative impact of new
legislation on civil rights, the positive impact of local developments including free bus service
and more support organizations, and a perceived lack of boldness by the city council.
How welcoming Iowa City is to the full diversity of its residents and visitors:
Respondents generally view Iowa City as a welcoming place.
Respondents acknowledge that some people experience microaggressions and prejudice despite
the overall welcoming nature of the community.
p. 1
Public opinion of the Commission:
Respondents believe the Iowa City Human Rights Commission is generally viewed in a positive
light.
Human rights concerns of community residents:
Each respondent named different human rights concerns expressed by Iowa City residents. That
is, there does not seem to be a single overarching issue of concern; the concerns are many and
varied.
The degree to which the Commission fulfills its primary duties:
Respondents indicate that the duty the Commission best fulfills is administering the Racial
Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant program.
Respondents believe the Commission fulfills the duty to coordinate programs that reduce
various intergroup tensions least well of its duties.
Framing question from the previous strategic planning process (LƒğŭźƓĻ ƷŷğƷͲ ĬǤ źƷƭ ЏЎƷŷ ğƓƓźǝĻƩƭğƩǤ
ΝЋЉЋБΞͲ ƷŷĻ LƚǞğ /źƷǤ IǒƒğƓ wźŭŷƷƭ /ƚƒƒźƭƭźƚƓ źƭ ƷŷĻ ŷǒĬ ƚŅ ğ ƩƚĬǒƭƷͲ ƌƚĭğƌ ŷǒƒğƓ ƩźŭŷƷƭ ƓĻƷǞƚƩƉ͵
ŷğƷ Ǟƚǒƌķ ƷŷğƷ ƌƚƚƉ ƌźƉĻͪΜʹ
The framing question used for the last round of strategic planning may be a useful jumping-off
point to develop a new guiding question for the current round of planning.
It may be useful to the current planning effort to spend some time as a group clarifying what the
desired future of human rights in Iowa City looks like.
Breaking Bread: Bringing people together to learn from one another and practice creating community
across previous lines of tension; focusing on individuals:
While the respondents, on average, felt some progress has been made in this area, it is not
viewed as substantial.
Respondents rate progress in this strategic focus area second of the three.
Regular Reciprocal Relationships: Developing deeper relationships with other community
organizations to more effectively advance human rights in our community:
While respondents indicate there has been some progress in this area, it is not very significant.
It is the strategic focus area that respondents believe has seen the least progress of the three.
Bridging the Gap: Developing stronger individual and collective relationships with the city council:
Respondents indicate that this strategic focus area has seen the most progress of the three.
Activities or programs with the greatest positive impact:
Respondents listed three activities or programs they view as having the greatest positive impact on
advancing human rights in the community:
The Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant program
p. 2
Attending and tabling at human rights-related events
Providing informational and training resources in various forms
Ideas for future human rights-related programs, projects, or events:
Some respondents prioritized continuing existing activities or programs for the future, including:
The RESJ Grant program
Providing training opportunities
Public Human Rights Awards.
Other respondents named ideas for new activities and programs, including:
Greater participation in human rights activities by residents
Awareness-creating outreach to schools and other organizations in the form of talks
Development of programs that promote strong intergroup relations
Current programming that should be considered for discontinuation:
Respondents did not identify any current programming they believe should be considered for
discontinuation.
Human rights issues Iowa City should be prepared to address in the next five years:
Each respondent named different human rights issues they believe will be important to address in the
next five years. These might be grouped into three categories:
A wide range of issues that impact human rights, from housing to accessing healthcare
The harmful impact of legislation on human rights
p. 3
S URVEY I TEMS
1) Which of the following best describes your perception of the state of human rights in Iowa City?
Briefly, please share the reason you chose this response.
Given the legislation becoming law and its direct impact on residents in our community-ie DEI,
LGBTQ, and women rights
Seeing bus services how it makes more equitable opportunities, more refugee and immigrant
support organizations etc
I believe when there is a turnover in membership, there is lack of ownership to document or
plan developed by the outgoing members.
I have heard that it was dominantly consisted of commissioners who mostly were aligned with
the mainstream Western narrative only. Now, we have a more diverse commission with active
members who are working to humanize what previously was neglected or forgotten.
City Council unwilling to push beyond status quo
KEY IDEASThe current state of human rights in Iowa City:
spectrum, from improving to declining.
Half of the comments focused on aspects of the Human Rights Commission itself that
respondents view as important: diversity and inclusivity, as well as a desire to see consistent
activity and continuity across cohorts of Commissioners.
p. 4
External factors cited by respondents in the comments include the negative impact of new
legislation on civil rights, the positive impact of local developments including free bus service
and more support organizations, and a perceived lack of boldness by the city council.
2) How welcoming do you believe the Iowa City area is to people of all origins, identities, beliefs, means,
and abilities?
Briefly, please share the reason you chose this response.
Iowa City is different than how the state of Iowa focuses on community strength, diversity and
inclusion
Being a college town, it has more open-minded people; yet microaggressions and lack of cultural
humility are still very common.
I believe Iowa city is the most welcoming and diverse area in the state of iowa.
Immigrants from various countries are living among us, and we are surrounded by people of
diverse beliefs and backgrounds. Compared to other cities, Iowa City is visibly housing and
funding more foreign people.
IC has a diverse population when students are here; generally the community is welcoming
though many continue to experience prejudice.
p. 5
KEY IDEASHow welcoming Iowa City is to the full diversity of its residents and visitors:
Respondents generally view Iowa City as a welcoming place.
Respondents acknowledge that some people experience microaggressions and prejudice despite
the overall welcoming nature of the community.
3) In your interactions with the public when you are representing the Iowa City Human Rights
Commission, what seems to be the public opinion of the Commission?
Optional comments:
Members of the Commission are very respected and valued in the community.
Some have never heard of the Commission, and the majority ofthe ones who did hear of it have
common questions I get from the people especially from minorities.
p. 6
My public interactions are not frequent as a Commissioner but when I name my being a
Commissioner, I am welcomed a people want to know more.
KEY IDEASPublic opinion of the Commission:
Respondents believe the Iowa City Human Rights Commission is generally viewed in a positive
light.
4) What are the most common human rights concerns Iowa City residents have expressed to you?
Legislation impact
Healthcare; financial inequities; racism; discrimination for LGBTQ+ populations.
War in the Middle East, Election and lies about immigrants, just to name a few.
Some believe that some immigrants and minorities are playing the system by maintaining low
wages to continue receiving aids and assistance which results in draining resources and in
creating a financial burden on the community. Granting the rights of financial aids seems to be
unfair to some who really needs, those who are hardworking with multiple jobs and yet are
struggling to provide for the families and are not eligible for assistance or benefits.
Safety and protection of transgender residents
Employment and Housing
KEY IDEASHuman rights concerns of community residents:
Each respondent named different human rights concerns expressed by Iowa City residents. That
is, there does not seem to be a single overarching issue of concern; the concerns are many and
varied.
p. 7
5) The primary duties of the Iowa City Human Rights Commission are listed below. Please rate the
degree to which you believe the Commission fulfills each duty.
Weighted Average
Duty
(out of 5)
Make recommendations to the City
Council on organizations that should
4.83
receive funding from the Racial Equity
and Social Justice Grant
Cooperate with other agencies and
organizations in support of the Human 4.33
Rights Ordinance
Educate the public on human rights and
4.17
illegal discrimination
Make recommendations to City Council
3.83
for policy related to discrimination
Coordinate programs designed to
eliminate racial, religious, cultural, and 3.67
other intergroup tensions
Optional comments:
We can always do better.
Commissioners are fully invested in the recommendations for SHRE Grants.
KEY IDEASThe degree to which the Commission fulfills its primary duties:
Respondents indicate that the duty the Commission best fulfills is administering the Racial
Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant program.
Respondents believe the Commission fulfills the duty to coordinate programs that reduce
various intergroup tensions least well of its duties.
p. 8
6) During the last round of strategic planning, the Commissioners used a framing question to guide the
discussion. A framing question is a tool of appreciative inquiry that invites a group to vividly imagine
together a future they would like to co-create. Rather than focusing on perceived problems, it directs
focus toward the positive future and fosters shared understanding and enthusiasm for the future. The
framing question used in 2022 was this:
Ʒŷ
LƒğŭźƓĻ ƷŷğƷͲ ĬǤ źƷƭ ЏЎğƓƓźǝĻƩƭğƩǤͲ ƷŷĻ LƚǞğ /źƷǤ IǒƒğƓ wźŭŷƷƭ /ƚƒƒźƭƭźƚƓ źƭ ƷŷĻ ŷǒĬ ƚŅ ğ
ƩƚĬǒƭƷͲ ƌƚĭğƌ ŷǒƒğƓ ƩźŭŷƷƭ ƓĻƷǞƚƩƉ͵ ŷğƷ Ǟƚǒƌķ ƷŷğƷ ƌƚƚƉ ƌźƉĻͪ
In your view, how useful would this question be in guiding the strategic planning discussion this fall?
If you think a different question would be more useful, please share it here.
What kind city, do we envision for our children when we talk humans rights?
KEY IDEASFraming question from the previous strategic planning process:
The framing question used for the last round of strategic planning may be a useful jumping-off
point to develop a new guiding question for the current round of planning.
It may be useful to the current planning effort to spend some time as a group clarifying what the
desired future of human rights in Iowa City looks like.
p. 9
7) The 2022 strategic plan included three primary areas of work. The first is Breaking Bread: Bringing
people together to learn from one another and practice creating community across previous lines of
tension; focusing on individuals.
Please rate the progress you think the Commission has been able to make in this area since 2022.
Optional comments:
KEY IDEASBreaking Bread: Bringing people together to learn from one another and practice creating
community across previous lines of tension; focusing on individuals:
While the respondents, on average, felt some progress has been made in this area, it is not
viewed as substantial.
Respondents rate progress in this strategic focus area second of the three.
p. 10
8) The second primary area of work in the 2022 strategic plan is Regular Reciprocal Relationships:
Developing deeper relationships with other community organizations, including human rights
nonprofits, other government commissions, and schools to more effectively advance human rights in
our community.
Please rate the progress you think the Commission has been able to make in this area since 2022.
Optional comments:
None provided
KEY IDEASRegular Reciprocal Relationships: Developing deeper relationships with other community
organizations to more effectively advance human rights in our community:
While respondents indicate there has been some progress in this area, it is not very significant.
It is the strategic focus area that respondents believe has seen the least progress of the three.
p. 11
9) The third primary area of work in the 2022 strategic plan is Bridging the Gap: Developing stronger
individual and collective relationships with the city council.
Please rate the progress you think the Commission has been able to make in this area since 2022.
Optional comments:
None provided
KEY IDEASBridging the Gap: Developing stronger individual and collective relationships with the city
council:
Respondents indicate that this strategic focus area has seen the most progress of the three.
p. 12
10) Please name one or two activities or programs of the Iowa City Human Rights Commission that you
believe has/have had the greatest positive impact on advancing human rights in the community.
The grant provides a consistent support for ideas to become a reality
Human rights awards and RESJ
Attending and tabling during events that addresses historical and current oppression that
minorities and immigrants were and are subjected to. Having a Human Rights Commission in
such events brings hope and dignity to those who are directly impacted.
RESJ Grant, presence at community events
The resources and webinars and trainings provided by the Office of Equity and Human Rights
KEY IDEASActivities or programs with the greatest positive impact:
Respondents listed three activities or programs they view as having the greatest positive impact on
advancing human rights in the community:
The Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant program
Attending and tabling at human rights-related events
Providing informational and training resources in various forms
11) Please share your ideas and dreams for future human rights-related programs, projects, or events in
Iowa City.
Residents participate more regularly
Going to organizations, schools and giving talks/creating awareness.
Racial Equity and Social Justice Grants
experience intergroup differences due to its diverse residents, it should have initiatives and
programs that promote safety, good inter-group relations, and a sense of belonging to all
residents.
Larger, more public ceremony for Human Rights Awards
Continue to provide learnings, trainings and webinars
KEY IDEASIdeas for future human rights-related programs, projects, or events:
Some respondents prioritized continuing existing activities or programs for the future, including:
The RESJ Grant program
Providing training opportunities
Public Human Rights Awards.
Other respondents named ideas for new activities and programs, including:
Greater participation in human rights activities by residents
Awareness-creating outreach to schools and other organizations in the form of talks
Development of programs that promote strong intergroup relations
p. 13
p. 14
12) If there are any programs, projects, or events the Iowa City Human Rights Commission currently
conducts that you believe should be considered for discontinuation, please share that here.
N/a
None.
Nothing that I know of
KEY IDEASCurrent programming that should be considered for discontinuation:
Respondents did not identify any current programming they believe should be considered for
discontinuation.
13) Reflect on what you have experienced and observed in our community and region. What do you
think will be an important human rights issue that our community should be prepared to address in the
next five years?
Knowing your rights as a resident
DEI
Health Care disparities
Homelessness and shelter houses capacity. No one should live in the street. A wholesome
project should be built to eradicate homelessness while integrating able ones into the work
force and refer those who are not into a care unit or organization that can house them in a
dignified manner.
Reproductive rights, transgender rights, immigrant rights
RFRA in Iowa is blatant legalized discrimination in Iowa
KEY IDEASHuman rights issues Iowa City should be prepared to address in the next five years:
Each respondent named different human rights issues they believe will be important to address in the
next five years. These might be grouped into three categories:
A wide range of issues that impact human rights, from housing to accessing healthcare
The harmful impact of legislation on human rights
p. 15