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NEW ULM -- The Human Rights Commission is moving forward with a plan to provide grants to people and organizations within New Ulm.
The plan, briefly introduced at their previous meeting, looks to provide individuals and organizations in New Ulm with grants based on their contributions to ensuring human rights are protected and forwarded within New Ulm. Commission member Kristi Sprenger explained what the next steps would be if the plan was approved and her opinion on the plan's viability.
"We would need to develop a grant program with an application process defining grant qualifications," she said. "We need to work within the existing budget and ask the City Council to approve the grant program once it’s been defined. It’s an option for one way to be involved in the community and utilize our funds. We’d have to go through this process if that’s something we wanted to pursue. Given how much money we have left over, I think we should."
Commission member Casey McMullen said she agreed with Sprenger, believing this is a positive idea. She said she wants the committee to be able to reward organizations who are making good progress in the different sectors the human rights commission covers.
"I think it’s a good idea to get more people involved in the community," McMullen said. "Get more organizations involved in the community and in this work, because no one can do it alone."
Commission member Obehioye Okojie agreed with Sprenger and McMullen. She added the grant program would also be a good way to increase awareness of the Human Rights Commission and what they represent.
McMullen asked what the next steps would be if a motion to approve this idea were made. Sprenger said Administrative Assistant Lisa Grathwohl would provide the necessary information and guidance on making this grant program a reality. Commission member Katie Dorschner made the motion and Okoije seconded.