| What is
a Community Relations Council? |
The Community
Relations Council is a formal organization consisting of
representatives of all major interest and organized to work
together for common purposes. It involves the gathering
of individuals who want to resolve problems within a community.
Participation is voluntary, not compulsory, and the council's
common concern goes beyond the ability of any individual
citizen, family or organization to solve the problems of
community life.
Functions
of a Community Relations Council:
-
Encourage
inform citizen participation
-
Fact-finding
-
Develop
public understanding and support
-
Encourage
cooperative action
-
Follow
through on programs
A local Community
Relations Council may serve as a forum for the hearing of
citizen's grievances and complaints relative to human relations
with a view toward solving problems; a conciliation mechanism
between factions experiencing differences, and a bridge
between local officials and citizens. The local council
is a conciliatory body resolving tension, conflict, and
preventing problems of concern to the community before they
become a State or Federal crisis situation requiring official
intervention.
With regular
exchanges among community people and elected officials,
the council is able to identify and act on potential problems.
It is this close communication which makes it possible for
your community to put its energy in to solving potential
problems and using the resources of the community to solve
them.
The South Carolina
Human Affairs Commission has1 long recognized the fact that
harmonious relationships within our communities has always
been very important toward ensuring that a high quality
of life is available to everyone, regardless of his or her
position in life. Human Relations Councils, officially recognized
and chartered by SHAC, are comprised of individuals representing
diverse backgrounds who strive to bring about harmony, understanding
and mutual respect among the people of the community. SCHACRA
was designed to facilitate the efforts of all who
share a common goal . . . better community relations.
Community
Relations Central Forum
