MORGANTOWN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
The next regular meeting should be Thursday, December 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.
"All are welcome to attend the Human Rights Commission’s International Human Rights Day celebration on Sunday, December 7th, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Aull Center (Garlow House), 351 Spruce Street, Morgantown. There will be cello and violin accompaniment, along with refreshments from Starbucks. We will also have a scaled-down version of our Human Rights Flags, Posters, and Arts Exhibition.
The International Human Rights Day (IHRD) Award Ceremony and Reception is the flagship event of the Morgantown HRC. IHRD is the anniversary of the United Nation's adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948; this year is its 77th anniversary. The Universal Declaration outlines the 10 fundamental rights that belong to every person, simply by being born human.
This event recognizes one individual and one organization that actively protects the human and civil rights of Morgantown residents.
The commission is pleased to announce that:
“Morgantown is rated as a Gold Star City for our LGBTQ+-friendly laws, policies, and practices. Citizens, be proud.
“ Every year, the Human Rights Campaign (“the Campaign”), a nationwide LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, rates U.S. cities on their efforts to promote equality and a nurturing environment for LGBTQ+ community members. Its results are published as the Municipal Equality Index (MEI).
“The Morgantown Human Rights Commission prepares the City’s MEI report each year.
On November 18th, the Campaign released scores nationally for the 2025 MEI. The score includes 100 Base Points and 22 FLEX Points. Even though there are 122 points available, 100 is considered a perfect score.
“Over 130 cities nationwide participate in the program. Morgantown has participated since its inception and consistently scores well. Six other West Virginia cities also participate.
“ This year, Morgantown knocked it out of the park. Only 7 cities scored higher than us: Madison (WI), 122 pts; Boulder (CO), 119 pts.; Seattle, 118 pts; Palm Springs (CA), 117 pts.; Virginia Beach (VA), 117 pts.; Denver, 116 pts; and Arlington County (VA), 116 pts. Five cities matched our score of 115 points: Chicago, Philadelphia, State College (PA), and Irvine (CA).
“Morgantown, West Virginia, ranked in the top 6% of participating cities. Ours is the only such score in a solidly Red State and the smallest city to achieve it. ”
You can read the report at https://morgantownwv.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6241/2025-MEI-Final-Morgantown-WV-1
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 League of Women Voters West Virginia has filed an amicus brief on behalf of West Virginia voters challenging the legislative override of the will of the voters by passing HB2275. This bill places the WV Board of Education under legislative control. In 2022 WV voters rejected Amendment 4 that would have authorized this authority. The will of constituents has been willfully ignored and overridden by our state government and LWV will always defend democratic processes and protect the will of the voters. This month’s substack has the complete story at lwvmorgantown.substack.com as well as other articles on what we are talking about.
WV-LLAW is gearing up to follow and inform the public of the WV Legislative session that begins on January 14, 2026. Please follow the informational Make Some Noise emails to our members and at League of Women Voters of West Virginia on Facebook. The LLAW team works tirelessly to uncover and expose the bills being introduced and the session. The focus of attention for LLAW is protecting children and families, voter access and strengthening democracy, environmental and sustainable future concerns and safeguarding equal rights.
Check out last year’s scorecard at LWVWV.org to find out how your representative voted on important issues in the 2025 session.
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, December 16 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 volunteered at Pantry Plus More on Thursday, November 20th.
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
Thanks to Linda Yoder for this report: “ Whether you’re looking for activities for the family or time for leaning into spiritual longing, there is something for everyone this Advent at Morgantown Church of the Brethren. Hope-themed services take place each Sunday at the church at 10:30, followed by potluck in the Fellowship Hall at around 11:45. And at 10:00 there is an intergenerational themed get-together time over coffee.
Sunday services are held at 10:30 a.m. in person and via Zoom with the link available here. Everyone is welcome.
· St. Nicolas’s Day Crafts - December 6th, 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM
· Christmas Caroling and Bonfire - December 12th, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
· Longest Night Service - December 21st, 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM
· Christmas Eve Potluck and Service - December 24th, Potluck @ 6:00 PM and Worship @ 7:30 PM
RSVP for St. Nicholas Day Crafts! "Join us from 9 AM to Noon on December 6th for various St. Nicolas Day themed crafts , including gingerbread house building and wreath making. Please RSVP at 724-320-8486, especially if you are interested in gingerbread or wreaths.”
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.
PW Holiday Cookie Sale. The sale will be from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13.
Annual Kids’ Christmas Pageant, Sunday, December 14 during worship.
“Sign Ups are available NOW in the parlor bulletin board or using this link”
Fairmont Pride
Their webpage is here and their Facebook page is here.
See photos of Fairmont Pride’s successful PRIDE month events here.
Holiday Party. Stumptown Ales & Lumberjaxe, Tuesday, December 16, 6:30-9:00 pm..
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. Currently the organization "Is On Break." Stay tuned for futher information in January.
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.
Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl, Friday, December 12, starts at 7 pm. Ugliest Sweater Contest, Santa’s Sack and Drag Show. Go here to get tickets.
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
Gospel and Soul Community Choir: This group will meet on Monday, December 29 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at The Ferry House.
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.
Appalachian Prison Book Project
You can Sponsor an Incarcerated Reader for $10 to cover the postage to send a free book to inmates in about 200 participating federal, state, and local facilities in west Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, and Teannessee. Go here from Tuesday, December 2 to Saturday, December 6 to join this effort. The fundraiser and holiday cheer event will culminate in a holiday wrapping party at the First Presbyterian Church, 456 Spruce Street, Morgantown, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 13.
