General roles:

Policy research: Study impact of human rights crisis on the life chances of Berkeley residents. Project long-term outcomes of economic/ecological trends, and develop prudent policy options to positively transform Berkeley and the Bay Area. Work with government staff, academic leaders, non-profits, and policy institutes.

Action research: Interview people affected by police abuses and anti-homeless laws. Produce anecdotal testimony illuminating effect of anti-poor legislation and racial profiling. Help develop community plans to advance human rights.

Community organizing: Network with community-based organizations and progressive leaders from local governments and academia. Assist city commissioners to develop integrated, inter-disciplinary solutions to social problems.

Specific Role, 2018: Police accountability .

The role of the Commission is to advise the Berkeley City Council and the Berkeley school board on all matters relating to the City of Berkeley's role in issues of peace and social justice. Also, to help create citizen awareness around issues of social justice, to hold public hearings and community forums, and to develop ways to resolve conflict which do not involve violence.

Commissioners and community members are developing a campaign to create a more powerful police commission. This charter amendment will be on the Berkeley municipal ballot in November 2018.

Volunteers are needed to plan and execute a broad community organizing strategy to win majority support for this heightened level of civilian oversight over the police.

All skills and all types of engagement are needed: signature-gathering, fund-raising, public speaking, house-parties, coalition-building, letter-writing, research and analysis. Write your own job description and set your own schedule! We'll need your involvement through the whole year.