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HomeMy WebLinkAbout[04g] Ruff, Cara [July 2010] pigrFIVED June 30, 2010 jut 0 1 7010 Hello Judy - This application says it will not save the data entered and when I print it all the info. I put into the boxes doesn't print out. Therefore 1 have attached the application 1 used for the City of St. Cloud — which contains the same information. Let me know if this is sufficient. Thank you! 1 look forward to hearing from you! Cara Ruff • City of St. Joseph Application for membership on the PO Box 668 Human Rights Advisory Commission St. Joseph, MN 56374 (320) 363 -7201 www.cityofstjoseph.com APPLICANT INFORMATION: Gender Name: Cara Ruff r Male tX Female Address: 33117 County Road 2, St. Joseph, MN 56347 If appointed to the Board, do you want this number to be made available to the public? Home Phone: 320 - 363 -1824 R. Yes r No If appointed to the Board, do you want this address to be made available to the public? Email: cararuff @yahoo.com (X Yes r No PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE: [Please describe in detail] Previous Governmental Bodies /Elective Office you have served on. [Include position /office held and dates) 1999 -2003 Statewide Independent Living Council • Appointed by the Governor for Membership to this Council • Reported and trained group on issues of disability • Represented all CIL's in cal-ct Civic or or Charitable Organizations to which you have belonged. (Include position/office held and dates] Founder and Executive Director for independent Lifestyles, Inc. a Center for Independent Living. 1997- Present (non profit service and advocacy organization for people of all disabilities.) Founder and Mentor for the Starfish Program with the Central MN Community Foundation. 2007 - Present. Created Mentoring program for women who have experienced domestic violence and /or sexual assault. Serve as Volunteer Administrator and Mentor. *AI,thnr of "AAalrinn a rliffaranr^a rinom <tar at a Tima" - nrnrnnrle fa mri Chic nrnnram 1 What special interests, skills, talents would you bring to the Board? a, `v rb: \X.&) Please explain why you want to become a member of the Human Rights Board. Do you or have a protected status as defined by MN Statute Chapter 363 entitled "Human Rights Act"? if yes, explain. no Have you ever used services provided by the State of Minnesota Human Rights Office? If yes, explain. no Is there any other information that you feel would be useful to the Committee when reviewing your application? e , Are you associated with any organization that may be deemed a conflict of interest in performing your duties, if appointed. If yes, explain. no ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: By signing below, I acknowledge that I am a resident of St. Joseph and the name as written at the top of this form is my true name by which 1 am commonly and generally known by in the community and that I have read and understand the powers and duties of the Human Rights Board. 4! I 30 / D Signature Date 1. PLEASE TELL US WHY YOIJ ARE INTERESTED IN APPLYING. I AM CONCERNED WITH THE RIGHTS OF OUR FELLOW CITIZENS AND THE LACK OF PROCESS AND OPPORTUNITY IN WHICH TO OBTAIN INFORMATION, RESOURCES AND MOST IMPORTANTLY RESOLUTION TO ISSUES, AND DISCRIMINATION. I FEEL THAT I HAVE A STRONG VOICE THAT I AM WILLING TO LEND ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHO FEEL THEY DO NOT HAVE ONE. I BEAR WITNESS TO MANY HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES ON A DAILY BASIS AND WOULD VALUE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THE CITY AND THE COMMUNITY IN ENSURING THAT THE ST. CLOUD COMMUNITY REMAINS ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO LIVE AND WORK. FOR ALL ....INCLUDING THOSE WHO ARE MARGINALIZED. 2. PLEASE TELL US Amur YOUR WORK EXPERIENCES. 1 HAVE BEEN A STRONG ADVOCATE AND COMMUNITY LEADER FOR THE PAST TWENTY YEARS. As THE FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF INDEPENDENT LIFESTYLES, INC. A CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING, I HAVE WORKED DILIGENTLY TO BREAK DOWN BARRIERS, BOTH ATTITUDINAL AND PHYSCIAL FOR ALL PEOPLE, BUT ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE ANY TYPE OF DISABILITY. MY WORK EXPERIENCES HAVE ALLOWED ME TO BUILD MY CAPACITY AND SKILLS IN ADVOCATING FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE COURTS, IN THE COMMUNITY AND WITH THE LEGISLATURE. I HAVE TRAINED THOUSANDS OF COMMUNITY LEADERS, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, BUSINESS LEADERS, LEGISLATORS, EDUCATORS AND HUMAN SERVICE PROFESSIONALS ON HUMAN RIGHTS, DISABILITY AWARENESS AND RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY. I AM WELL VERSED IN THE MANY ARAS THAT CONCERNS HUMAN RIGHTS AND HAVE ADVOCATED ON BEHALF OF NUMEROUS POPULATIONS. DUE TO THE WIDE SPAN OF SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE, I AM VERY AWARE AND CONNECTED TO ISSUES RELATED TO HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, EMPLOYMENT, DAILY LIVING, COMMUNITY EVENTS, SOCIAL ISSUES, RACE, DISABILITY AND POVERTY. EACH SEMESTER I AM ASKED TO TEACH CLASSES FOR THE SCSU SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT TO TEACH FUTURE HUMAN SERVICE PROFESSIONALS ABOUT SOCIAL JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING AN ADVOCATE. DUE TO MY WORK AND TEACHING INDIVIDUALS HOW TO ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES, I WAS HONORED IN BEING THE SECOND RECIPIENT OF THE PAUL AND SHEILA WELLSTONE AWARD FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE. 1993 to Present Minnesota Association of Centers for Independent Living. • President 2003 -2009 • Vice President 2002 -2004 • Secretary 1998 -2001 • Fund raising • Advocate for people with disabilities across Minnesota • Negotiate and comr unicate with State Departments and legislature 1999 -2003 Statewide Independent Living Council • Appointed by the Governor for Membership to this Council • Reported and trained group on issues of disability • Represented all CiL's in Minnesota 2000 to Present Disability Awareness Task Force- Central Minnesota • Founder and Chairperson • Built a commonalty wide collaborative consisting of fifteen plus agencies and entities throughout the community. • Secure participation and memberships. • Organize all meetings and facilitate numerous events and sub - committees • Secure funding and monitor requirements • Provide numerous public speaking engagements and public training. • Secure participation of community and business leaders, and legislators. • Oversee and authorize all events 1991 to 1999 MN Brain injury Association — Community Action committee. St. Cloud, MN • Chairperson of Community Action Committee from 19% to 2000. • Assisted with fund raising efforts • Support Group Faeilitatar six years • Provided education and training to collaborative. 1995 to 1997 Courage Center - St. Cloud community Council St. Cloud, MN. • Conference Speaker and facilitator • Community events pinning. 1994 to Present United Way of Central Minnesota. St. Cloud. MN. • United Way Speakers Bureau • Vice President of Director's Council/ Ex Oficio Board Member • Special Review Committee • President of Directors Council/Ex officio Board Member 7/04 -7/06 AWARDS * Employee of the Year "Award of Excellence" Center for Independent Living, 1995. • Outstanding Performance Award for five Years, CIL 1995. • Award for "Most Passion and Commitment ", CIL 1996. • "Leadership Award, CIL, 1996. • Leadership Award presented by the Disability Awareness Task Force 2001. • Leadership, Success, and Commitment Awarded by ILICIL Staff, August 2002. • *Paul and Sheila Wellston Award for Social Justice — given by the National Association of Social Work — June 2004 3. PLEASE TELL US ABOUT ANY PRIOR OR CURRENT a IYICJ.NVQLYEMENI IN 20071 CREATED THE STARFISH PROGRAM IN CONJUNCTION WITH TEhE CENTRAL. MN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AS A VOLUNTEER. THIS IS AN INTENSIVE MENTORING PROGRAM FOR WOMEN (OFTEN OF COLOR. AND/OR DISABLITY) WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR SEXUAL ASSAULT. AS A VOLUNTEER, I CONTINUE TO ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM AND MENTOR THE WOMEN, TEACHING THEM HEALTHY LIVING AND SELF ADVOCACY SKILLS WHILE ASSISTING THEM IN INTEGRATING WITH THE COMMUNITY IN A MEANINGFUL WAY. THESE WOMEN PARTICIPATE FOR 18 MONTHS IN THIS PROGRAM AND THE FIRST ROUND OF WOMEN HAVE GRADUATED. THROUGH MY PROGRAM, I REQUIRE THAT AS THE WOMEN BECOME INDEPENDENT, THEY GIVE BACK TO THE CQMMUNITY IN A MANNER, THAT THEY FIND MEANINGFUL. As A RESULT, I TAUGHT ONE PARTICIPANT HOW TO START HER OWN NON- PROFIT ORGANIZATION, "NEW HOPE AUTISM CENTER" WHICH NOW SERVES OUR COMMUNITY TODAY. I CONTINUE TO SERVE ON THIS ORGANIZATIONS BOAttn of DIRECTORS. 2009 Author: Making a Difference...One Star at a Time Book written about the Starfish Program and the M entoring Process. All proceeds go back to fund the Starfish Program. 2007 - current Founder and AdriuistratorlMentor: Starfish Program All work is done as a Volunteer • Created mentoring program for wonmen who have experienced domestic violence and/or sexual assault. • Created program, curriculum and community connections for the program. • Conduct Fundraiser and manage budgets • Serve; as the Administrator and Mentor to the women in the program. * * IN RECENT EFFORTS IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS TO TRY TO ORGANIZE A REGIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE, 1 HAVE TESTIFIED IN ST. CLOUD, WAITE PARK AND ST. JOSEPH ADVOCATING FOR THE NEED FOR SUCH AN OFFICE. OVER THE YEARS, 1 HAVE SERVED ON MANY TASK FORCES, COMMITTEES AND LENT MYSELF AS A SPEAKER ON SOCIAL JUSTICE. EACH YEAR I ALSO HOST NUMEROUS FOOD, CLOTHING AND GIFT DRIVES FOR THOSE IN POVERTY IN OUR COMMUNITY. 4. PLEASE TELL LW AS ' I IR EXICATIONAL EXPERIENCES. I AM A GRADUATE FROM ST. CLODUD. STATE UNIVERSITY AND A LICENSED SOCIAL WORKER. I VALUE THIS EDUCATION VERY MUCH, RUT QUITE HONESTLY, EVEN GREATER LEARNING HAS OCCURRED IN THE HALLS AT THE CAPITOL, THE INTENSIVE WORK WITH THOSE EXPERIENCING TRAUMA-GRIEF-POVERTY-DISCRIMINATION, THE DAY TODAY STRUGGLES TO MAKE PEOPLES LIVES BET AR AND MORE INCLUSIVE, AND IN THE FACES OF THOSE I HAVE DEDICATED MY CAREER IN SERVING. $. PLEASE' TELL OS AROVT om' "LIFE Rx, ENCES" TNAT'MA.Y NEAP YOU FULFILL A BOARD OR COMMISSION ?WHO . As STATED ABOVE, I HAVE DEDICATED BOTH MY PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL LIFE TO BEING OF SERVICE AND TO ADVOCATING FOR THOSE WHO NEED A VOICE WHILE TEACHING THEM HOW TO HAVE T13EIR OWN. 6. PLEASE TELL US WI AT TIME COMMITMENT YOU CAN PROVIDE YOUR BOARD OR COMMISSION BEYOND REGULAR MTING HAVE BEEN AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE VERY COMMITTED TO THESE ISSUES.. DON'T FEEL IT IS SOMETHING TO DO, BUT RATHER PART OF WHO I AM AS A PERSON AND A COMMUNITY LEADER. 1 AM WILLING AND EAGER TO DO WHAT IT TAKES TO BRING THIS COMMISSION ALIVE AND MAKE IT A STRONG AND RECOGNIZED ENTITY THAT MAY SERVE AS AN EXAMPE TO OTHER COMMUNITIES. T. PLEASE TELL GS ;MAT YOU MINK YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE 1 AM HAPPY TO WORK. ON SUBGROUPS, TESTIFY, CONDUCT PUBLIC TRAINING/SPEAKING, WORK ON .LEGISLATION, MEET W1T MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT MAY BE REQUIRE!) OF ME. 1 WOULD WELCOME ANY LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITITES THAT MAY ARISE FROM THIS AS I FEEL MY CHARACTER AND SENSE OF COMMITMENT WILL BE THE PERFECT MATCH FOR THESE ISSUES. 8. USE THIS SPACE AND THE NET PAGE TO PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. 1 VERY MUCH LOOK FORWARD TO THE OPPORTUNITES THAT THIS COMMISSION WILL BRING INCLUDING WORKING WITH THE MAYOR AND THE CITY. CHOOSE MEI 1 WON'T LET YOU DOWN!