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Home My WebLink About[03b] Lindsey Jeanne Gunnerson Gutsch, Human Rights CommissionPage 1 of 4 Print Board and Commission Application - Submission #2135 Date Submitted: 2/8/2016 Name* Lindsey Jeanne Gunnerson Gutsch Address* 916 11th Avenue South City* State* Zip* rcloud MN 56301 Phone:(Rome)* 6127506142 Email: lindseyigunnerson@gmail.com Phone: (Work/Cell) 6127508142 PLEASE INDICATE HTE BOARD(S) AND COMMISSION(S) ON WHICH YOU WOULD LIKE TO SERVE. http://ci.stcloud.mn.us/Admin/FonnCenter/SubmissionsBu]kPrint?id=l 13&cateeorvID=12... 5/4/2016 Page 2 of 4 Bosrds/Commissions* ❑ Airport Advisory Board ❑ Arts Commission ❑ Board of Examiners for Mechanical Installers ❑ Building Advisory Board ❑ Civil Service Board ❑ Convention Center Advisory Board ❑ Economic Development Authority ❑ Health & Housing Advisory and Appeals Committee ❑ Heritage Preservation Commission ❑ Housing & Redevelopment Authority Board ❑ Park & Recreation Board Planning Commission Plumbing Board ❑ Police Citizen Review Board ® Regional Human Rights Commission ❑ Retired & Senior Volunteer Advisory Board ❑ St. Cloud Public Library Board ❑ Transportation Infrastructure Advisory Committee El Whitney Senior Center Advisory Board Ll Zoning Board of Appeals PLEASE TELL. US WHY YOU ARE INTERESTED IN APPLYING. I am interested in serving on the Regional Human Rights Commission because I believe that the responsibilities of this commission are not only essential in ensuring our community members are treated fairly and provided equal opportunities, but it is also a mission I am personally passionate about. As someone who initially came to St. Cloud as a student, and has now transitioned to a permanent resident, I have experienced and have been witness to incidents in St. Cloud and the surrounding communities that have caused damage to the safe living and working community I know St. Cloud has the potential of being. I believe that initiatives, such as the Regional Human Rights Commission, are vital to a thriving, diverse community and I want to be a part in achieving that within the community of St. Cloud. PLEASE TELL l'S ABOUT YOUR WORK EXPERIENCES. I am currently employed at St. Cloud State University in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions where I am responsible for the recruitment of new and transfer students. In this role, I have learned that I am not only recruiting students to our university, but am also recruiting them as future community members of the City of St. Cloud. Prior to working in admissions, I was employed for about a year by the non-profit True Friends out of Annandale, Minnesota. In this position, I was responsible for the management of our donor database as well as the fund raising of approximately $50,000 from our Tribute Program. http://ci.stcloud.mn.us/Admin/FonnCenter/SubmissionsBulkPrint?id=113&cateunrvTT)=t? aid/,)AIA Page 3 of 4 PLEASE TELL US ABO17T AN V PRIOR OR CURRENT CIVIC INVOLVEMENT. I am a strong advocate of altruism and civic involvement, thanks to opportunities I was fortunate enough to have been given several years ago. I believe that my passion for volunteerism began when I was selected to serve as the head ambassador for my hometown of Annandale, Minnesota. In this role, I spent a year traveling the state of Minnesota attending community festivals, participating in volunteer opportunities, promoting local events, and representing the community of Annandale. After this experience, volunteering became a good habit that I continued through my undergraduate years of college, to the present. Some of my experiences have included weekly volunteering at St. Benedict's Senior Community in St. Cloud, volunteering as a member of Husky Volunteers for Science where I made monthly visits to Oak Hill Elementary as science tutors, serving as a notetaker for the disability services center at St. Cloud State University, assisting with College Knowledge Month to help local high school students complete college applications, and also volunteering with Minnesota College Goal to provide free financial workshops to community members that need assistance with filing their FAFSA to attend college. PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOUR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES. I am a 2015 graduate of St. Cloud State University, where I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Women's Studies and a minor in Human Relations. I returned to St. Cloud State University in the Fall of 2015 to begin the completion of a Master of Science degree in Higher Education Administration. PLEASE TFIJ. I"S ABOUT ANY "LIFE, EXPERIENCES" THAT'.11AY HELP TOL' FULFILL A BOARD OR COMMISSION POSITION. I believe a have two specific "life experiences" that would make me an asset on the Human Rights Commission. First, my experiences I had during the completion of my degree in Women's Studies and Human Relations has well equipped me to be of service to my community. During my studies, I completed two different internships and worked on several different activism projects that have provided perspective on how to best advocate for others and myself. In my internship with the City Administrator's office, 1 worked collaboratively with the city's ADA compliance officer to check the compliance of city -owned buildings in St. Cloud. Responsible for provided knowledge based insight regarding ADA and Minnesota Disability laws. Participating in the drafting, writing, and publishing of an overall ADA self-evaluation and transition plan for the city that supports the city's comprehensive facilities plan to ensure that people of all abilities can navigate our city. In my internship with St. Cloud State University's Women's Center, I spent five months with the focus on learning how the role of Women's Centers fits into the bigger picture of Higher Education experiences. I assisted in programming, development, and revenue generating efforts across campus and in the community. I organized Spring 2014 Women on Wednesday weekly programming that consisted of speakers and panelists addressing women's issues. I placed an additional emphasis on women in the workplace issues and women in pop culture issues; helped organized the Pay Equity "Unhappy" Hour to raise awareness about the gender pay gap. Assisted in organizing an LGBT Body Image Panel on campus to raise awareness about eating disorders and image pressures within the LGBT community. My second "life experience" that I believe qualifies me for this position is that I served as St. Cloud State University's Student Body President and Vice President. In these two positions, I was responsible for representing the needs of and voicing the concerns of over 15,500 students. I believed it was my duty to hear from, learn from, and advocate for all perspectives; I always did my best to ensure that no student request was overlooked. With this experience, I am confident in my abilities of providing a safe space for people from all backgrounds to voice concerns as well as assuring that they know their needs are a priority in our community. http://ci. stcloud.mn.us/Admin/FormCenter/SubmissionsBulkPrint?id=113&category1D=12... 5/4/2016 Page 4 of 4 PLEASE TEILL LS WII TP TIME COMMITMENT YOU CAN PROVIDE YOUR BOARD OR COMMISSION BEYOND REGI'LAR MEETINGS. I am available to meet any evening of the week, as well as most weekends. My Master's program is on an every other weekend schedule, so this would be my only other major time commitment. PLEASE TELL CS WHAT YOU THINK YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE. I believe I am fully equipped with the tools needed to engage a diverse community when it comes to race, gender, class, religion, ability, background, and perspective not only because of my educational background and experiences, but because of several other training opportunities I have taken advantage of such as LGBT Safe Space Training, Community Anti -Racism Education Initiative Workshops, and Suicide prevention Trainings. I also believe I provide a unique perspective as a student that transitioned into a community member that now calls St. Cloud home. USE THIS SPACE TO PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. Thank you for your considerationl BY ACCEPTING ]HIS APPOINTMENT I AGREE TO ABIDE BY AND PRACTICE THE HIGIIEST STANDARDS OF ETHICAL COND17CT FOR P17BLIC OFFICIALS. IN PARTICULAR, I AGREE THAT I WILL. NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY DECISION OR, IF IN AN ADVISORY CAPACITY, MAKE ANY RECOMMENDATION FROM WHICH I OR MY FAMILY WORLD DIRECTLY BENEFIT PERSONALLY OR FINANCIALLY. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY OR CONFLICT OF INTEREST CAN DAMAGE THE REPUTATION OF THE CITY AS WELL AS MY INDIVIDUAL. REPUTATION. I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS A FUNDAMENTAL PUBLIC EXPECTATION THAT PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND PUBLIC SERVANTS WILL NOT OBTAIN FAVOR OR ADVANTAGE BECAUSE OF THEIR PUBLIC SERVICE. IT IS WITH THESE VALUES IN MIND THAT I FURTHER AGREE THAT I \VILL NOT ENGAGE IN A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CITY" DURING THE TERM OF MY APPOINTMENT. httr)://ci.stcloud.mn.us/Admin/FormCenter/Suhmissinnc/RidkPrint')ir1=1cIAMCW14