The Council on Black Minnesotans Invites You to Attend A Community Issues Forum
Topic: Economic Development & Poverty Issues Impacting Black Minnesotans
Location: Hallie Q. Brown/MLK Community Center – 270 Kent, St. Paul, Minnesota October 14, 2008 – 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Mission: Since 1980 the Council on Black Minnesotans has been charged by the Minnesota State Legislature to advise the Governor and his administration, the Legislature, the Judiciary and other policy makers at all levels on issues impacting Minnesotans of African Heritage.
In response to this charge, the Council is presenting a series of Community Issues Forums that will focus on such issues as disparities and disproportionalities in the Minnesota Criminal Justice, Health, and Education, Economic and Children and Family systems. The first forum, held in August, was on Criminal Justice Issues. The Health forum was the second forum we sponsored. And, the third forum, on Economic Development Issues, is scheduled to be held on October 14, 2008, at MLK/Hallie Q. Brown Center in St. Paul (270 Kent Street).Please put this date on your calendar and Come and Participate.
Purpose of Forums: The Council is committed to creating, identifying, analyzing and disseminating policy oriented information essential to advancing people of African descent toward equity. More specifically, the Council will sponsor about four community issues forums. Through the use of dialogue and discussion, it is anticipated that these forums will educate residents of our communities, community policy makers, professionals, the CBM Board members and staff in our efforts to create and promote a Black Legislative/Policy agenda for 2009 and future years. It is also anticipated that greater collaboration will be promoted among key stakeholders through this process.
Forum Format: All community forums will have a similar format and rules of conduct:
• “Respect for all” will be the guiding philosophy for forum’s activities.
• “Rules of the game” will be explained by the facilitator.
• Appointment of a note taker – to capture the discussion and questions.
• Issue Presenters will provide an overview of the issue(s) and will have from five to ten minutes present their position/observations.
• After all presenters have made their presentations, a twenty (20) minute question and answer period will occur. Questions should be brief and to the point and be related to the presenter’s statements. Three by five cards might be used to solicit questions from the audience. Please, no speeches.
• Community Responses/Input/Discussion on their specific issue(s). Community participants will be allowed up to two minutes each to introduce an issue/solution. (Up to a maximum of twenty (20) minutes). Speakers are limited to one presentation, depending on available time and participation level. Please be brief and to the point.
• Evaluation/questionnaire. All program participants will be requested to complete a Forum Evaluation which will be handed out at beginning of forum. On this form, they will also be asked to identify, in priority order, their perception of the three most important issues facing Black Minnesotans and the three issues that they would like to see addressed in the Council’s Legislative/Policy Agenda for 2009 and Future Years.
