First page of the Downtown Community Dialogues announcement

The primary purpose of these dialogues is to develop mutual understanding among a diverse group of community members to contribute to peaceful resolution of community conflict.  As a community member, if this speaks to you, please join us in these opportunities to build the community you desire.

Each dialogue is organized with two facilitators and a maximum of 25 people attending. Participants will be seated in a circle and each member will have an opportunity to speak to their concerns and issues.  We will give time at the end of the meeting for possible strategies, solutions, offers, and requests.  Please plan to arrive 15 minutes before the event starts to sign in, get a name tag, be seated and ready to start on time.

Our intention is to provide a safe space for listening to each other.  To that end, we are requesting that everyone in attendance adhere to the following guidelines:

* Stay with the facts (what people said or did) and your reactions/response.
* Stick to your own experience, rather than interpreting the motivations of others.
* Use common courtesy and respect. Refrain from labeling, blaming, profanity.  The facilitator will re-direct this into more effective communication.
* Keep your comments lean.