Sign-up Deadline Today for Free Dinner, Forum on Violence Prevention

The registration deadline is today (Friday) to attend a free dinner and forum in Roseville on violence prevention and how to create a safer, more connected community. 

Sponsored by the Roseville Human Rights Commission, the dialogue gathering will be held at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday (April 30) at the Roseville Skating Center, 2661 Civic Center Drive. A second session is scheduled for May 14 also at the same time at the Skating Center. 

To register for the dialogue(s), email human.rights@ci.roseville.mn.us or call 651-792-7026.

City Human Rights Commission Chairman Gary Grefenberg said his group is organizing the dialogue sessions in response to high-profile examples of national violence including the shootings of grade-school children at Newtown, Connectticut and the recent Boston Marathon bombings. 

"This is the first time a city commission has attempted to hear from residents on such a life-and-death issue outside of the normal public hearing or workshop directed by consultants," Grefenberg told Roseville Patch. "We have consultants, but their role is only to facilitate. (discussion)."

The dialogue meetings are being primarily supported by a $2,500 grant from the Bush Foundation.  The role of the trained consultants is " to encourage, facilitate, and capture what residents believe regarding the safety of their schools,  neighborhoods, and community, Grefenberg said.

Discussion will be on these two questionsa:

    When have you felt safe and connected in your community, however you define community?

     How might we foster a safe and connected Roseville, both individually and collectively in our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and more?

"This dialogue is a unique hybrid of a town hall (meeting) and focus group, with elements of a precinct caucus thrown in." Grefenberg said. 

Results from the April 30 meeting will be discussed at a May 14 dialogue with a report made available to the Human Rights Comission and the City Hall staff and Council. 

Grefenberg concluded, "For me this is both a human rights issue (the right to live without fear) and a civic engagement issue (what are residents concerns and how can we as individuals and the Roseville community respond).

For more information about the dialogue meeting, read this blog from Megan Dushin. 

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