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+1 469-206-8493,,175843882#   United States, Dallas

Phone Conference ID: 175 843 882#

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Community Conversations are designed to be a simple and sociable informal conversation in which a small group of people comes together to get to know one another and understand community issues that are of personal priority and concern. The goal is for everyone to be open and curious about all perspectives and see what we learn from one another, rather than to debate any particular topic or issue.  Community Conversations are scheduled for an hour and a half and will range over a variety of topics. The goal is to conduct Community Conversations regularly, in a variety of locations, and times. A recap of the Conversations will be provided at the following Council Work Session. Due to on-going Covid-19 impacts, Community Conversations will be hosted virtually for the time being.  

Date/Topics:

March 23^rd, 5:30pm: County Road 51 (CR51)/USFS Workforce Housing

March 30^th, 5:30pm: Marijuana

April 6^th, 5:30pm: Parking  

The Purpose of Community Conversations:

To host productive conversations among people with different views on politics, religion and lifestyle. A Community Conversation is intended to provide a simple means to support people who see the need and are willing to actively reach and connect across divides.

Community Conversations provides a framework and means to move away from divisive “opinion” debate and instead have a purposeful “desired future” conversation while staying open and curious about all perspectives and then to see what participants learn from one another.

The purpose of the Community Conversations is to provide a practical approach to support citizens coming together, outside of arguing of opinions, to create new and unlikely relationships, to encourage sustained engagement and to spark opportunities for cooperative action to address local challenges and opportunities.

The Intended Outcomes of a Community Conversation:

• To generate a spirit of mutual curiosity, respect and appreciation among those of differing perspectives.
• Connect with your neighbors. Build new relationships in your area by taking the time to talk with other community members about local issues.
• To listen generously and actively support the discovery of common interest and concern.
• To be open and curious about all perspectives and see what can be learned from listening to one another, rather than debating differing “opinions” on any topic or issue.
• Stay informed. Get accurate information and build your knowledge around timely neighborhood topics.

The Community Conversation Guidelines:

• Be Curious and Open to Learning: Listen to and be open to hearing all points of view. Maintain an attitude of exploration and learning.
• Balance Advocacy and Inquiry: Seek to learn and understand as much as you might want to persuade. Conversation is as much about listening as it is about talking.
• Show Respect and Suspend Judgment:  Setting judgments aside will enable you to learn from others and contribute to others experiencing being respected and appreciated. Share what’s important to you. Speak authentically; from your personal and heart felt experience. Be considerate to others who are doing the same.
• Seek Alignment rather than Agreement: Alignment is shared intention, whereas agreement is having a shared belief or opinion. In this conversation we look for alignment primarily and simply appreciate that we will disagree on some beliefs and opinions.