Items of Importance

IOI090102

Welcome to 2009 and the first of our Items of Importance for the New Year.  This weekly email began January 9, 2006 to keep our readers current regarding One Columbus, our work, and information about activities, events and information that is relevant to our mission and goals and our community. It is our hope that it serves as a reminder as well as a brief report on our work and activities as we move forward.

Near the end of last year, One Columbus was fortunate to have had expert guidance in developing a Strategic Plan for 2008-2011. We will be implementing this plan over the next several months and years and look forward to you participating with us in this venture. The Strategic Plan is designed to be solid enough to inspire and flexible enough to continue to inspire.

Our MISSION is to promote unity and respect within a diverse community

Our VISION is Dignity, respect and empowerment for every person in Columbus

Our 6 GOALS include Programs, Advocacy, Resources/fundraising, Partnership development and Infrastructure improvement.

We'll provide more information about these goals, the strategies we hope to follow, and the successes and challenges we find along the way.

The Marist Institute for Public Opinion in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. reports that approximately 40 percent of Americans make New Year's resolutions.  The most popular resolutions this year are to lose weight, stop smoking, and spend less money/save more. Thirteenth on the list is to volunteering to help someone. I don't fall into any of these categories since my first is to reorganize and prioritize my time to better utilize the limited number of hours that I have been given each day.

I do hope that as 2009 unfolds, we will learn from the challenges that we found in 2008 and build a better One Columbus, a stronger community, a rejuvenated country and a safer, peaceful and free world for all and for our children. 

Yes, I know we can.

 First Presbyterian Dialogue Group resumes January 6, 2009

 

The First Presbyterian Dialogue Group will resume its weekly meetings on Tuesday beginning  January 6, 2009. Sharing personal experiences and perspectives in this safe environment allows for learning among participants with widely differing backgrounds.  This bridge building educational dialogue toward mutual understanding begins at 6:30 pm on Tuesday.  Enter the church from First Avenue across from the CB&T parking garage.

Notes from these Dialogue Groups can be found on the One Columbus website: www.onecolumbus.org  under "Dialogue Groups" as well as articles, selected readings and contributions from participants.

Contact: H. Berrien Zettler  706-324-6363

 

Race Relations Breakfasts resume January 14, 2009

This twice a month dialogue session continues this year at Ruth Ann's on Veterans Parkway beginning at 7:30 am with breakfast. You are encouraged to invite associates and friends who may have differing opinions. The dialogue is honest, but not confrontational   It's a learning experience where no one has all the answers, but each has something to contribute. $6.00 is asked of regular members.  First timers and visitors are our guests.

Contact: Lee Brantley 706-324-6471

WTVM to produce Inaugural Diversity Forum January 17, 2009

On Saturday, January 17, 2009, WTVM will produce a live two-hour town hall meeting on Diversity from the Studio Theater of the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts beginning at 7:00 pm. (Doors will be closed at 6:45pm). Issues that will be addressed are: Jobs and Employment; Education; Crime and Law Enforcement and Access to Health Care.

Rather than the One Columbus Annual Recognition Dinner usually held the third Thursday after the M. L. King, Jr. Holiday, Judge John D. Allen will be recognized for his work in diversity with the Community Excellence Award at the Diversity Forum on the 17^th of January.

If you plan to attend this free inaugural televised town hall meeting, you need to email your name and telephone number to onecolumbus4@MSN.COM.  The doors will be closed promptly at 6:45pm.

Contact: Jorge Vega 706-243-6236

LAST CHANCE

Sunday, January 11 is the last day for the multimedia exhibit 381 days: The Montgomery Bus Boycott Story which tells the dramatic tale of how one Southern city struggled with institutionalized segregation in the 1950s. When Rosa Parks famously informed her bus driver that she would not give up her seat for a white man, she set off a remarkable series of acts of civil, non-violent disobedience that ultimately led to the overturning of the law.  This awesome exhibit leaves our Library in less than 10 days. It is very much well worth seeing.

Contact: Henry McCoy 706-243-2669

MLK Unity Month 

Each year, the MLK Unity Steering Committtee coordinates a community-wide calendar that identifies events and activities in support of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King's vision expanded the intellectual and spiritual experience of being 'fully human' in a diverse community. The 2009 MLK Unity Celebration is an opportunity for community members of any faith or ethnicity to come together and help bring this vision of Dr. King's to fruition. The calendar of events can be found HERE. Your attendance at events of your choice is encouraged. Everyone is invited to attend.