Items of Importance

IOI090821

Commentary - A call for unity and action

SPIRITHOUSE PROJECT CALLS AN EMERGENCY SUMMIT TO ORGANIZE A SOUTHERN STRATEGY FOR RACIAL JUSTICE AND NON-VIOLENCE

SEPTEMBER 19, 2009

COLUMBUS, GA

Ruby Nell Sales, Long distance runner for justice, Founder and

Director of the SpiritHouse Project has issued a call for unity and action to discuss and plan a collective Southern strategy that addresses the dangerous rising tide of racism which is creating an environment for

oppression, vigilante violence, and White backlash against people of color, especially African Americans. Help shape the summit.

Contact: Ruby Nell Sales at 706-323-0246

Tuesday, August 25, 6:30 pm First Presbyterian Dialogue Group meets

The First Presbyterian dialogue group will continue its discussion led by CSU Professor John Studstill The third in the series will be "Beyond Race.":

Be a part of the dialogue at 6:30 on Tuesday, August 25 in the First Presbyterian Church MUSEUM (the room across the large foyer area as you enter the building), located on First Avenue, immediately to the north of the main church (toward the corner of First Avenue and Twelfth Street). There is limited parking in the lot in front of the entrance with more parking on the street.

One Columbus Business Dialogue Groups available

One Columbus Dialogue Groups are bridge building experiences that take place in neighborhoods, community organizations, for profit and non-profit settings where bridge building among the participants fosters improvement of relationships to strengthen the bottom line and build rapport among those involved.

The Business Dialogue Group provides an honest assessment of workplace barriers to trust, teamwork, performance, and productivity (e.g., stereotyping); strategies to enhance internal and external communication and features an exceptional value, time sensitive, professional turnkey program for small and medium size companies

It includes a series of 5 or more sessions that ensure:

· Improving employees' satisfaction with the workplace,

· Reducing the "Us and Them" mentality,

· Fostering better team work,

· Improving communications that will lead to improving productivity,

· Bettering employee relations through reduced friction,

· Providing an opportunity to develop leadership skills, and

· Increasing participant's knowledge base of themselves with respect to their families and their communities.

These groups provide for building and strengthening leadership teams at all levels of an organization applying the most modern and proven tools found in the field focused on measurable success for the organization.

The 5 or more sessions in a business dialogue group series will guide participants through the processes necessary to assure a successful team-building experience to help them achieve new heights of success and strengthen the business' bottom line.

A pro-active prevention program can sometimes avert major HR challenges.

Contact One Columbus at 706-315-0162

DOWN THE ROAD

Sunday, September 13, 2009 International Festival

The Mayor's Commission on Unity and Diversity plans its International Festival at Peachtree Mall on Sunday, September 13 from 12:00 to 5:00 pm

Showcasing countries from around the world with professional and local cultural entertainers in music, dance, costumes, traditional customs, food, and booths, this is one of those events where Columbus celebrates its heritage

Contact: 706-653-4017

www.columbusga.org/mayor/diversity/htm