Jan. 24, 2012

Andrea Huff announced that those who have already signed up for the fund-raising luncheon on Thursday, Feb. 2 to benefit McCreesh Place would receive further information by e-mail this week. She said that those still wishing to attend should contact her, Sarah Stevenson or Pam Jefsen at 704-335-9380 ext. 25. The Charlotte Convention Center noontime lunch is free but donations will be solicited.

- - -

Natheley McElrath announced that the Black Women's Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg would install its new officers on Sunday, Jan. 29 from 3-4 p.m. at Picture Perfect Gallery, 1230 W. Morehead St. 1st floor.

- - -

Gautam Desai invited community activists to join with Democratic Party activists, and invited community groups to be screening potential elected officials in the weeks prior to the beginning of candidate registration in late February.

- - -

Deborah Whitfield announced that the Council for Children's Rights is taking its training on school discipline issues and the rights of special education students to the meetings of community groups. For info: 704-372-7961 or by e-mail.

- - -

Nancy Carter announced an effort under way to engage Garinger High students by reviving a greenhouse already on-site and creating a community garden. Plans include students selling their produce at a new market at Eastway and Shamrock Drives. A work day to set up the garden is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 25 at Garinger, 1100 Eastway Dr.

- - -

Sarah Stevenson announced that next week's planned speaker is Eric Guckian, Charlotte executive director for New Leaders, which trains new public school leadership.

- - -

Beverly Irby left a save-the-date for the 2nd Annual Rowe "Jack" Motley Memorial Golf Tournament to benefit C.W. Williams Community Health Center, to be held Wednesday, Feb. 29 at Birkdale Golf Club, 16500 Birkdale Commons Parkway in Huntersville. Info: Alethea Ramey at 704-393-7720 ext. 1050 or by e-mail.

- - -

Robert Dawkins shared a letter he wrote to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations Executive Director Willie Ratchford applauding Ratchford's work revising the protest ordinance approved by Charlotte City Council. The revisions, he wrote, "helped make Charlotte safe while making sure not to infringe on the citizens' personal freedoms… I also believe that no personal freedoms will be lost from its implementation." Dawkins included links "from the last few political conventions to show why the ordinance is needed." The links are related to the Denver 2008 DNC Convention (coverage by USA Today,  Democracy Now  and by a student); to the St. Paul 2008 Republican Convention (here and here) and the Los Angeles 2000 DNC convention  (coverage by ABC and an individual).

The Forum donates in support of Mecklenburg Parks & Recreation.

Total for November 2011: $18.44

Total in 2011: $313.73

Since donations began: $488.33

Details

Forum regulars in the

Vernon Herron

The Forum generally sends out two e-mail messages each week.

The first, a short message generally on Sunday nights, announces Tuesday's speaker.

The second is sent sometime after the Forum and summarizes announcements made during the Forum.

To receive these messages, submit the information below. You will receive a confirmation message at your e-mail address. If you do not respond to that e-mail, you will not be added to the list.

You may also sign up when visiting the Forum. Give your e-mail address to Steve Johnston.

We do not share these addresses with other groups.

Welcome to the Forum website

This site, launched in January 2007, is a communications tool for a community group that for more than a quarter century has played a key role in discussions of community issues in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, NC.

On this page will be the most recent news from the Forum. Elsewhere on the site are all the details of where the group meets, earlier news stories written about its speakers, attendance at each forum since July 2007, and an archive of announcements made during each Forum. Other pages chronicle Forum special events, the people who are instrumental in its operation, and how to contact Forum leaders with your suggestions.

The Forum was founded around 1980 as an all-black offshoot of Charlotte's Black Political Caucus. Forum leaders later opened the doors to all persons. And since then, the Forum has played a critical role as one of the few gatherings where people of all ethnic and economic backgrounds meet together and candidly share perspectives on public affairs.

We hope you will attend and speak up at the Forum. The format is simple: On most Tuesdays, a speaker makes a presentation on some issue of public interest. A question-and-answer period follows. Somewhere along the way is Announcement Time.

On any given Tuesday morning you may find yourself in a room with tradesmen, members of the N.C. legislature, housewives,  community group leaders, business owners, City Council members, county commissioners and perhaps a judge or two. With such expertise in the room, the discussion can be exhilarating. And with such a broad spectrum of the community's leadership represented each week, the announcements alone are a unique chronicle of community history.

For decades, the Forum has thrived in spite of not taking a single position, not endorsing a single candidate, not building a single building. It has stuck to its core mission – fostering discussion of public affairs across the dividing lines of race, class, economic status and power. That's the business of building community. If that interests you, please join us Tuesday morning!

The Forum welcomes all persons to its meetings beginning at 8:30 a.m. most Tuesdays of the year at the West Charlotte Recreation Center, 2222 Kendall Drive, Charlotte, NC down the hill from West Charlotte High School.