August 24, 2009

Charlotte, NC -- The Community Relations Committee, Community Building Initiative and Mecklenburg ministries are sponsoring a community dialogue Thursday, September 3, 2009 at 7 p.m. at the University Park Baptist Church, 6029 Beatties Ford Road.

The  dialogue will focus on how citizens and residents, government, business and service organizations working together can meet basic human needs in the Charlotte - Mecklenburg community.  The session, entitled "Can We Talk About Working Together To Meet Basic Human Needs?" will feature a panel of community leaders including: Taylor Batten (Charlotte Observer), Brett Loftis (Council for Children's Rights), Dana McDonald (University Park Baptist Church), Pat Mumford (City of Charlotte), and Mary Wilson (Mecklenburg County).

The panel conversation will be followed by a discussion with the audience moderat4ed by Bob Morgan (Charlotte Chamber) and Willie Ratchford (Community Relations Committee).  Issues to be discussed include:

• Do we need a coordinated plan for the delivery of human services?
• How do we connect the dots? What is currently underway?
• Who do we look to?
• What are we prepared to do? What can I do?

To RSVP: Email to rthompson@ci.charlotte.nc.us or call 704-336-2424.

For more information contact Dianne English at Community Building Initiative: 704-973-4574; Maria Hamlin at Mecklenburg Ministries: 704-565-5455; or Willie Ratchford at the Community Relations Committee: 704-336-2195.