Great Barrington — The town invites residents to a Community Conversation workshop on April 22 at Berkshire South Regional Community Center on 15 Crissey Road from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The conversation will include opportunities to participate in small-group discussions with town officials and other residents, to explore the question, “What do we need to have in place, to support constructive participation in our local community self-governance? What’s working well? What can we all do so that it works better?”
Rosa Zubizarreta, a professional collaboration consultant, will facilitate the conversation on behalf of the town. Zubizarreta and her husband Bruce Nayowith, M.D., both Great Barrington residents, teach group facilitation internationally through their consulting practice, DiaPraxis.
The workshop will begin with an introduction by Zubizarreta, who will explain the Community Conversation approach, a method of exchanging civil discourse in a group setting that is based on respect and sharing ideas. Selectboard Chair Deborah Phillips will highlight the Town’s visions identified in the collaborative work done in the master plan and future considerations. Town Manager Jennifer Tabakin will distribute information on the local government process, committee structure and the annual calendar to let people know about existing opportunities for involvement.
“We will bring people together to share ideas and talk about our local government process, various ways to participate and exchange ideas,” Phillips said.
“This meeting, before the start of the next fiscal year, is good timing for the Selectboard to hear and share ideas on how to improve our community,” said Selectboard member Daniel Bailly.
“We are trying something new,” said Selectboard member Ed Abrahams. “Come with an open mind and know it is a small start to explore how to address ideas and issues.”
“It is a busy time of year, but we are taking the time to have a community conversation and hope we will have a good turnout to see how this approach works,” Tabakin said. “Thank you to DiaPraxis Consulting for donating their time, and to Berkshire South for providing us with the room in their facility.”
For more information contact Jennifer Tabakin, Great Barrington Town Manager, at 413-528-1619 x2
