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All Civic Engagements

Skill building to inspire and grow deep listening to learn and enhance understanding of different viewpoints

 

The following are Upcoming and Past Beam-Aware Civic Engagements

 

 

 

 


 

Title Start Date Description Tags
507 Experience Kick-off Supper (RSVP Required) Mar 11, 2025 06:00 PM The 507 Experience will offer the people who are part of the area code 507 an opportunity to enjoy uninterrupted time visiting with friends either over coffee or "breaking bread" over a meal. ('compassion', 'faith', 'civic engagement')
Common Cause: Community Townhall Mar 01, 2025 11:30 AM Directly ask your state legislators what they're doing to improve you everyday life! ('diversity', 'housing', 'governance', 'Culture', 'health', 'key', 'civic engagement')
Free Speech vs. Hate Speech: Understanding the Boundaries and Building Resilient Communities Oct 29, 2024 02:00 PM Cohosts: Winona State, RCTC: This timely event will feature two key sessions aimed at exploring the balance between free speech and hate speech, as well as the impacts of hate on marginalized communities. We will be moderating the discussions. ('diversity', 'civic engagement')
The Table Cookout by Zumbro Valley Medical Society (ZVMS) Oct 26, 2024 01:00 PM Food, Community, & Conversation ('food', 'health', 'civic engagement')
Assisi Heights: The Heart is a County Oct 23, 2024 06:30 PM Stephanie Saldaña will begin by sharing the stories of inter-religious friendship she has witnessed over decades in the Middle East. ('compassion', 'civic engagement')
C.E.R.T. 3rd Annual Gala Sep 28, 2024 05:00 PM Please join us in celebrating dedicated Community members that have rendered outstanding services and support to our Community. ('public safety', 'Diversity', 'cmrc', 'civic engagement')
Punch 9 for Harold Washington Feature Documentary Jun 16, 2024 01:00 PM Supported by the Office of the Mayor, Rochester City DEI, in partnership with the NAACP ('diversity', 'community', 'civic engagement', 'Diversity', 'NAACP')
June Valuing Others Together Thursday Night Lights Jun 13, 2024 05:30 PM Digging Deeper...Awesome Questions to discuss with a new friend ('civic engagement',)
June 2024 United Way BIPOC Leaders Panel and Small Group Conversation Jun 04, 2024 04:00 PM Join other BIPOC individuals to learn about ways to get involved in our community! BIPOC Leaders Panel and Small Group Conversation ('Diversity', 'compassion', 'key', 'civic engagement', 'CMRC', 'united way')
Recap of the Rochester Disagreeing Better Workshop Apr 30, 2024 06:30 PM We will review and practice skills from the Disagreeing Better Workshop held April 24 in Rochester. This meeting is open to all, even if you don’t attend the April 24 event. You don’t need to be a Braver Angels member. The event is free, though donations are welcomed. ('civic engagement',)
Skills for Disagreeing Better Convened by Braver Angels, MPR and UMR Apr 24, 2024 06:00 PM • More understanding of the values and concerns of people who differ from you politically • Better skills for listening in a way so that the other person feels heard • Better skills for sharing viewpoints in a way the other person might hear -- even if they disagree ('UMR', 'MPR', 'openbeam', 'key', 'civic engagement')
United Way of Olmsted County: Community Involvement Session Mar 07, 2024 02:00 PM Join other BIPOC individuals to learn about ways to get involved in our community! ('Diversity', 'compassion', 'key', 'civic engagement', 'CMRC', 'united way')
Feb 23, 2024: The Year of Respect Feb 2024 Feb 23, 2024 07:15 PM This is a magnificent mission worthy of every effort we can individually and collectively give. 2024 The Year of RESPECT is a community-wide initiative that strives to reshape our attitudes and actions toward each other. Join us in this HEAD and HEART experience, as we take actionable steps to build a kinder community that is a light and example for the world. Let’s do this Together! ('networking', 'key', 'civic engagement')
Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans: 2024 Holiday Get-Together Feb 02, 2024 01:00 PM You are invited to join the for a holiday get-together! Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans ('networking', 'civic engagement')
Ukrainian Fundraiser Breakfast Jan 27, 2024 08:00 AM Supported by Rochester Kiwanis Clubs and VFW Post 1215 ('civic engagement',)
Courageous Change Collective Jan 24, 2024 08:00 AM A three day deep dive workshop for folks working to build equitable systems! Join us for an experiential learning opportunity exploring three new tools & frameworks developed by the Community Engagement for Equitable Systems collaborative: ('sustainability', 'civic engagement')
2024: The Year of Respect--Mission: Kick-Off Jan 19, 2024 05:30 PM We have two REMARKABLE guests plus a GREAT evening planned that will both bless and INSPIRE YOU. George Thompson back in the day was not allowed to attend High School with white students. Today George is one of Rochester's most respected citizens. To know George is to love the man...He is an INSPIRATION. Israel Rocha has an equally inspiring story. Within the past two years Israel went from a life long drug addict who was homeless to DRY, marrying his girl friend, uniting their family and 7 year old son PLUS gaining sobriety. His presence exudes valuing people of all kinds. The Rocha's now have an apartment and bless others. Other guests will lift your spirit as we talk about what will happen this year in 2024 Year of RESPECT. ('networking', 'key', 'civic engagement')
Dec 19, 2024: The Year of Respect--Mission:Valuing Others Strategy Meeting Dec 19, 2023 03:30 PM Get acquainted: A wide spectrum of leadership are involved We will introduce the tool "Your Story-My Story" to meet people and observe a fun resource benefiting all. Summarize the introductory meetings ('networking', 'openbeam', 'civic engagement')
Dec 12, 2024: The Year of Respect--Mission:Valuing Others! Dec 12, 2023 03:30 PM You and many other community leaders are invited to join in this effort to begin to bring about positive change in 2024. We need your influence during the next 12 months to transform a negative environment into a community which is Full of Respect, and Who Value Others! ('networking', 'key', 'civic engagement')
C.E.R.T. 2nd Annual Gala Sep 16, 2023 05:00 PM A Night of Soulful Jazz ('public safety', 'Diversity', 'cmrc', 'civic engagement')
Document Actions

Two types of event information being shared in the following:

1. A list of Beam aware upcoming community events of all types. 

2. A list of noteworthy past events that have one or more of the following contents: presentation slides, video recordings as well as takeaways. 

Upcoming Events
Oct 2026 RPS Family Engagement Oct 06, 2026 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM — Virtual
2026 Rochester General Election City Council and Mayor Candidate Forum Oct 06, 2026 06:30 PM - 09:00 PM — Christ United Methodist Church
AARP Election 2026 - What Voters Need to Know Oct 07, 2026 11:30 AM - 01:30 PM — Cascade Meadows Wetlands & Environmental Science Center, 2900 19th Street Northwest, Rochester, MN, 55901
Managing Difficult Conversations with Constituents - Rochester (For Elected Officials and Admin Staff) Oct 13, 2026 09:00 AM - 11:00 AM — Rochester Public Utilities 4000 East River Road Northeast, #2813
Skills for Disagreeing Better - Rochester Oct 13, 2026 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM — RCTC Heintz Center, 1926 Collegeview Road East, Rochester, MN 55904
All Things SBDC - 2026 Oct 13, 2026 02:00 PM - 02:45 PM — Virtual
Depolarizing Ourselves Oct 13, 2026 03:30 PM - 05:00 PM — RCTC Heintz Center, 1926 Collegeview Road East, Rochester, MN 55904
Congressional Debate Oct 13, 2026 06:00 PM - 07:30 PM — KAAL Digital Platforms
Finding Community in Our Differences - Rochester Oct 13, 2026 06:30 PM - 08:00 PM — RCTC Heintz Center, 1926 Collegeview Road East, Rochester, MN 55904
Work Smarter with AI Oct 14, 2026 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM — Virtual
Upcoming events…
Community News

This panel displays the latest community news. For a standalone view please click this LINK.



Annual Action Plan - Community Development Block Grant Allocations

  • 2027 Annual Action Plan - Community Development Block Grant Allocations; Video Recording, Presentation 
  • 2026 Annual Action Plan - Community Development Block Grant Allocations; Video Recording, Presentation 

Last Updated September 20, 2026



Sherman Mixed Housing Mayo Civic Center Parking Lot

Sep 18, 2026: Ground Breaking

July 6, 2026: City Council Meeting - Extension of agreement

May 2026 DMCC Board Meeting: Status Update

June 3, 2024 City Council Meeting 

Council action is requested to continue development negotiations with Sherman Associates and conditionally approve development assistance of up to $13,000,000 in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) assistance and up to $3,000,000 in DMC General State Infrastructure Aid.  

Last Updated September 18, 2026



Momentum 30

Four pillars to drive Momentum 30

Case for Investment

Last Updated September 17, 2026



2027 Olmsted County Tax Levy

Sep 16, 2026 Press Release: Preliminary 2027 Olmsted County levy: $151,350,166, Preliminary 2027 Olmsted County billed levy: $149,769,949 (amount to be billed to taxpayers due to 2026 levy overpayment being applied to 2027).

Last Updated September 16, 2026



Braver Angels News

  • 2026 - Oct events: Sep 2026 Newsletter; Aug 2026 Newsletter, Mar 6 Volunteer Opportunities, Feb Citizens Commission on Immigration Outreach
  • 2025, 24 - Mar 2025 Newsletters: End birthright citizenship? Apr 2024 Braver Angels Newsletter: 2024 National Convention; National Debate: Should we be colorblind?

 

Last Updated September 16, 2026



RPS Family Engagement Opportunities

Sep 2026: Care Giver & Parent Empowerment (CAPE); Supporting Youth: Mental Health  

Apr 2026 Family Engagement Policy Meetings

Jan 2026 Announcements: Family Engagement, Caregiver and Parent Empowerment 

Last Updated September 11, 2026



Reimagining 6th Ave West - Project Update

Sep 9, 2026 City Council Update

Mar 2 2025 City Council: Memo, Video, Presentation

Sep 2025 Press Release: City of Rochester Launches “Reimagining Sixth Avenue W” to Reconnect Downtown Mobility Network

Last Updated September 10, 2026



CHATEAU THEATRE OPERATING ANALYSIS UPDATE

Sep 9, 2026 City Council Action Chateau Strategy

Aug 10, 2026 City Council Study Session  Council to review planning-level capital investment needs identified through both the City’s facility assessment and the Legends Global operating analysis.

Last Updated September 08, 2026



Director of Equity & Organizational Development Introduction

 Sep 2026: Introducing Crystal Fairchild, Director of Equity & Organizational Development

 

Last Updated September 06, 2026



6th Street Bridge RAISE grant

Aug 2026: Revised to "Up to $19.9 million from USDOT." 

Aug 2022: The City of Rochester has been awarded a $19.9 million dollar United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant.

Last Updated August 24, 2026



Rochester Public Transit

Aug 23, 2026 City Council Study Session: Transit Financial Sustainability - Rochester Public Transit (RPT) is currently operating under financial conditions that are not sustainable over the long term.

Last Updated August 24, 2026



Rochester, MN Supplemental Budget

2026 Aug 23 City Council Study Session, Apr 13 City Council Study Session on 2027 Supplemental Budget

2022-08-22 City Council Study Session on 2023 Supplemental Budget

Last Updated August 23, 2026



Economic Vibrancy & Growth Management

Aug 24, 2026 City Council Study Session: Economic Mobility Updates

Sep 2024 City Council Study Session: City teammates providing an update on this work, specifically regarding legacy public infrastructure projects, Unbound, infrastructure investments and regulatory milestones.  

Last Updated August 23, 2026



OpenBeam events log

Sep 2026: Metrics LINKS

Aug 2026: Tech related info

Aug 2026 Notable Beam Events Log: Topics Include: Q2 Real Estate Stats; Workforce Housing & Regional Workforce Trends; Building Trust in an Age of Skepticism; Land Use Revenue Analysis; Tax Increment Financial Studies

Last Updated August 21, 2026



Broadway 309-317 Appeal of Certificate for Appropriateness

Aug 17, 2026 City Council Meeting: In a 4-3 vote, the Rochester City Council overturned a decision by the Heritage Preservation Commission to reject a redevelopment proposal for five historic buildings on the 300 block of South Broadway Avenue.

Aug, 2026  PB reporting

Last Updated August 20, 2026



Transportation: ROCOG Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP)

2027-2030: Transportation Improvement Plan, Press Release

2024 - 2027 Transportation Plan 

2023 - 2026 Transportation Plan: The Rochester-Olmsted Council of Governments (ROCOG) has released a draft of the 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), for a 30-day public comment period. 

Last Updated August 18, 2026



National Community Survey

2026 City Survey: Open to residents responses

2024 and 2022 NCS Surveys: Presentation/Reports

2018 City Survey.: June 2018 Resident Survey Summary

Last Updated August 17, 2026



SBDC Rochester, Spring 2025

Sep 2026: Small Business Support Series

SBDC Apr 2025 Business Workshops...SBDC Day and workshop opportunities: "If you have an upcoming business event or celebration, please let us know! We would love to stop by for a RIBBON CUTIING for any of your business." milestones:

 

Last Updated August 14, 2026



Homelessness Dashboard, Street Medicine, The TABLE and Any Path Home Info

Aug 14, 2026:Homeless Info: Any Path Home Dashboard; Mayo Clinic Street Medicine

Mar 2026 Rochester Area Housing Alliance: Any Path Home and The TABLE

 

Last Updated August 14, 2026



Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Barriers Study

Aug 10, City Council Study Session: Equitable Economic Development

Apr 2025 City Council Study Session:  (1) DBE Study Session to City Council April 17, 2023 , (2) Memo to DMCC Board; 

Last Updated August 13, 2026