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Community Events/News

Start Date Title Tags Description
Jan 20, 2025 08:30 AM January 2025 Annual MLK "We Have A Dream" Virtual Celebration ('NAACP', 'Diversity') Join us and NAACP Rochester Branch MN to celebrate Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with the annual We Have a Dream Celebration on Monday, January 20 from 8:30am to 10:30am.
Jan 18, 2025 09:00 AM Trafficking is Still Here ('youth', 'Civic Equity') 21 million people are trafficked globally every day. Women and girls account for 75% of that number. It continues in our community also. Local professionals such as law enforcement, immigration, and victim services, attempts to advance best prevention practices and keeping victims safe.
Jan 17, 2025 05:00 PM 2025 Bowling Night by Journie ('Diversity',) Discover Journie programs and network.
Jan 17, 2025 03:00 PM Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota ('diversity', 'immigrant') Policies and Practices to Expect; How to Prepare if You Do Not have Legal or Permanent Status; Overview of Immigration Court Process
Jan 17, 2025 12:00 PM Messaging Training on Race Class Gender Narrative ('community engagement', 'education', 'Diversity') Learn how to craft messages that fight back against our opposition's divide-and-conquer tactics, cultivate multiracial solidarity, and move people on issues you care about.
Jan 14, 2025 10:00 AM RPS Jan 2025 Family Engagement Meeting: Opportunities for Students to Earn College Credit in High School ('RPS', 'education', 'key') Opportunities for Students to Earn College Credit in High School
Jan 12, 2025 03:00 PM Interfaith Immigration Prayer Service ('faith', 'immigrant') When our immigrant neighbors are threatened how can we be silent?
Jan 10, 2025 07:15 AM Rochester Mayor's State of the City Address ('key', 'governance', 'community', 'openbeam') A fresh start for our best future
Jan 08, 2025 10:00 AM Rochester Housing Alliance January 8, 2025 ('RAF', 'housing', 'openbeam', 'key') Topics: Presentation & Discussion: Eyota Building; Presentation & Discussion: 2024 Real Estate Stats Review; Presentation & Discussion: Economic and Housing Conditions Report
Jan 08, 2025 12:00 PM Beyond the Ballot: Black/Diverse Voices in Local Leadership ('city', 'rps', 'dmc', 'diversity', 'key', 'community engagement') In this episode, we take a deep dive into the transformative role of Black and diverse leaders in local politics and community organizations. Our presenters, Tawonda Burks and Walé Elegbede, will share their journeys, the unique challenges they face, and the powerful ways they are driving positive change.
Jan 06, 2025 05:00 PM Rochester City Council Swearing In Public Hearing ('governance',) Come welcome the Rochester City Council’s newest four members–Nick Miller, Dan Doering, Andy Friederichs, and Randy Schubring. There will be a social celebration from 5-5:30, the swearing-in ceremony from 5:30-6, and in the public comment section of the Council meeting from about 6-6:30, you can share what you hope this new Council will lead on.
Dec 19, 2024 04:30 PM RAVA Holiday Happy Hour ('faith',) Get to know your fellow volunteer managers
Dec 12, 2024 04:00 PM RCTC Pride Club Free Legal Clinic Name & Gender Marker Corrections ('youth', 'community')
Dec 12, 2024 07:30 AM 4Q 2024 December Health HAPP Meeting ('CHNA', 'community', 'Health/Wellness', 'Health', 'public sector work product', 'key', 'health work product') Topics include: Prenatal Co-Design Project; Sarah Stevens and Sadie Swenson, OCPHS Julie Ruzek, Cradle 2 Career CHAP Process: Looking ahead to 2025 Derrick Fritz, CHAP Coordinator Efforts Being Done to Address Community Health Priorities All Core Agency Updates CHAP Core Group Community Announcements and Sharing All
Dec 11, 2024 11:30 AM Pathways to a Vibrant, Just, and Equitable Rochester ('city', 'rps', 'dmc', 'diversity', 'key', 'community engagement') Destination Medical Center and the City of Rochester, in partnership with Griot Arts and Barbershop Talks, invite the community to the next installment of the Equity Alliance Equity Series. This in-person event, titled Pathways to a Vibrant, Just, and Equitable Rochester, will take place on Wednesday, December 11, at 11:30 a.m. at the Chateau Theatre. The program will feature a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Nicole Asong Nfonoyim-Hara.
Nov 23, 2024 01:30 PM Community Upstanding - Townhall One ('diversity', 'community engagement', 'NAACP') This week’s program effort is focused on Community Upstander Training and will feature Tom Thibodeau, Distinguished Professor of Servant Leadership from Viterbo University. Thibodeau is the founder of the Master of Arts in Servant Leadership, the first master’s degree of its kind in the nation, and a founding member of hospitality and fellowship resource. Thibodeau is a popular professor, talented public speaker, and an extremely active community member focused on ethical life, serving the common good, and addressing homelessness.
Nov 21, 2024 10:00 AM Partnership for Successful Homeownership ('compassion', 'Kiwanis') Learn how you can easily leverage the First-Generation Homebuyers Community Down-Payment Assistance Fund on behalf of you clients.
Nov 18, 2024 03:00 PM Pre Bid Open House- Link Bus Rapid Transit Project ('city', 'housing', 'transportation', 'transit') You are invited to participate in a pre-bid open house by the City or Rochester. This event will provide valuable information regarding the initial three bid packages on the Link Bus Rapid Transit project.
Nov 18, 2024 01:00 PM United Way Webinar Get Connected Volunteer Portal ('Kiwanis', 'united way') Get Connected #volunteer portal, which features listings of a wide variety of local volunteering opportunities. We'll also share information about our Varsity Letter in #CommunityService program for high schoolers across Southeast Minnesota.
Nov 16, 2024 10:00 AM NAACP Rochester Branch Elections ('NAACP', 'Diversity', 'governance') In accordance with the 2024 National NAACP Election Procedures, the election date was chosen during the Rochester Branch’s August 16 General Membership Meeting. Since then, and with guidance and oversight from the National NAACP, the Rochester Branch established the Branch Nominating Committee in September and the Election Supervisory Committee in October.
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October 2021 Activities

FORUM  WITH INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT DR. KENT PEKEL- October 21, 6:30 to 8:00:

In the City for Good will be presenting an online forum to give all in the community an opportuniy to hear from Rochester Public Schools Interim Superintendent Kent Pekel. Dr. Pekel will give an overview of his time so far in the district, along with more information on the strategic plan he will be proposing. Interested Rochester residents may submit questions ahead of time or during the meeting to be used in a Q&A time period after his primary presentation. The October 21 forum will be from 6:30 to 8.

 

Steering Committee- Tuesday, October 5, 4:00 p.m.

Topic: In the City for Good Steering Committee

Time: Oct 5, 2021 04:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

 Join Zoom Meeting

Contact [email protected] for Zoom info. 

 

Housing Team- Monday, October 11 7:00 p.m.

Our next In the City for Good Housing Team meeting will be on October 11 at 7 pm. We will be discussing the proposed Unified Development Code with Ryan Yetzer, Interim Deputy Director, Community Development for the City of Rochester leading the discussion along with others in the Community Development area. We will especially focus on what some of the proposed changes could mean related to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and the role of ADUs in addressing the concerns around the affordability of workforce and senior housing. This will be an online meeting, with the link to be sent out later this week.

 

Age-Friendly- Oct 12th and 26th 2:30 to 4:00

Meeting Information:

Age-Friendly Olmsted County Planning Group

Tues. Oct 12 and 26

2:30pm - 4pm

 

Contact [email protected] for Zoom info

 

Social Services/Social Justice- Watch for info of upcoming November meeting

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Purpose of the site
A sub-site of Community Beam, the City4Good website is being prototyped by openBEAM.net  to help the "In the City For Good initiative" to better collaborate.
Community Status/News

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



Olmsted County Health Focus Topics

1Q 2026 HAPP Meeting:

Overdose SPIKE, Mental Health Club House

Last Updated March 17, 2026



DMC Private Investment Status

 Annual Report to DEED Prep 

  • Mar 2026 DMCC Exec Committee Meeting - Video Recording, PB Reporting - Private Investment Status
  • Mar 2025: DMCC Exec Committee Briefing " Overall private investment related to the Destination Medical Center initiative bounced back in 2024, but non-Mayo Clinic development continued to decline in the DMC district for the sixth year."

Last Updated March 15, 2026



Rochester Learning Center Mural Night

UMR and ALC Collaboration Research Study Introduction

The Artist Mindset Research Study

 

Last Updated March 14, 2026



City SUPPORTING TRANSFORMATION - BOLD. Forward. Unbound.

City Council Study Session:

Mar 2026 Video Recording, Presentation

Feb 2025 Video Recording Link, Presentation, Collaboration Commitment

Last Updated March 10, 2026



America's City for Heath and Older Adults Needs

Mar 2026: Tech Enabled Aging In Place Talks Postings

Oct 2025 AI Summary of Dave Beal's PB Op Ed: "Include older adults in Rochester's Plans"

Last Updated March 09, 2026



Braver Angels News

Listen to (and learn from) the other side

  • 2026 - 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 March 06, 2026



2025-26 RPS Superintendent Goals Check

Feb 3 2026 Midyear Review: 

  • Video Clip
  • Talking Points 

Last Updated March 04, 2026



Development Assistance Agreement Relating to the Citywalk Apartments for Tax Increment Financing

Mar 2, 2026: Rochester Economic Development Authority 

Approving and Authorizing the Execution of Development Assistance Agreement (Citywalk Project)

Last Updated March 03, 2026



Downtown Mobility Network

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 March 03, 2026



RPS 2030 Strategic Plan Design

Mar 3, 2026 RPS Board Meeting: Background Memo, Video Clip, Presentation 

Last Updated March 03, 2026



Public Office Candidate Trainings

Two sets of candidates training programs: 

1. Ready to Run: Community Partners Training: March 11, March 25, April 1

2. Chamber of Commerce Sponsored Training: March 7, March 28 

Last Updated February 28, 2026



City Council and Mayor-Better Public Hearing Meeting

Feb 9, 2026 Study Session: Report, Video, Presentation

Summarizing interviews, survey responses, scorecard and public forum 

Last Updated February 27, 2026



Hope at Home

Nearly $60,000 has been distributed to help prevent evictions

The Hope at Home Fund, created by Family Promise Rochester

Last Updated February 26, 2026



2026 and 2025 Action Plan Updates

Feb 2026 Action Plan Update

Jan 2025 City of Rochester’s Action Plan, first implemented in 2021, serves as our roadmap for success. It outlines current initiatives aimed at advancing City Council's Strategic Priorities. 

Last Updated February 26, 2026



Downtown Historic District Investment

Feb 23, 2026 City Council Study Session 

DMCC Board Meeting Dec 10, 2025

  • Request Memo
  • Video Recording
  • Presentation 

Last Updated February 26, 2026



Olmsted County Press Release:

We are Water MN Traveling Exhibit Feb 25 thru Apr 20, 2026: A statewide partnership that deepens connections between Minnesotans

and the water we rely on.

Last Updated February 19, 2026



Rochester Area Volunteer Administration

2026: April 15 Volunteer Fair

2023: RAVA October 19 2023 Meeting Notes; RAVA Meeting Notes: 6/15/2023 featuring inclusive language and use of pronouns; 2. 2021 survey announcement 

2021: Survey

Last Updated February 18, 2026



DMC 2025 5 Year Plan Updates

Feb 5, 2026 DMC Board Meeting: Final DMC Plan Update

Dec 15, 2025 DMC Board Meeting  :Request for Action; Video Recording; Presentation';2025 5-year plan draft

References: Nov 2025 City Council Study Session Materials; Feb 2026 DMCC Annual Report

Last Updated February 10, 2026



MDH 2026 Announcements

MDH Regional Listening Sessions March 5, 2026 

Feb 2026 MDH Minnesota Health Equity Networks Newsletter

 

Last Updated February 07, 2026



Rochester as a Compassionate City

Feb 2, 2026 City Council Meeting

Council Initiated Action - Reaffirming Rochester as a Compassionate City

Last Updated February 03, 2026