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Community Events/News

Start Date Title Tags Description
Dec 06, 2025 02:00 PM Keenan Jones' Children's Book Reading and Activity ('commerce', 'community engagement', 'workforce') His debut picture book, Saturday Morning at the Shop
Dec 06, 2025 12:30 PM Zumbro Valley Medical Society Holds an Eye Care Clinic ('Health', 'Financial Stress') The clinic will provide comprehensive eye exams and prescription eyeglasses at no cost.
Dec 04, 2025 05:30 PM Forum and Discussion on ‘Democracy Innovations for Better Public Meetings’ (Date changed to Dec 4) ('key', 'governance') The event will provide residents the opportunity to learn more about the Democracy Innovations for Better Public Meetings project and provide feedback. This project is designed to make public meetings more engaging while strengthening connections between community members and local government.
Nov 21, 2025 07:00 PM RPS Sound School Presents Tuvergen Band ('arts', 'education', 'rps') During the week of November 17, Tuvergen Band will visit public schools in Rochester to lead workshops and performances for students. These visits are part of the Sound School program, which brings professional musicians into classrooms for hands-on learning, cultural exchange, and musical exploration. The residency ends with the public concert at the Chateau Theatre, where the community can enjoy the same exciting music and cultural experience.
Nov 20, 2025 06:00 PM Hot Stuff: Electrifying Water Heating, Cooking, and Clothes Drying ('sustainability',) Learn about upgrading your home appliances to energy efficient options at this City of Rochester-sponsored workshop.
Nov 20, 2025 05:00 PM Cumulative impacts engagement open house ('sustainability', 'Civic Equity', 'Health/Wellness', 'community health') Conversation about the cumulative impacts process public engagement and timeline
Nov 19, 2025 05:00 PM World Cafe - Uplifting Parent Voices for Multilingual Learners ('rps', 'Education') This evening is dedicated to sharing crucial insights and community-driven solutions learned from multilingual and Native families across Minnesota on navigating our education system.
Nov 18, 2025 09:30 AM Nov 2025 Mayor's International Relations Committee Meeting ('Diversity', 'global', 'governance', 'culture', 'key', 'education') Coordinate the Sister Cities Program; support international affairs in the city; provide a welcoming and supportive climate for international residents
Nov 15, 2025 05:00 PM NAACP 2025 Freedom Fund Banquet ('diversity', 'NAACP') The 2025 Freedom Fund Banquet will feature two trailblazing leaders as keynote speakers: Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and Mayor Hollies Winston of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, the first Black mayors in their respective cities. Their historic achievements serve as powerful examples of progress and inspiration for our Rochester community.
Nov 15, 2025 12:30 PM ZMVS Presents Heartreach Clinic ('America City for Health', 'community health') Free Heart Disease Screening Blood Pressure Screening, Cholesterol Testing, Blood Sugar Screening, Heart Exam, ECG and Ultrasound
Nov 15, 2025 12:00 PM November 2025 Rochester – Headscarf Story Circle ('education', 'diversity') The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) is excited to host Headscarf Story Circle – a series of offerings that recognize the strength and resiliency of women. Join us for our first of three offerings in Rochester as we gather together through the shared connection of the headscarf and its complexity.
Nov 13, 2025 08:00 AM Introduction to Restorative Practices - Circle Training ('compassion', 'RPS', 'Education', 'community') Three Rivers Restorative Justice About the Training: A 16 Hour interactive training for aspiring circle keepers.
Nov 12, 2025 12:00 PM Meeting the Moment: Community Led Systems Change ('city', 'rps', 'dmc', 'diversity', 'key', 'community engagement', 'Education') This session centers on translating community priorities into actionable systems change by activating state decision makers, partners, and advocates.
Nov 12, 2025 10:00 AM Rochester Housing Alliance November 2025 ('RAF', 'housing', 'governance', 'openbeam', 'key') Feature Presentation — Navigating Housing Development Challenges: Restoration Glen Speakers from Bear Creek Development & Three Rivers Community Action ✅ Spotlight — Inventory of Affordable & Accessible Rental Housing Presented by The Arc Minnesota Southeast Region
Nov 11, 2025 04:00 PM Introduction to Restorative Practice - Circle Training ('compassion', 'RPS', 'Education', 'community') Three Rivers Restorative Justice About the Training: A 16 Hour interactive training for aspiring circle keepers.
Nov 11, 2025 09:30 AM Nov 2025 RPS Family Engagement ('RPS', 'Education', 'diversity', 'key') Spotlight on Host Site: Overland Elementary Introductions and Welcome (10:00–10:10) • Highlight Topic: RPS Language Access, Interpretation Services, and Culturally Sustaining Family Engagement
Oct 29, 2025 09:00 AM 2025 C2C Annual Education Summit ('C2C', 'education') Join us for an inspiring day of learning and community collaboration at the Cradle 2 Career Annual Education Summit! From Insight to Impact: Shaping the Future of Our Systems.
Oct 28, 2025 09:30 AM Oct 2025 Mayor's International Relations Committee Meeting ('Diversity', 'global', 'governance', 'culture', 'key', 'education') Coordinate the Sister Cities Program; support international affairs in the city; provide a welcoming and supportive climate for international residents
Oct 26, 2025 03:00 PM Isaiah - Yes to Our Future Summit ('interfaith', 'isaiah') Join this public meeting with state, county, and city elected officials about how we protect our civil rights and social safety nets from federal overreach.
Oct 24, 2025 05:30 PM IMAA Pearl Gala Annual Fundraiser 2025 ('imaa', 'diversity') United for Humanity: Building Bridges to Belonging
Document Actions
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.



Braver Angels News

Listen to (and learn from) the other side

  • Mar 6 2026 Volunteer Opportunities
  • Feb 2026 Citizens Commission on Immigration Outreach
  • Mar 2025 Newsletter: 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



2025 YE Housing Statistics

Jan 2026 Housing Alliance:

2025 Real Estate SEMN Marketing Data

2025 Coalition Investments

 

Last Updated February 02, 2026



RPS Family Engagement Opportunities

Jan 2026 Announcements

Family Engagement, Caregiver and Parent Empowerment 

Last Updated January 30, 2026



Community Health Improvement Plan Update

2026 CHNA Info: Jan 2026 Newsletter

2025 Community Health Needs Info: Admin Message, Oct 2025 Newsletter 

Ref: PB Report

Last Updated January 29, 2026



Black History Month Series of Events

Black History Month Press Releases: 

2026, 2025, 2024,

2023, 2022, 2021 

Last Updated January 28, 2026



Rochester Announcements

Jan 2026 Immigration Enforcement Updates

Jan 2024: The City of Rochester welcomes applications for the Community Building Fund.  This fund is all about supporting projects, programs, and events in the city that actively promote equity and inclusion.

Last Updated January 28, 2026