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Community Events/News

Start Date Title Tags Description
Jan 26, 2023 06:00 PM Third Judicial District: Juror Project Presentation () The motivation for hosting these presentations has been the continued lack of diversity of juries in southeast Minnesota, as shown by this recent report by the state-level Committee for Equity and Justice.
Jan 25, 2023 09:00 AM propel nonprofits: Building an Effective CEO & Board Chair Partnership ('governance',) It has often been said that a healthy relationship between the board chair and executive director/CEO goes a long way toward building an effective organization.
Jan 21, 2023 09:00 AM Global Market (Cooking Class, Small Business Training, Food & Deserts) ('food', 'Diversity', 'openbeam', 'Entrepreneurship') Rochester's cultural communities hosting family friendly winter activities. Come to experience authentic flavors and vibrant traditions.
Jan 21, 2023 10:00 AM Culturally Responsive Business Startup Workshop ('Diversity', 'Entrepreneurship') Growing Your Business - Sales and Marketing
Jan 20, 2023 11:30 AM 125 Live Community Talks: RPS Superintendent Kent Pekel ('Education',) Community Talks Discuss topics relevant to 125 LIVE members and the Rochester community. Learn about your community, ask questions on issues, and share your input and your ideas for a better tomorrow. This time we will host Rochester School Superintendent- Kent Pekel.
Jan 19, 2023 04:30 PM CMRC January 2023 Meeting ('diversity', 'Diversity Council', 'CMRC', 'openbeam', 'Diversity', 'cmrc') Topics include: Olmsted County Community Health Needs Assessment, DEI Updates from Olmsted County, City of Rochester, RPS and DMC, RCTC- Perkins grant funding, cultural liaison and other collective grant potentials
Jan 18, 2023 12:00 PM How do you raise thousands of dollars at your fundraising event in mere minutes? ('npc',) The answer: An authentic and compelling ask! With 228 events completed as a team in 2022, join Fladeboe Advancement consultants, Kristin Kroll and Kate Pearce, as they share their best practices for creating an inspiring and effective mission-based ask at your next in-person, virtual, or hybrid event.
Jan 16, 2023 09:00 AM MLK Birthday: Rising Above Fear ('diversity', 'community') MLK Breakfast; Freedom March Rally; Commemorative Celebration & Birthday Party
Jan 13, 2023 12:00 PM Minority Owned Business Network -- Social Solutions: Lunch & Learn () A networking event for Minority Owned Businesses. - Keynote speaker - Business Education - Food & Beverage - Vendors
Jan 13, 2023 07:30 AM Mayor Norton to Host 2023 State of the City Event ('city state', 'governance') Mayor Kim Norton shares, “I encourage the community to join me for this event. The focus of this year’s State of the City will be on how we work together to create a vision for Rochester. We have so much to look forward to and opportunities to work on together.”
Jan 12, 2023 09:00 AM Southeast Minnesota Regional Housing Forum ('Housing', 'diversity', 'Financial Stress') Expert Panel on Regional Initiatives; Breakout Sessions on Important Regional Topics; Policy, Advocacy, and Legislative Updates
Jan 11, 2023 10:00 AM January 11, 2023 Coalition for Rochester Area Housing Alliance (By Invitation) ('RAF', 'Housing', 'housing') Topics Include: Race & Racism as a Public Health Issue; BIPOC Home Ownership Report; Area Housing Report; Member Updates
Jan 10, 2023 10:00 AM RPS: January 2023 Monthly District Family Engagement Meeting ('rps', 'education', 'diversity', 'youth', 'openbeam', 'Education', 'cmrc') Topics: Family Engagement Success Sharing; Perspectives on RPS Family Engagement from a Latinx Parent; ACHLA and Family Engagement Minnesota Family Engagement Model
Jan 07, 2023 09:00 AM Global Market (Cooking Class, Small Business Training, Food & Deserts) ('food', 'Diversity', 'openbeam', 'Entrepreneurship') Rochester's cultural communities hosting family friendly winter activities. Come to experience authentic flavors and vibrant traditions.
Jan 07, 2023 10:00 AM Culturally Responsive Business Startup Workshop ('Diversity', 'Entrepreneurship') Funding Your Business - Loans and Grants
Jan 07, 2023 08:00 AM How to be an Effective Board Member ('npc', 'governance') This training is designed to be an introduction to Board service for those joining a new board or those considering doing so. It is also a perfect refresher course for current nonprofit Board members.
Jan 06, 2023 12:00 PM MLK Jr Youth Poetry Contest Submission Deadline ('youth', 'Education', 'Diversity', 'Diversity Council') Each year Diversity Council hosts the MLK Youth Poetry Contest in southeastern Minnesota. Students from all over the region are invited to submit poems celebrating Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. This is the 14th year of Diversity Council's poetry contest, and the theme for this year’s contest is Dr. King’s quote: “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don't know each other; they don't know each other because they have not communicated with each other.”
Dec 21, 2022 08:30 AM Salvation Army Volunteers 2022 Toy & Joy Shop ('youth', 'community engagement') As you know, The Salvation Army is best known this time of year for ringing bells at the Red Kettles, but we have another very important program that runs this time of year. We call it our Toy and Joy Shop.
Dec 15, 2022 04:30 PM CMRC December 2022 Meeting ('diversity', 'Diversity Council', 'CMRC', 'openbeam', 'Diversity', 'cmrc') Topics include: RPS Family Engagement; Olmsted County: Statewide Health Improvement Partnership and DEI Community Corrections Services
Dec 14, 2022 10:00 AM December 14, 2022 Coalition for Rochester Area Housing Alliance ('RAF', 'Housing', 'housing') Topics Include: Community and Member Updates; Future Role of Alliance-Continued
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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.



Ambassadors for Equity and Belonging Program

Rochester Area Foundation is piloting a new type of cohort centered around the concept of “belonging” as a strategic framework,

Last Updated April 29, 2026



University of Minnesota Sales Tax Request

Apr 27, 2026: UMR discussion at City Council Study Session

Last Updated April 29, 2026



Any Path Home push against homelessness

Apr 23, 2026 In the City for Good Forum; Mar 11, 2026 Rochester Area Housing Alliance Discussion

Feb 5, 2025 Post Bulletin Reporting Abstract; Mar 10, 2024 City Council Study Session Update

 

Last Updated April 27, 2026



RCTC Sports Facilities

Apr 27, 2026 City Council Study Session Community Engagement Rochester Regional Sports Center, Stadium & Sports Fields

Last Updated April 26, 2026



Graham Park Exhibition Center Groundbreaking

Apr 24, 2026: Oak View Group to run exhibition center.

Aug 2025: Groundbreaking Construction began Wednesday on a $48.7 million project at Graham Park, Rochester. The centerpiece is an 80,000-square-foot exhibition center with a performance arena seating 1,500 people.

Last Updated April 24, 2026



Rochester Sports and Recreation Complex

Apr 24 PB Reporting: Bill on sports complex 

City Council Discussions:

  • Dec 8, 2025 City Council Meeting
  • Oct 6, 2025 City Council Meeting
  • July 28, 2025 City Council Study Session 

PB Summary; Sample of community feedbacks on Facebook

Last Updated April 24, 2026



America's City for Health (ACH)

Reimagine what can be done to fulfill the vision of ACH

Last Updated April 23, 2026



RPS Proposed Budget Reductions

April 21, 2026: School Board Meeting Revised Proposed Leadership Changes 

April 7, 2026: Budget Reduction Impact

Sep 12, 2023 RPS Board Study Session video recording; Proposed Equity Policy; PB Reporting

Last Updated April 22, 2026



Rochester International Relations Committee

Apr 2026 Siheung, Korean Newsletter; 2026 Winter Newsletter; Sister City Visits Germany Visit

2025 Sister City Trips: Japan; Rochester Sister City Application (Roles and Responsibilities)

Sister Cities Relationship Logs; IRC Meeting Logs

Last Updated April 22, 2026



Joyce Gibbs – A Life of Strength, Service, and Enduring Impact

Apr 22, 2026 Press Release

Rochester NAACP announces passing of Mrs. Joyce Gibbs

 

Last Updated April 22, 2026



City of Rochester Seeks Proposals for Sale and Redevelopment of Parcels

The City of Rochester is now accepting proposals for the sale and redevelopment of two City-owned residential parcels located in the Durand Subdivision and Hilmer’s High View Acres.

Last Updated April 17, 2026



Housing Investment Status and Statistics

Apr 2026 Housing Coalition Tour $4M investment

Jan 2026 Housing Alliance: 2025 Real Estate SEMN Marketing Data, 2025 Coalition Investments

 

Last Updated April 17, 2026



RPS Family Engagement Opportunities

Apr 2026 Family Engagement Policy Meetings

Jan 2026 Announcements: Family Engagement, Caregiver and Parent Empowerment 

Last Updated April 16, 2026



Rochester, MN Supplemental Budget

2026 Apr 13 City Council Study Session on 2027 Supplemental Budget

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

Last Updated April 14, 2026



RPS 2030 Strategic Plan Reviews

Apr 12, 2026 RPS Board Meeting: High School 

Mar 17, 2026 RPS Board Meeting: Middle School

Mar 3, 2026 RPS Board Meeting: Elementary School & Early Childhood 

Last Updated April 12, 2026



Lifestyle Wellness

Apr 2026: Rochester Mayor Proclamation 

March 2020: Rochester Mayor Proclamation  

Lotus Health Foundation Workshops 

Last Updated April 10, 2026



America's City for Health - DMC Development Plan 2025 Update

September 2025 Equity Alliance Series Presentation- Video Recordings, Selected Presentation Screen Shots

References - Sep 2025 DMCC Board 10-Year Midpoint

Last Updated April 06, 2026



2024-2025 RPS Data Analysis

April 2026 Reporting: 2025 High School Graduation Rate 

Sep 2025 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) Improvement Action Plan 

2024-25 Fastbridge Data Analysis and Literacy Plan Update

PB reporting on MCA

Last Updated April 04, 2026



Healthy Living Wellness Tips

2026: KTTC: Midwest Access Video Clips

2025 Sep Newsletter; 2025 Conference Materials

2020 Lifestyle Medicine Symposium (March 19-20)

Last Updated April 02, 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 31, 2026