Forums
Lunch Time Forums 2010
One aspect of Restoring the Soul: Faith and Community Partnership’s mission is community education on crucial social issues. These Forums present current information via local, expert panelists who are personally involved with the topic issue. The Forums address the information needs of congregations, service agencies and the general citizenry.
People are invited to attend the Forums free of charge at lunchtime, usually on the fourth Thursday of the month. The program is hosted at Congregation Har HaShem, 3950 Baseline Road, Boulder. Everyone is welcome to attend and participate in the Q & A session. Snacks are provided or you may also bring a vegetarian lunch as our host site is kosher.
There is time for networking at the end of each panel discussion. Both service agencies and congregations have learned about partnering and available resources’ and have made valuable connections during this time. (For example, after the panel on the issues of returning soldiers, Veterans Helping Veterans Now made a relationship with a lawyer in the audience who offered pro bono services to this newly forming organization.)
Beginning in October 2008, the Forums have been taped by KGNU, a Boulder radio station. They are broadcast to a potential audience of thousands of listeners. You can also listen here – see links below.
Upcoming Forums
February 2010
Date: Thursday, February 25, 2010
Topic: Homelessness: Tension and Compassion in Community
Panelists:
Joy Eckstine, Carriage House
Joe Pickett, St. Andrew Presbyterian Emergency Warming Center
Jim Budd, Boulder Outreach for Homeless Overflow
Facilitator:
Greg Harms, Boulder Shelter for the Homeless
Past Forums
January 2010
LISTEN: Social Trends (MP3)
Date: Thursday, January 28, 2010
Topic: Social Trends Impacting Our Lives in Boulder County
The Community Foundation of Boulder County publishes a study of major social trends, which will be the source for the forum.
Panelists:
Chris Barge, The Community Foundation
Lee Shainis, Intercambio de Comunidades
Perla Delgado, Boulder County's Community Action Program (CAP)
Laura Matthews, Boulder County Aging Services
November 2009
LISTEN: Mental Illness (MP3)
Date: Thursday, November 19, 2009
Topic: How are people chronic mental illness supported in the Boulder community?
Financial appropriations for mental illness have been cut consistently in recent years. What is happening to services? How can congregations participate?
Panelists:
Rev. Dr. Stan Adamson, Interface Boulder
Rabbi Deborah Bronstein, Congregation Har HaShem
Susan Marine, Interfaith Network on Mental Illness
Janine D'Anniballe, Mental Health Center of Boulder and Broomfield Counties
Facilitator: Barbara Gould, Outreach Coordinator, Congregation Har HaShem
Comments:
"Excellent panelists in terms of compassion, knowledge, and different personalities."
"Excellent panel."
"It made me want to volunteer to help people with mental illness."
"I learned about resources and the nature of compassion."
"Good program. Very educational."
"The unity of purpose among mental health professionals and clergy became clear."
October 2009
LISTEN: Crime in Boulder County (MP3)
Date: Thursday, October 22, 2009
Topic: Crime in Boulder County: Impact of the economic downturn and social remedies
Panelists:
Walt Czapran, Probation Supervisor, Adult Team, 20th Judicial District
Officer Larry Gibson, Latino Community Liason, Boulder Police Department
Sgt. Sue Yankovich, Programs, Boulder County Jail
Tania Leontov, Executive Director, FOCUS
Comments:
"An appreciation for the interaction in the system of government, agencies, and volunteers"
"Glad to see the excellent programs going on"
“Fascinating to learn more about the views from criminal justice staff”
“Heartening to learn that the approach to offenders is moving from containment and punishment to rehabilitation”
“Speakers were very informative”
September 2009
LISTEN: Faith and Facebook (MP3)
Date: September 24, 2009
Topic: Faith and Facebook
How congregations and service agencies can make effective use of the leading edge internet social network programs, such as blogs, ning, facebook, twitter, and more.
Panelists:
Luke Humbrecht, VineLife Church
Kim M. Sporrer, APR, Humane Society of Boulder Valley
John Boyle, Calvary Bible
Dan Hanley, Boulder County AIDS Project
Facilitator: Melanie M. Sidwell, Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado at Boulder
Comments:
"Very relevant for an organization just getting into this"
"Other people's opinions on social media are great"
"I was educated on several other websites I wasn't aware of"
“Excellent presentation”
“Clarified the whole idea of social networking for me. I will use this for my congregation.”
May 2009
LISTEN: Faith Communities Reaching Out to GLBTQ (MP3)
Date: May 28, 2009
Topic: Faith Communities Reaching Out to GLBTQ
Boulder is a community that prides itself on being open-minded and welcoming. Is that everyone’s experience?
Panelists:
Kristen Kinard, PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
Holly Berman, Har HaShem Cantorial Soloist
Emily Lewis, GLBT Outreach of Boulder County Aging Services and Rainbow Elders
Thomas Riis, First Congregational Church Boulder
Comments:
"Great speakers"
"Very good sharing"
"Communication! Made me think...learned something."
"Beautifully run"
"Excellent"
"Vibrant group of speakers"
April 2009
LISTEN: Death and Dying (MP3)
Date: April 30, 2009
Topic: How Shall We Live, Knowing We Will Die?
We associate the end of life as all about dying, but it is also about how to live well to the very moment of death. Our panelists are experienced in working with others and the process of dying. They will share their views, their experiences and their suggestions.
Panelists:
Kim Mooney, HospiceCare
Andrew Holecek, Shambhala Buddhist Community
Rabbi Victor Gross, Co-Director of the Sageing project of Aleph: Alliance for Jewish Renewal
Rev. Sally Ponfick, Lutheran pastor
Comments:
"The panelists presented useful insights for my work with declining and dying residents and family."
"I loved the depth of insight and humor."
"Excellent!"
"The stories were wonderful!"
"Possibilities were presented with compassion and humor."
February 2009
LISTEN: Caring for Others: Mining the Social Capital of Our Community (MP3)
Date: February 26, Thursday
Topic: Caring for Others, Mining the Social Capital of Our Community
When our familiar world is in such jeopardy, what is our greatest resource, our treasury? It is each other, called "Social Capital." It is our social networks and the inclinations that arise from these networks to do things for each other. What is the power that makes these relationships effective in supporting and nurturing the community? It is people power. It is volunteering.
Learn about Social Capital.
Panelists:
Joy Orf, Community Outreach Director, Calvary Bible Church, a congregation that went from an exclusive internal focus to deep community engagement in 3 years.
Melanie Nehls, Office Administrator, Trinity Lutheran Church
Comments:
"Excellent. The information was significant for me personally and for my church. It inspired me to help our church become more externally focused."
"Great vision. Great ideas"
"I made notes on the innovative ways my church be be further involved in our immediate community"
"It was great to hear what our faith communities are doing"
"Excellent. I was wondering how Spirit might be moving, challenging our congregation in this area; sharing helps jumpstart some questions/ideas for me/us."
January 2009
LISTEN: Recession and Nonprofits (MP3)
Date: January 22.
Topic: The Impact of Recession on Nonprofits: Agencies and Congregations.
These organizations depend on the community’s well-being to fill their coffers, funding services and development. What happens when hard times hit?
Panelists:
Josie Heath, President, The Community Foundation Serving Boulder County
Rev. Dr. Stan Adamson, St Andrew Presbyterian Church
Barbara Navin, Thistle Housing Community Land Trust Director and Board Member, Shambhala Community Trust
Terry Benjamin, Executive Director, Emergency Family Assistance Association
Comments:
"I was grateful to hear about the dedicated service of specific non-profits represented on the panel"
"The panel was excellent. I appreciated the ideas for increasing interaction, caring and fundraising."
"I was grateful to hear what was happening in the County and making contact with other organizations."
" The Forum was good and it was helpful to hear about recent trends in giving at other agencies."
November 2008
LISTEN: The December Dilemma: Cultural Impact of the Christmas Holidays (MP3)
Date: Thursday, November 20, 2008
Topic: The December Dilemma: Cultural Impact of the Christmas Holidays
The season of the Christmas holidays is a time of emotional impact on our entire culture, regardless of people’s beliefs. It is a time when some people take joy in the religious significance and the beauty of the season; for children of different faiths it can be a time of confusion and a sense of exclusion; for isolated or grieving people, it can be a time of intense loneliness. A diverse panel of faith leaders and service providers will explore the issues.
Panelists:
Pastor Ramin Razavi, The New Collective Church
Mary Sweet, Shambhala Buddhist Community
Barbara Gould, Outreach Director, Congregation Har Hashem
Rev. Liz Simmons, Assistant Rector, St. Johns Episcopal Church
Comments:
"It was good to hear the various religious perspective and share ideas on how to deepen the sipriitual meaning and lessen materialism."
"The information was excellent and I was alerted to the need for more sensitivity to interfaith concerns in mixed families and communities."
"I definitely heard new perspectives and views about how people navigate the xmas season. It was good to remember."
"It was wonderful to hear the different perspectives and difficulties that come from each tradition."
October 2008
LISTEN: Faith / Politics / Action (MP3)
Date: Thursday, October 23
Topic: Faith/Politics/Action: How do people with strong religious convictions integrate their faith and politics, then actively express their commitment?
Panelists:
Jeremy Shaver, Director of Outreach, Interfaith Alliance of Colorado
Joe Pelle, Sheriff, Sheriffs Department Boulder County
Ibrahim Kazerooni, Imam
Stan Cowan, Executive Director, Congregation Har HaShem
Audience Comments:
"The topic was pertinent and timely for our congregation. We are currently dealing with an internal discussion of when can a church group speak on an issue publicly."
"The Forum was excellent we received new information and adice on issues, i.e. advocates for Dafur genecide prevention."
"I welcome these discussions as they open up more and shared possibility for dialogue."
"I received new information, still thinking."
"There were excellent points ade on the separation of church and state."
Past Forum Topics – 2006-2008
2008
Candidates Address the Role for Nonprofits
Who Falls into the Healthcare Gap in Boulder County
The Pain and Promise of the Teen Years
Elder Neglect and Abuse in Boulder County
Care and Educational Opportunities for the Young Child
How is Our Carbon Footprint? Surprise Activity in Boulder County
The Traumatic Impact of War: a situation beyond politics
The Teen Culture of Violence
LISTEN: The Teen Culture of Violence – September 2008 (MP3)
Faith/Politics/Action
LISTEN: Faith / Politics / Action (MP3)
The December Dilemma
LISTEN: The December Dilemma: Cultural Impact of the Christmas Holidays (MP3)
2007
Looking into the Face of Homelessness
Exploring Collaborative Relationships
The Invisible Epidemic: AIDS
This Beautiful Earth: Is It a Sacred Trust
On the Front Line: Can We Meet All the Needs
The Forgotten Young People of Boulder County
What is Boulder County Doing About Crime?
2006
Faith Communities Responding to Racism: Katrina as an example.
Inspiring Engagement in Community Service: Curricula for Study and Volunteer Support
Sanctuary, Service and Spirituality, safe communities response to the immigration debate
Faith, Family and Fairness: Bringing Domestic Partnership Out of the Closet
Improving Access to High-Quality, Affordable Child Care in Boulder County
What is required to guide a congregation toward externally focused concerns that involve active and engaged volunteers.
The December Dilemma: Cultural Impact of the Christmas Holidays.
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