Detroit, we need you! Here's a message from the Detroit Charter Commission Chair, Jenice Mitchell Ford.
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 Dear Community Members and Group Leaders:

 As Chair of the City of Detroit Charter Commission, I extend the entire Commission's appreciation for you/your organization's support of, or interest in, Phase I - Education Phase of the charter revision process. We are now moving into Phase II - Charter Conventions Phase.

PHASE II - CHARTER CONVENTIONS:
This is the phase where we have significant public engagement and ask citizens to come to the table in working sessions with ideas for charter revisions.

The three [[3) Charter Conventions will be held on:
Saturday, Nov. 6th [[9am to 5pm) and Sunday, Nov. 7th [[1pm to 5pm)
Saturday, Nov. 20th [[9am to 5pm) and Sunday, Nov. 21st [[1pm to 5pm)
Saturday, Dec. 4th [[9am to 5pm) and Sunday Dec. 5th [[1pm to 5pm)
WHAT CHARTER CONVENTION IS and IS NOT:
- IS opportunity for participants to engage in productive, focused working group discussions about charter related topics.
- IS NOT designed to be a town hall meeting with open microphones where individuals speak on non-charter related topics.

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED TO:
- Send/mail the attached flier to your membership.
- Commit to have a certain number of your membership attend the conventions.
- Provide volunteers to staff the conventions [[serve as discussion facilitators, recorders, greeters, registers, etc.).
- Partner with Commission to promote events.

FOR MORE INFORMATION & NEXT STEPS:
- Call [[313) 628-2517 or visit at 65 Cadillac Square, Suite 3210, Detroit MI 48226.
 - Register at www.2009dcrc.org.
- Complete and return attached partnership form.
 - Visit www.2009dcrc.org for more details. A more detailed schedule will be posted at website shortly.

 SAMPLE CHARTER CONVENTION SCHEDULE:
 SATURDAY [[9am to 5pm)
- Charter Commission full meeting/plenary session [[45 mins)
- 5 to 9 Morning Sessions [[concurrent/simultaneous): Where panel provides data driven information on a particular topic
- Lunch
- 5 to 9 Afternoon Sessions [[concurrent/simultaneous): Where working groups use information learned in the morning to discuss proposed language. Sessions will be led by Commissioner[[s) and feature a facilitator and a recorder to record all the ideas generated.
 SUNDAY [[1pm to 5pm)
- Opening General Session [[30-45 mins)
- Working Sessions [[concurrent/simultaneous): Where participants use information learned in Saturday morning session to discuss proposed language. Will follow same format as Saturday afternoon working session.
 THANK YOU for your continued support. Feel free to disseminate the attached flier and partnership form widely. Thanks again.

 Jenice Mitchell Ford, Chair
City of Detroit Charter Commission
65 Cadillac Square, Suite 3210
Detroit, Michigan 48226
[[313) 628-2517