Recommendations / Civic Engagement / Big Idea #2: In D.U.E. Time: Diversity, Unity, and Equity

Big Idea #2: In D.U.E. Time: Diversity, Unity, and Equity

Part of the "DALTON UNITED/UNIDOS" initiative

Civic EngagementDalton-Whitfield Under $250,000

Overview

In D.U.E. Time is a 12-month program focused on diversity, unity, and equity. Believe Greater Dalton would hire a consultant trained in facilitating DEI conversations, and a minimum of 12 culturally, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse community members and business leaders would participate in monthly dinners and dialogue sessions. A playwright artist-in-residence would document stories and issues shared during the sessions and create a one-act play or storytelling performance that can be performed publicly and taken on a community tour to continue conversations throughout Dalton.

Action plan

Short-term
Gather the team that will lead the program design and applicant selection process. Believe Greater Dalton’s Unity Committee selects and hires a consultant, works with the Creative Arts Guild to source a playwright artist-in-residence, and gathers community members to inform the process. Begin recruiting the first cohort through open house/interest meetings, nominations, outreach to neighborhood residents, door-to-door conversations, residential infographics, social media posts, partnership marketing, church announcements, service clubs, schools, and probation officers.
Medium-term
Conduct the year of In D.U.E. Time programming through monthly gatherings, shared meals, dialogue sessions, and story collection. The consultant and planning committee should use community needs assessment results to select themes and guide the curriculum. The playwright will participate in the cohort, document stories, and develop a one-act play/storytelling piece for social change.
Long-term
Conclude with a celebration and public performance of the one-act play. Take the performance on a community tour with the Destination Dalton group using the one-act play as a training and discussion starter for businesses, churches, education facilities, and other local venues.

Expected impact

Projected Partner OrganizationsInstitutional

Tracks core potential partners listed for the initiative.

Timeframe: Short-term
Projected Operational CostOperational

Tracks the annual estimated program budget for In D.U.E. Time.

Timeframe: Short-term
Projected Participation RateCommunity

Tracks the minimum number of community members selected to participate in the first In D.U.E. Time cohort.

Timeframe: Short-term
Projected Community EventsCommunity

Tracks monthly gatherings held during the 12-month program.

Timeframe: Medium-term
Projected Community Awareness CampaignCommunity

Tracks completion of the one-act play/storytelling performance and its use for public dialogue.

Timeframe: Long-term
Projected Civic Engagement GrowthCommunity

Tracks increased civic engagement and participation from the Latinx community through the program and public performances.

Timeframe: Long-term
Projected Outreach CampaignsCommunity

Tracks the community tour of the one-act play through churches, businesses, education facilities, and other local venues.

Timeframe: Long-term
Projected Demographic InclusionEquity

Tracks increased diversity, unity, and equity represented at community events and civic engagement opportunities.

Timeframe: Long-term

Key stakeholders

Believe Greater DaltonBelieve Greater Dalton Unity CommitteeCreative Arts GuildCity of DaltonCoalition of Latino LeadersLatino American AssociationChamber of CommerceLocal Businesses/Civic Clubs

Estimated budget

Annual estimated budget shown is $27,100.00. Budget includes dinners at $3,000, consultant at $12,000, materials at $1,200, playwright at $7,200, traveling production sponsorship of $1,200 per performance, and miscellaneous at $2,500.