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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, July 19, 2010 Page 7 Council for their awareness and to encourage those specific neighborhood organi- zations, and any that needed assistance in getting organized. Chair Singleton noted one example could be assigning individual HRC members to each district to engage those groups and determine their interests and concerns, and then report to the full HRC. Member Grefenberg referenced the definition of Civic Engagement from the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, used by the Roseville HRC in their grant application criteria to the Bremer Foundation; and was asked by Mayor Klausing to share that definition for the public: "Civic engagement refers to individual and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern. Civic engagement can take many forms, from individual volunteerism to organizational involvement. It can include efforts to directly address an issue, work with others in a community to solve a problem, or interact with the institutions of democ- racy. " Mayor Klausing complimented the HRC and thanked them for their work on the annual community forums, which he found very informative and productive; their sponsorship of the Karen forum earlier this year, and the positive feedback he'd received on that event, as well as the annual Student Essay Contest. Chair Singleton noted the HRC's interest in developing community districts, as well as reinstating a Youth Commissioner to the HRC to provide their voice and perspective on Human Rights issues; as well as reviewing the HRC by-laws, last updated in the 1980's, to ensure they reflect the work of the HRC today. Member Kennedy extended credit to the City's Police and Fire Departments and Ms. Sarah Mahmud for the success of the Karen forum, through their openness on some tough issues and cultural differences, and their willingness to be open to learning as well as teaching, allowing for very good dialogue. Mayor Klausing concurred that the forums provided a great opportunity for an ex- change of information, including expectations, laws, questions, discussion, and in- formative interaction, not just a presentation of lectures. Member Kennedy opined that it may be interesting and enlightening to have such a discussion with the City's Caucasian population as well. Member McKenzie opined that planning was key to the success of that entire fo- rum: by the church partners; School District personnel; and the City's Fire and Police Departments; with the School District representatives encouraging all par- ticipants to learn the Karen greeting as a way to welcome their participation,