• Facilitated dialogues (four two-hour meetings with 20 participants) will include structured activities on race and ethnicity and time for open discussion. Each group will be composed of ethnically and racially diverse participants. Multi-session dialogues are far more effective than single meetings. The purpose of the dialogues and the ground rules will be clearly defined
• Group facilitators will be recruited from a variety of community organizations and trained in a common dialogue model, such as those used by the National Conference for Community & Justice, Study Circles Resource Center, One America and the Anti-Defamation League's World of Difference program.
• Participants are asked to commit to attending all 4 sessions, but will be encouraged to continue meeting with fellow group members afterwards on an activity or project of their choosing. Many groups have formed friendships and continue to get together to socialize or to engage in further dialogue on various issues.
• Occasional events will be planned to mark project milestones and celebrate the efforts of City-Wide Dialogues participants, facilitators, hosts, volunteers, donors, supporters and committee members. Participants are invited to help plan the events!

PARTICIPANTS
Boston Residents: recruited through a variety of outreach methods in every neighborhood. The main criterion for participation is a willingness to engage in the dialogue process: to learn, listen and participate

Boston Workers: larger local employers could participate by allowing employees to engage in the dialogues on-site during work hours

Public Employees & Elected Officials : would also be encouraged to participate