INTRODUCTION The Third Judicial District Equal Justice Committee (EJC) sponsored this Community Dialogue as part of its efforts to educate identifiable minority populations on the purpose and operation of the courts. The Community Dialogue was also held to listen to the perspective of local minority populations on the courts and learn what they believe the court can do better with respect to understanding minority populations. This first dialogue session was held in Olmsted County, which is home to a large Somali population. In working with a member of the Somali community who is also employed by the District as an interpreter, the local Somali school Rochester Math & Science Academy was chosen as the venue – – for the meeting. Members of the Somali community were invited to attend through postings of flyers at locations in the Rochester area frequented by the Somali community the school, the mosque, and – local Somali-run businesses. The session was also advertised on the local cable television channel. Approximately 40 members of the Somali community attended the session, with eight members of the EJC and three Olmsted County judges facilitating the dialogues. Community Dialogue Plan The Community Dialogue Plan was developed by a planning subcommittee of the Judicial Branch’s Racial Fairness Committee. The Plan provides a template for the Racial Fairness Committee and each Judicial District Equal Justice Committee (EJC) to work together to achieve equitable treatment for all individuals in the court system. The Community Dialogue Plan’s stated purpose is to: Create a public forum for community members to describe their experiences and discuss ideas for advancing racial equality and fairness in the courts. Third Judicial District Session Details The session was held on the morning of October 2, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. 12:00 – p.m. at Rochester Math & Science Academy in Rochester, Minnesota. The small group facilitators included EJC members Judge Jeff Thompson, Judge Nancy Bostrack, – Nitaya Jandragholica, Kevin Riha, Paul Janzen, Suzanne Bublitz, Darlene Larson, and Angie Armon. Other representatives from the Third Judicial District who also facilitated small groups were: Judge Robert Birnbaum, Judge Joseph Chase, Judge Jodi Williamson, and Veronica Marchan. Basic information about the purpose of the Equal Justice Committee, a brief history of the Race Bias Task Force and Racial
INTRODUCTION The Third Judicial District Equal Justice Committee (EJC) sponsored this Community Dialogue as part of its efforts to educate identifiable minority populations on the purpose and operation of the courts. The Community Dialogue was also held to listen to the perspective of local minority populations on the courts and learn what they believe the court can do better with respect to understanding minority populations. This first dialogue session was held in Olmsted County, which is home to a large Somali population. In working with a member of the Somali community who is also employed by the District as an interpreter, the local Somali school – Rochester Math & Science Academy – was chosen as the venue for the meeting. Members of the Somali community were invited to attend through postings of flyers at locations in the Rochester area frequented by the Somali community – the school, the mosque, and local Somali-run businesses. The session was also advertised on the local cable television channel. Approximately 40 members of the Somali community attended the session, with eight members of the EJC and three Olmsted County judges facilitating the dialogues. Community Dialogue Plan The Community Dialogue Plan was developed by a planning subcommittee of the Judicial Branch’s Racial Fairness Committee. The Plan provides a template for the Racial Fairness Committee and each Judicial District Equal Justice Committee (EJC) to work together to achieve equitable treatment for all individuals in the court system. The Community Dialogue Plan’s stated purpose is to: Create a public forum for community members to describe their experiences and discuss ideas for advancing racial equality and fairness in the courts. Third Judicial District Session Details The session was held on the morning of October 2, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Rochester Math & Science Academy in Rochester, Minnesota. The small group facilitators included EJC members – Judge Jeff Thompson, Judge Nancy Bostrack, Nitaya Jandragholica, Kevin Riha, Paul Janzen, Suzanne Bublitz, Darlene Larson, and Angie Armon. Other representatives from the Third Judicial District who also facilitated small groups were: Judge Robert Birnbaum, Judge Joseph Chase, Judge Jodi Williamson, and Veronica Marchan. Basic information about the purpose of the Equal Justice Committee, a brief history of the Race Bias Task Force and Racial
Comm_Dialogue_Report_Final_1.docx