CSI Aims to Engage Community at Upcoming Event

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (News Release) – Two organizations at the College of Southern Idaho have teamed up to create a community event that they hope will promote better public engagement and involvement.

“Creating Healthy Communities Through Engagement” will be an inclusive conversation about working together productively to reach common ground in business, education, and community. It’ll begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 14, in CSI’s Fine Arts Theater.

“We hope to promote well-being in the lives of those who live in the Magic Valley,” said Samra Culum of the CSI Student Affairs office, one of the hosting organizations.

John Brannen heads the CSI Civility Project, which is the other event sponsor.

“If you want to touch people’s smartness and bring out their brilliance, then you need to create a space where people feel safe enough to speak, to listen to one another, to be heard, to offer support and to coach one another,” said Brannen about what to expect at the event.

At 6:30 p.m., panel members who have volunteered to be a part of the event will introduce themselves, followed by a 15-minute presentation from Brannen. After brief remarks from the panel, questions and comments will be taken from the audience.

Panel members include Twin Falls Mayor and Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shawn Barigar; Twin Falls School District Director of Policy, Grants and Federal Programs Bill Brulotte; Managing Director of Miss Africa Idaho Winnie Christensen; Chapter President of the Society for Human Resource Management Rebekah Yancey; CSI Communication Professor Tiffany Seeley-Case; and a representative from St. Luke’s Magic Valley.

Organizers hope attendees will be motivated by what they hear to become more actively and positively engaged in their communities. Audience members will be encouraged to gather names and contacts for community resources in their communities and to take a civility pledge.