Bellevue Neighborhood Forum Series on Shared Responsibility Starts Wednesday

Bellevue's popular neighborhood forums series returns in 2012 with a three- part program focused on sharing responsibility for the common good. The opening forum will be Wednesday, Feb. 29, 7-9 p.m., at .

All three forums are at City Hall and are free. Participants may register for the whole series or for a single forum. An RSVP is requested to jellenhorn@bellevuewa.gov. For more information, contact Neighborhood Outreach staff at 425-452-6836.

Common good explained
Bill Grace, director of Common Good Works, will offer an address focusing on his vision for stewardship and communal responsibility. He will ask Bellevue residents to look at how they can ensure a healthy community for themselves and for future generations.

Grace will help residents reach deeply into their shared values and will push them to care for themselves and their community, based on stewardship of the common good. 

Executive director of the Seattle-based Center for Ethical Leadership before starting Common Good Works in Bellevue, Grace is author of the recently published book, "Sharing the Rock," which will be available for purchase and signing at the forum.

Following Grace's inspirational keynote, participants will have dessert and small group discussions encouraging reflection on the common good as an important message for the times. Groups will identify issues and concerns they feel are important to advancing the common good in Bellevue.

Second forum addresses community needs
On Thursday, March 29, 7-9 p.m., a second forum will focus on key issues in Bellevue, such as providing housing for all members of the community and caring for at-risk youth.

An expert panel will share information that participants will use to delve deeper into the issue of their choice. As a theme, panelists will address how the concept of multi-generational involvement plays out in their subject area. 

Third forum encourages action
Participants are encouraged to move from intention to action at the third forum, scheduled for Thursday, April 19, 7-9 p.m. Bill Grace will lead an interactive hands-on workshop where participants can contribute ideas, identify projects and join with others to move forward on work for the common good. 

Neighborhood Outreach staff will be on hand at the workshop and as an ongoing resource to help with projects and to provide resources and referral.

Neighborhood Forums, which drew sellout audiences in 2011, are made possible this year with the support of several community organizations. Your Local Market, a recent addition to the downtown business community, will provide dessert at each forum.

Neighborhood sponsors including: Bridle Trails Community Club, Somerset Community Association, Horizon Crest Community Association, Horizon Heights Community Association, Woodridge Community Association, Bellecrest Neighborhood Association, Ellenes Addition Neighborhood Association, Newport Hills Community Club, Surrey Downs Community Club, Sunset Community Association, Norwood Village Homeowners Association and Whispering Heights & Collingwood Community Association.

-- Information from the city of Bellevue