On November 20, 2016, at the behest of several residents, the Winchester Multicultural Network (now the Network For Social Justice) convened the first Civic Gathering at the Winchester Public Library to discuss strategies for promoting social justice and protect civil rights in Winchester. Led by Aba Taylor, Network Executive Director, and Tom Howley, Network community advisor, a standing-room only crowd of over 100 people shared experiences of living, working, and worshiping in Winchester. Following is a short summary of the Gatherings that have been held since that time.
1. "Now What? Building Community After the Election," December 1, 2016, at the Griffin Museum of Photography. A workshop sponsored by the Winchester Multicultural Network and the True Story Theater Improvisational Company, which created performances informed by the real-life stories of audience members.
2. "A Civic Gathering: Strengthening Winchester," February 2, 2017, at the Jenks Center. A community meeting hosted by the Winchester Multicultural Network, the Board of Selectmen, and the School Committee, attended by about 130 people. Speakers were State Representative Michael Day, Network Executive Director Aba Taylor, Selectman Mike Bettencourt, School Committee member Susan Verdicchio, and former Selectman Tom Howley. Tom Howley led attendees in compiling an inspiring list of groups already at work in Town supporting constructive causes, and demonstrating values to which residents aspire, after which participants moved into self-selected roundtable topics to explore issues and organize themselves toward action.
3. "Building Momentum in the Service of a Caring and Connected Community," May 18, 2017, at the Sanborn House. Sponsor was the Winchester Multicultural Network. Speakers and facilitators were Aba Taylor, Tom Howley, Michael Bettencourt, Susan Verdicchio, and Hillary Turkewitz, and representatives of over a dozen resident-led activist groups reported on their activities. It was here that the concept of "The Town Common" was enthusiastically adopted.
4. "Advancing the Progress of Building a Caring and Connected Community," September 18, 2017, at Sons of Italy Hall. Sponsors were the Select Board, the School Committee, and the Winchester Multicultural Network; Network’s director Aba Taylor moderated. About 60 residents attended. With a painting and a large photograph of the iconic oak tree in the Winchester Common in the background, the Members of the Town Common Task Force were introduced and described their goals. New and continuing action groups described their activities. The group then formed smaller groups to discuss Youth and Schools, Economic Justice, Interfaith, Refugee and Immigrant Rights, Environmental Justice, Civic Involvement and Education, and Diverse Winchester.
5. "Fostering Collaboration in the Service of a Caring and Connected Community," March 22, 2018, at the Griffin Museum of Photography. Sponsors were the Winchester Multicultural Network, the Town Common Task Force, the Winchester Board of Selectmen and the Winchester School Committee. About 75 people attended. The gathering included updates about three local initiatives and the work the TCTF has been doing to further the goal of online information sharing. Essential Partners, a nationally-renowned nonprofit facilitation group, led a skill building exercise designed to enable groups and individuals in Winchester to have more constructive conversations. The gathering also included expressions of support for the families and all affected by the fatal stabbing of a young woman in the Public Library just three days previously.
6. "Connecting Anew for a Caring and Connected Community," October 17, 2018, the Jenks Center. It began with presentations by outgoing Town Manager Richard Howard, incoming Town Manager Lisa Wong, Director of the Council on Aging Phillip Beltz, School Committee member Michelle Bergstrom, and Committee Chair of the Winchester Archives Advisory Nancy Schrock, moderated by Finance Committee Member Samantha Allison and Winchester for Educational Excellence (WFEE) Executive Director Caren Connelly. Participants then gathered at tables to discuss topics that included environmental concerns, public safety, cultural life, schools and youth, and the aging population.
7. "Civic Gathering: Winchester's Master Plan," May 14, 2019, at Winchester High School. A discussion and workshop of issues related to the Master Plan, with the collaboration of J.M. Goldson consultants, who are working with Winchester town planners to construct the first master plan in some 65 years. Town Common Task Force member Susan Verdicchio gave an overview; John Kilborn of Mystic River Watershed described environmental issues; Peter Pulsifer of the Winchester Cultural Council urged that cultural infrastructure be part of the plan. Participants then worked in small groups to provide input to planners on their priorities for the future.
8. "Civic Gathering With Winchester Youth: Strengthening Our Community," October 17, 2019, at the Jenks Center, was a community conversation, planned in conjunction with town youth, to ensure that the talents and perspectives of our youth are an integral part of building a caring, connected and inclusive community. A discussion facilitated Sal Caraviello included a panel of students, who described their goals and experiences with institutions in the town.