The Bismarck Human Relations Committee scheduled a community conversation forum for Thursday, Nov. 6, focused on homelessness and the experience of being unhoused. Committee members discussed moderators, panelist slots, inclusion of people with lived experience and partner organizations to increase attendance.
A subcommittee recommended Sister Kathleen as the preferred moderator, with committee members serving as co‑moderators and backups; Michelle Erickson of the Abuse/Assault Resource Center (AARC) and representatives from the coalition were identified as possible moderators or partners. Proposed panelists included representatives or staff from YouthWorks, Pathfinder, Dream Center, Native Inc., Bismarck Public Health (Renee Mock) and service providers that work with youth and families. The committee emphasized that 1–2 panelists with lived experience should be included to center personal perspectives alongside providers.
The group discussed question design and suggested three core questions: (1) How has homelessness affected your sense of belonging? (2) What services or supports are most needed? (3) What innovative or emerging strategies could make a meaningful impact? Members recommended directing question (3) primarily to providers and (1) primarily to people with lived experience, while allowing others to respond.
Committee members discussed partnering with the local homelessness coalition to promote the event and agreed subcommittee members would reach out to panelist prospects and coalition leadership; one member suggested a one‑week response window for invitations before selecting alternatives. The committee asked staff to return with a final panel, confirmed moderators and a proposed outreach plan.