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CRB outlines community events, volunteer drives and internship plans
Summary
Board members discussed expanding outreach with festivals, town halls and a volunteer roster; staff said an internship program targeting university and law students is being developed.
The Community Review Board discussed plans to expand outreach through community events, a volunteer roster and an internship program linking local schools and universities.
Executive Director Pitcher and Community Engagement Manager Miss Cash described annual events including a spring community event and a fall festival, and proposed a citywide town hall in July to convene criminal-justice stakeholders. Pitcher said the board's 2022 town hall at the Luby Center was successful and is a model for future events.
Board members asked for a regular call for volunteers and suggested partnering with churches or community organizations to staff single events. Pitcher explained the board typically collects volunteer sign-ups at festivals (bridal festival, Juneteenth) and follows up, but acknowledged many sign-ups are not sustained and that a more active recruitment process is needed.
On internships, Pitcher said Miss Cash is developing a program and that the board has hosted a high-school intern annually; the board has had prior connections with Tennessee State University and Vanderbilt and could pursue undergraduate, graduate and law-student placements. Pitcher noted last year's request for paid internship funds was not granted and said staff would seek those funds again.
Members suggested engaging Big Picture High School (which requires internships for students) and contacting local law professors to recruit law students for research support. The board agreed to continue local, off-site meetings to reach communities that cannot travel downtown for 5 p.m. sessions.
No formal policy was adopted; staff will continue to build volunteer lists, develop an internship plan and work with member Cash to coordinate potential organizational partners.
