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DEI council proposes "Simsbury Civic Forum" pilot using Braver Angels; board asks for a trial and safeguards
Summary
The Simsbury DEI Council presented a plan for recurring civic forums aimed at respectful cross‑difference dialogue, proposing volunteer facilitation from Braver Angels. Board members urged a pilot session, asked for outreach to underrepresented groups and potential party engagement, and raised concerns about moderation and inclusivity safeguards.
Rick Brush and DEI council co-chairs presented a proposal for a Simsbury Civic Forum intended to foster structured, respectful conversations across political and social differences.
Brush said the forum would be Simsbury‑led, not an outside takeover, and suggested Braver Angels volunteers as neutral facilitators to lead an initial pilot at little or no cost. The stated goals included strengthening trust, building dialogue skills, increasing understanding of complex issues, and creating pathways for constructive citizen input into town decisions.
Board members asked practical questions: how topics would be selected, whether partisan groups (Republican and Democratic municipal committees) should be notified or invited, and whether facilitators might inadvertently diminish voices from underserved communities. One selectman said some reviews of Braver Angels have raised concerns that facilitated dialogue can unintentionally marginalize underrepresented voices; DEI presenters offered to arrange additional briefings with Braver Angels representatives.
Several selectmen recommended a cautious rollout — a single pilot session on a neutral topic such as civic inclusion and belonging, followed by evaluation — rather than immediately launching a multi-session series. Presenters said they expected to host sessions quarterly if the pilot proved successful and stressed that the forum would be designed by local volunteers, with Braver Angels providing facilitation and moderation expertise.
The board asked the DEI council to return with a specific pilot topic, proposed timeline, outreach plan to ensure diverse participation, and clarification about facilitation safeguards. No formal vote was taken; the board signaled support for testing a pilot with evaluation.
