WSU's FOCIS Sets 'CitizenDetroit' Meetings
DETROIT (WWJ) -- Wayne State University's Forum on Contemporary Issues in Society will hold two community discussions and workshops on June 6 and 13 at the International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit.
The free events, titled "What would you do?," continue the successful FOCIS series, which is designed to educate high-performance (active and registered) voters about historical factors and events that contributed to Detroit's economic crisis.
During this year's tabletop exercises, participants will act in the roles of mayor and city council as they deal with the presence of an emergency manager navigating the complex landscape facing city leaders and elected officials.
Coordinated by FOCIS and its CitizenDetroit initiative, the Irvin D. Reid Honors College and the Eugene Applebaum Chair in Community Engagement, each event is expected to draw approximately 100 attendees from various backgrounds, including high-level voters, community activists and block club members. Both scheduled events feature the same format and will run from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit, 111 E. Kirby, Detroit.
Event hosts include Irvin D. Reid, president emeritus, inaugural holder of the Applebaum Chair, director of FOCIS and a principal organizer of CitizenDetroit; and Sheila Cockrel, CitizenDetroit co-organizer, WSU Honors College faculty member, and a former Detroit City Council member and budget committee chair.
As a member of Governor Snyder's Detroit Financial Review Team and a co-signer of the Financial Stability Agreement between the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan, Reid has a unique perspective on the value of CitizenDetroit as a catalyst for putting the power of change back into voters' hands.
"Detroit's elected leaders continue to face daunting challenges as they collaboratively work to revitalize the regional economy, provide badly needed resources to residents and build a sound foundation for the future of Detroit," Reid said. "Following the recent appointment of an emergency manager, Detroit's elected officials now must work within the new dynamics established under the laws and guidelines of the EM position. This is a considerable challenge, and one that must be met in order to achieve success. The role of Detroit's citizens in this process is critical as they become earnestly engaged in the political process and motivated to initiate constructive action. For this to occur, citizens must be educated about the social and political issues facing Detroit."
For more information about FOCIS and CitizenDetroit, visit http://focis.wayne.edu/.
Admission to the event is free, although seating is limited and reservations are required. RSVP to http://specialevents.wayne.edu/2013focis-CitizenDetroit, or call (313) 577-0300.
