News Flash

The Department of Neighborhood Improvement Services (NIS) will host a series of FREE classes to educate community groups and organizations on the City of Durham’s contracting processes and to inform these organizations on how to become a formal Community-Rooted Partner for engaging Durham’s historically underserved neighborhoods and underrepresented communities.    

This course will provide simplified explanations, and equip community groups with tools so they are prepared to enter formal contracts with the City.  Community members and groups that complete this course will receive a certificate. Complete the short registration form via: https://www.durhamcommunityengagement.org/news if you or your community organization is interested in this opportunity.  NIS staff will contact you with more information. 

Registration will be open through Wednesday, September 23.  Classes will be held online once a week, beginning Thursday, September 24, and concluding on Thursday, October 29. Each class will be two hours long and include City and community speakers to cover these topic areas: 

• How to respond to the City’s requests for proposals (RFPs);
• The role of a Community-Rooted Partner; and
• How to successfully navigate Community Engagement Consulting systems and processes as a community-rooted partner (Project Management and Storytelling).

Classes will be recorded for future reference. The NIS Community Engagement staff will also provide technical assistance, support, and guidance to course participants outside of these classes.   

If you have questions regarding registration or about this course, an informational session will be held on Thursday, September 17 from 4 pm to 6 pm via Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2753417588.  *For more details on the City’s Equitable Community Engagement Blueprint, visit the NIS’ webpage or contact Equitable Community Engagement Strategist Laura Biediger with the City’s Neighborhood Improvement Services Department by email at [email protected] or by calling (919) 560-1647, ext. 34259. 

About the Neighborhood Improvement Services Department Community Engagement Division

The Neighborhood Improvement Services Department works to preserve and improve quality of life conditions for Durham residents, and to encourage active participation in neighborhood redevelopment and public policy and decision-making dialogue. The department’s Community Engagement Division strives to inform, engage, and partner with the Durham community through a people-focused process that increases the collective financial and human capacity of neighborhoods to improve the quality of life for the individuals who live, work and play there. Community building includes incremental and measurable projects, programs, and activities that lead to positive, long-term systemic change.