Do you know your neighbors? Do you feel personally connected to the DeSoto community? Have you attended a DeSoto Dining and Dialogue Dinner event? If your answer to these questions is no, please consider this your personal invitation to attend the next DeSoto Dining and Dialogue Dinner event on Saturday, January 28th at 6:30 p.m.  

For the last eight years, DeSoto Dining and Dialogue has brought together people of various ages and backgrounds to discuss making DeSoto a more vibrant place for all.  By connecting neighbors, the program seeks to build relationships among people from different backgrounds with the ultimate goal of sharing experiences and building a strong community; regardless of color, culture or class.   

The purpose of DeSoto Dining and Dialogue (DDD) is to bring together a group of strangers who all have something in common.  They all live or work in DeSoto and care about their community.  DDD is a volunteer-run organization that provides individuals the opportunity to get to know one another at dinner events with 8 to 10 participants.   These dinners are held three times a year in private homes all over town on the same night.  The discussion is lead by a trained facilitator who guides participants through questions designed to elicit thoughts and opinions on issues facing our community.  Here are some quotes from participants at the last dinner event: 

· One facilitator commented that “the overall consensus of the participants was that DeSoto is a well kept and safe community and the quality of life is very good .”

· A dinner guest said she “enjoyed the open and honest dialogue.”

· Another guest said he was “very interested to hear the opinions of my neighbors.”

· “Understanding other’s perspective on a few of the key issues facing our city and the opportunity to dialogue with neighbors has made my experience at DeSoto Dining and Dialogue invaluable,” said another guest. 

To keep the program strong, we need new guests to attend the next dinner on January 28, 2012.  High School students can receive five hours of community service for attending.   As a guest, your only obligation is to attend the dinner and participate in the discussion.  We also invite previous guests to join us on January 28th.  All you need to do it go to desotodd.org. and register or call Kathy Jones at 972.230.9648 to register by phone.  We must receive your registration by January 13th to participate in this dinner.  Make a commitment to build a strong community by attending DeSoto Dining and Dialogue.