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Mission The mission of the City of Plano Multicultural Outreach Roundtable is to partner with the City Council and the diverse citizens of Plano encouraging understanding and participation in the government process and fulfilling the needs and desires of its diverse citizens. Goals Roundtable members will: · Encourage & facilitate communication between the City Council and Multicultural citizens of Plano; · Encourage amity, understanding, a sense of unity, and collaboration among the citizens of Plano; · Assist cultural/diversity groups to gain knowledge of the City of Plano government; · Create opportunities for citizens to participate in a variety of Multicultural activities that promote appreciation of diversity; · Provide recommendations to the city government on matters relating to the cultural diversity and heritage of the Plano citizens; · Act as a clearinghouse of education and information; · Encourage the inclusion of minority groups into the city government; and · Seek and enlist representatives of diverse cultural groups into the Multicultural Outreach Roundtable. Sub Committees 1. Sub Committee for Recreation/Facilities/Services · Identifying and prioritizing the recreational/facilities/services needs of each cultural/diversity group; · Identifying shared needs and services for all cultural/diversity groups; · Enacting a clearinghouse for sharing information and education; · Exploring ways of building partnerships in the provision of the above; and · Sensitizing the city government on the need for changes/additions to already existing services/facilities to incorporate new ideas. 2. Sub Committee for Diversity and Cultural Affairs · Creating a database of the various cultural groups in Plano; · Devising means to seek, attract and enlist various cultural groups into the Plano Multicultural outreach roundtable; · Facilitate interconnected communication between the various cultural groups and the city government; · Foster cultural bonding and recognition; · Promote and advertise International arts, cultures and festivals in Plano; · Build religious and cultural tolerance within the Plano community; · Identify opportunities for all cultures and encouraging community partnerships; · Promoting cultural exchanges within the Plano community; · Creating a news forum (i.e. through Plano Profile) where groups can identify and advertise themselves to the wider Plano Public; and · Encouraging interconnected communication. 3. Sub Committee for the Provision of Direct Services to New Residents · Compile a list of translators to assist new immigrants, and visitors to Plano; · Create a data base for international ambassadors availability; · Identify the needs of each cultural/diversity group; · Identify all cultural groups and the key people in each group; · Propose an orientation system to introduce newcomers to the workings of Plano; and · Explore Liaisons with Real estate agents in order to provide useful contacts for new residents (especially immigrants). 4. Sub Committee for City Government Participation · Formulate an effective and continuing Liaison between the City of Plano and the diversity groups; · Identifying areas that the Multicultural Outreach Program can help the City of Plano in serving the Public; · Exploring ways for partnerships, mutual support, and encouraging pro-activism by diversity/cultural groups in City Council affairs; · Identify the concerns of each group in relation to encouraging a more active participatory role in the City Council Affairs; and · Creating a Retention infrastructure for Institutional memory. 5. Sub Committee for Homeland Security · Identifying a communication system to be used in emergencies and distress situations. Created Friday, April 18, 2003