Learn To Get Involved At West Hartford Library Forum Tonight

WEST HARTFORD, CT — West Hartford residents will have an opportunity Monday night to hear from state and local leaders and discuss ways to participate in civic life beyond voting.

The West Hartford African American Social & Cultural Organization, or WHAASCO, is hosting "Beyond the Ballot: A Community Conversation on Civic Engagement" from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, in the lower-level meeting room at Noah Webster Library,20 S. Main St.

Organizers describe the event as a conversation among residents, grassroots organizers, community organizations and local leaders about the different ways people can participate in their communities and become involved in decisions affecting their neighborhoods.

West Hartford Town Councilor Lisa Lazarus will moderate the discussion.

Scheduled panelists are Connecticut Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas; Matt Conway, executive director of The RiseUP Group Inc.; Elizabeth "Bette" Marafino, president of the Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans; Luis Rodriguez-Porter, director of volunteer services at Connecticut Foodshare; and Adrienne Billings-Smith, West Hartford's employee development and community engagement manager and a former Town Council member.

WHAASCO said the program is intended for both residents who are new to civic involvement and those who already participate in community organizations or activism.

WHAASCO was founded in 1979 and focuses on civic, cultural, and community engagement in West Hartford.

For more information and to register, click on this link.