Manchester Proud is a community movement working to better understand, appreciate, and support our public schools. Central to our mission is the creation of a new, comprehensive strategic plan for the Manchester School District.  

In order to ensure that the new strategic plan is truly by and for our community, it is essential that the planning process be guided by the people of Manchester. With this in mind, we are accepting applications for the Community Planning Group.

The Community Planning Group will be the representative body that ensures our planning process is meaningfully shaped by our community. Therefore, members will be chosen to represent the interests and ideas of a broad spectrum of Manchester’s residents, educators, businesses, and organizations.

The Community Planning Group must be diverse and highly representative of the community, while also being of a manageable size to support the collaborative process.  Ensuring the diversity of the Community Planning Group is essential to the integrity of the planning process. Accordingly, the Community Planning Group must be reflective of the District's demographics, with a minimum of 40% being persons of color.

Please note that the first meeting of the Community Planning Group will take place on Wednesday, February 20 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. - location to be determined. Manchester Proud will provide childcare for school-aged children, as well as dinner.

Answers from this application may be shared with the final Community Planning Group, as a way for members to get to know each other.

Thank you for your interest in applying for this vital component of Manchester Proud. We will accept applications through Tuesday, February 5, and we will respond to all applicants the following week.

Finally, please note that you cannot save your application and return to it later; you must complete the entire form at once.

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* 1. Applicant Full Name

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* 2. Mailing Address

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* 3. Email

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* 4. Phone

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* 5. Connection to Manchester (check all that apply):

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* 6. Please use this space to elaborate on your connection to Manchester.

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* 7. Members of the Community Planning Group are expected to commit approximately 3-5 hours per month on this project. Manchester Proud will be able to provide child-care for school-aged children during these times.

The first two in-person sessions are on the following days (locations to be determined) - remaining sessions will be decided upon by the Community Planning Group:
Wednesday, February 20: 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 28: 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. (tentative)

Are you able to attend these two in-person planning sessions if you’re selected for this group?

The next set of questions are related to demographics; we are seeking a representative group for this committee, and as such, we hope you will answer each question, although they are voluntary.

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* 8. Please select your age.

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* 9. What is your gender?

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* 10. What best describes your race/ethnicity? Choose all that apply.

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* 11. What best describes your level of completed education? If currently enrolled, please select your highest degree received.

These final questions are your opportunity to share more about your experiences and perspectives, as well as the qualities you will bring to the Community Planning Group. Please use complete sentences and specific details in your answers.

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* 12. Manchester Proud is a community movement, united by our pride in Manchester and our shared commitment to the success of every student, and therefore our entire community. Our stated values and ideals are:
  • Integrity – I will demonstrate the highest standards of personal conduct, accountability, trustworthiness, and fairness.
  • Excellence – I will strive to meet the highest standards of performance, quality, service, and achievement.
  • Honesty – I will communicate directly, respectfully, honestly, and openly.
  • Diversity – I will support and value diversity and inclusivity, embracing and learning from the similarities and differences that people bring to our work.
  • Equity – I will uphold Manchester Proud’s core value of equity, ensuring that personal and social circumstances (e.g. one’s race, ethnicity, gender, economic status, and sexual identity) never hinder one’s ability to participate in Manchester Proud’s work.
In 200 words or fewer, what makes you “Manchester Proud”?

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* 13. In 200 words or fewer, what are your hopes and dreams for the Manchester Public Schools and/or Manchester community?

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* 14. In 200 words or fewer, what unique perspectives will you bring to the Community Planning Group?

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* 15. Have you volunteered/worked with/participated with Manchester Proud before? If so, please share your experience(s) here.

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* 16. Is there anything else you'd like the Selections Committee to know?

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