Dear Citizens of Nottingham,
Many thanks to all those who attended our 'Citizens Celebration' at the start of the month - 120 people representing 28 of our members institutions turned out to celebrate the people, the institutions, and the justice that has been won for our city in recent months and years. We ratified our leadership group, ran the rule over our finances, had 121's with one another, ate cake, drank tea, shared and debated ambitious plans for the future, were treated to some wonderful dancing from Radford Academy students, and looked ahead to a Spring Accountability Assembly to which you pledged to bring over 800 people to...and all of this in less than 2 hours! We're in the process of booking a big room...stay tuned!
We heard how each of our 4 ongoing strategy actions teams need your help, and that of those in your institutions, in order to get their various areas of work through to wins by the Spring;
 Hate Crime: Assemblies at schools around the County have now concluded [Arnold Hill, left] with plans for a 'Schools Summit' in the new year underway. The team continue to push the survey across the city. Please continue to do the same.
Team meeting: Jan 9th, 6.30-8pm @God's Vineyard
Homelessness: The team are partnering with 'Clean Sheet', and need your help to recruit businesses in the city to become 'Clean Sheet Employers' in a bid to ensure that every person who leaves prison in Nottingham who wants work can be offered it. Training will be offered to those who want to help - simply pitch up to our next team meeting on the 22nd January, 6.30-8pm @TBC.
Modern Slavery: as a previously non-mandated team, delegates gave permission for some increased organiser time to be given to support the work over the next few months. Stay tuned for an opportunity for every institution to sign a 'Slavery Free Community' pledge. Team meeting: January 23rd, 2pm @UoN (venue TBC)
Air Pollution: the team welcome new interest and energy as they work through potential actions. Team meeting: 16th January, 6.30-8pm @Sherwood Methodist.
Please share the above with your institution and send names of those interested in joining in to Bilal or myself.
 Many thanks to Alex Norris (MP Nottingham North) for spending a few hours with us this month, hearing from our action teams, sharing food with our leaders, and committing to actively support and champion our work both locally and in Parliament. We look forward to continuing this relationship in the coming months and years.
Two important events next month:
- 'The Living Wage Explored' - What is the Living Wage? Why should organisations pay it? What does 'accreditation' mean for my organisation? This is an important event for all member institutions - if you are not yet living wage accredited, we'd love you to send a representative along to this event to explore it with us. January 19th, 11am-12.30pm @St Nics.
- The 'Missing Muslims' Roadshow Event. Join with the Muslim community from across Nottingham to explore the recommendations of Citizens UK's report into 'Unlocking the British Muslim potential for the benefit of all'. January 30th, 7pm (prayers), 7.30pm start @Karimia Institute (Bobbers Mill Mosque)
 We were delighted to welcome Citizens UK Executive Director, Neil Jameson, to share a few words with us at our celebration, particularly in light of his recently announced retirement next year. As we continue to organise for justice and the common good in 2018, his reminder to us was a stark one...'We can either make history, or be history'. Let that be the impetus we need to head into 2018 with even greater vigor than before to get organised and to act on behalf of this wonderful city.
Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas.
Pete
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