Members of the Town of Needham Human Rights Committee reviewed plans for a two-session program titled Community Conversations on Race.

The planning group — which includes community volunteers and representatives from the school system, the Chinese Friends of Needham and the select board — is using a consultant’s outline for two sessions that will aim to engage majority‑group residents as well as people who have experienced discrimination. Committee members said the objective is to move beyond personal testimony and to structure sessions to motivate sustained engagement from attendees who are not already involved in equity work.

The committee confirmed it has one open spot to appoint a second Human Rights Committee representative to the steering group after a recent member stepped down. Committee members said the group will conduct planning meetings (the next planning meeting was noted for January 30 in committee discussion) and will reach out to additional stakeholders, including the police department and the community council, as programming is finalized.

Members praised school system involvement and described the sessions as an initial step in a longer series rather than a single one-off event. The planning group will return with a refined plan for publicizing the sessions and integrating follow‑up work.

Ending: The committee agreed to designate a second liaison, continue planning with the consultant, and bring a publicity and outreach plan to a future meeting.