The face of the Fox Cities is changing.  People of many cultures, including Hmong, African American, Native American, gay/lesbian and Hispanic, have enriched our community.

Change is not always easy or comfortable.  Toward Community: Unity in Diversity was orgnized in 1993 to promote appreciation for the growing diversity in our community an dto advocate justice for people of all cultures and ethnic backgrounds.

We are a volunteer, nonprofit organization which meets the third Wednesday of each month.  We welcome new members.  Contact us for more information.
 

If you believe in our mission and wish to help, please join us! Click here for a membership application.
 

• Chairperson: Terry Dawson
• Vice Chair (Membership): Barbara Chambers
• Vice Chair (Public Relations): Badri Varma
• Recording Secretary: Ellie Olson
• Corresponding Secretary: Connie Raether
• Treasurer: Carol Bloemer
• Members at Large:
  • Ram Shet
  • Tony Gonzales
  • Jeff Kuepper
  • Kathy Flores
  • Henry Golde
  • Julie Heidemann
    

• Accomplishments 2000
• Accomplishments 2001
• Year in Review 2003
• Year in Review 2004
• Advocacy (review of advocacy activities in 2000)
• Center for New Community article (confronting Christian Identity and Scriptures for America)
• Forgiveness (thoughts about and by Henry Golde, Holocaust survivor).

Pre-history:
January 16, 1992 and January 17, 1993 -- Martin Luther King Services held in Appleton (some of the founders of Toward Community helped plan these events).

February 25, 1993 A small group of individuals meet to initiate the formation of a new group that could tackle problems of racism and work toward welcoming minorities to the Appleton area.

May 15, 1993 About 20 people attend a meeting at Coleman Hall on the Lawrence University campus and form a new organization, Toward Community. (Later that year, the name is changed to Toward Community: Unity In Diversity) Those in attendance brainstorm ideas and create a mission statement. Our mission is to promote unity through a sharing of cultural values, an appreciation of the richness of diversity and a commitment to justice through education, advocacy and service. We are committed to inter-ethnic understanding and cooperation. Roger Bertschausen is chosen first chairperson of the organization.

October 23, 1993 The new organization, known as Toward Community, plans its first activity: a panel discussion, musical performance and social hour at Lawrence University.

November 1993 About 50 people attend a Toward Community meeting at Moses Montefiore Synagogue and begin to discuss an action plan for the organization. Meeting attendance dwindles throughout the year.

August 1993 Members of the organization vote to change the name to Toward
Community: Unity In Diversity. There are no dues required for membership at this time. A mailing list of about 100 people is maintained and between 10 to 15 people attend meetings on a regular basis.

August 1994 Members begin the Discrimination Free Zone Project, an effort to get Downtown Appleton businesses to sign a statement pledging not to discriminate against customers. By Jan. 12, 1995, 80 Appleton businesses have signed onto the project.

February 1995 Scott Peeples is chosen to be the second chairperson of the
organization.

September 1995 First Celebrate Diversity picnic is held at City Park in Appleton. About 40 people attend

March 24, 1997 A project summary shows a total of 124 businesses have signed the Discrimination Free Zone Pledge in the Appleton, Little Chute, Menasha and Neenah downtown shopping districts.

July 13, 1997 Celebrate Diversity Picnic attendance climbs to 150.

August 1997 Toward Community merges with Fox Valley Unites Diversity Subcommittee. The chairs of the Fox Valley Unites group are Sarah Long Radloff and Pam Vang.

February 1998 Toward Community elects its first Executive Committee, which includes Scott Peeples (chair) Pam Vang (vice chair), Sarah Long-Radloff (vice chair), Pastor G. Manns (treasurer), Jane LaChapelle McCarty (recording secretary), Loretha Dempsey (corresponding secretary) and Ana Maria Valdez Ortiz (member at large) A membership dues structure for the organization is implemented.
By the end of 1998, there are 75 dues paying members. (About 150 were on the mailing list before dues.)

April 1, 1998 The City of Appleton approves a proclamation to promote a welcoming community as a result of Toward Community's Living Together, Working Together campaign. This "welcome" campaign also involves people putting signs in their windows to send a welcoming message to diverse cultures.

August 17, 1998 The City of Menasha approves the Living Together, Working Together resolution to promote a welcoming community.

September 1, 1998 Toward Community’s executive committee appears on the cover of the Scene Newspaper with the headline – “Coming of Age: the emergence of Toward Community.”

October 1998 Toward Community members approve bylaws for the organization

Oct. 17, 1998 First Foods of All Nations celebration held.

Feb. 23, 1999 Toward Community is approved for State Tax Exempt status

Aug. 15, 1999 Toward Community coordinates the Peace Lantern Float event at Doty Park in Neenah.

Aug. 10, 2000 The Executive Committee of Toward Community votes to be
intentionally welcoming of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons, issues and organizations.

January 21, 2001 10th annual Martin Luther King Celebration organized
by Toward Community.

November 15, 2001 Toward Community receives its 501 c 3 federal tax-exempt status

Oct. 8, 2002 Twenty-eight Toward Community members meet to brainstorm and begin the process of writing a new mission for the organization.

Nov. 20, 2002 Members adopt a new mission statement, which reads:
Toward Community: Unity in Diversity builds connections and community among groups and individuals in the Fox Valley through celebration, education and advocacy for the broad spectrum of human diversity.
Membership stands at 137 units (individuals, families or businesses paying dues of $10, $20 or $50)

February, 2003 Toward Community recognizes its genesis 10 years ago

Annual events:

• Martin Luther King event (every year since 1992) Peak attendance: 1000 in 1993 43 sponsors (2002)
• Celebrate Diversity picnic (every year since 1995) Peak attendance: 200 in 2002
• Foods of All Nations ethnic food festival (every year since 1998) Peak attendance: 800 in 2002

Other important activities of Toward Community, 1993 to 2003

• Monthly meetings, bi-monthly executive committee meetings.
• Over 70 diversity talks to schools, service clubs, non-profit organizations and business.
• Annual holiday parties in December.
• Protest of racist retreat held by the Rev. Pete Peters (Aug. 2000 and Aug. 2001).
• Campaign to remove the word "savages" from plaque in Menasha.
• Court appearances by members to support victims of hate crimes.
• Assistance to Leadership Fox Cities to plan diversity activities.
• Presentation of Unity In Diversity awards to individuals at King celebrations (1995 to 2006).
• Advocacy by various members for individuals of various cultures through personal contacts, e-mail messages and letters to the editor.

Toward Community chairpersons

• 1993-1994, 2002-2003 Roger Bertschausen
• 1995-1999 Scott Peeples
• 2000-2001 Kathy Fredericks
• 2004 Leea Glasheen & Tony Awofeso
• 2005 Kathy Flores
• 2006 Terry Dawson