Community engagement is a term that has been used and abused a lot in the not-for-profit world. These days, it seems like everyone is practicing some sort of “community engagement.”  So what does it mean exactly? One definition is “…the process of building meaningful, ongoing relationships between an organization and members of a community.” Panelists will discuss their experiences with the many manifestations of Squeaky Wheel’s engagement with the community, starting with its founding days, up to the present, and into the future.  Discussion will focus on asking and answering questions like what does community engagement look like in the context of Squeaky Wheel, and what constitutes success.? What sets Squeaky Wheel apart from other organizations? What can we learn from Squeaky Wheel’s community engagement experiences – successes and failures alike?

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PANELISTS: 
Dorothea Braemer (moderator)
Karima Amin
Cheryl Jackson
Kevin Kline
Julie Zando

This multi-media conference celebrates Squeaky Wheel’s former and current programs, artists, scholars, and community members. The public is invited to participate in a series of free events at Burchfield Penney Art Center exploring media art and its makers in Western New York.