Dear Westford Leader,

Sports Respect is the topic of two upcoming Peaceable Community forums. We invite you and members of your organization to attend and participate.

On May 15, Bob Bigelow will speak at the Blanchard Middle School. Bob is an NBA First Round Draft Choice and a nationally known speaker on the needs of children in youth sports. His mission is to put the youth back into youth sports. He is a consultant to the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association. The forum will be held from 7pm to 9pm in the Blanchard Middle School Auditorium and includes time for discussion of specific challenges facing Westford sports.

On June 5, George Mumford will speak also at the Blanchard Middle School. George is a noted sports psychologist and a Special Coach with the Chicago Bulls. He also works with the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston College Men’s Basketball. He is featured in the book Sacred Hoops by the Chicago Bulls Coach, Phil Jackson, and in the May edition of Oprah Winfrey’s "O" magazine. This forum starts at 7pm and includes small discussion groups on issues such as the role of winning, team building, violence prevention, and nutrition as it pertains to the young athlete.

Westford 2000 - A Peaceable Community is a group of citizens formed to support a community-wide conversation on ways that Westford residents can demonstrate more respect for people and the environment. In December 1999, the Special Town Meeting resolution encouraged Town boards, committees, staff and private organizations to create programs that are supportive, neighborly, and participatory in order to further enhance the level of civility, understanding and respect within Westford. Sports Respect is a key topic raised by community meetings held by our committee.

We believe you will find these forums informative for anyone interested in sports or in how we treat each other on or off the field and court. For more information, please contact Emily Welch at 978-692-5677 or see our web site.

Yours truly,
Westford 2000 - A Peaceble Community Action Team