diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 23c61f2ed..1f0d3440c 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -67,6 +67,13 @@ For Docker-based development (recommended):
 3. Visit <http://localhost:3000/> to see the AWBW portal page
 4. Log in as a sample user with the default [credentials](#credentials)
 
+### Database encoding
+Different schema encodings on Mac vs Linux (utf8mb4 vs utf8) was causing some merge challenges in schema.rb. 
+To ensure consistent encoding across environments, we have set MySQL database to use `utf8mb4` encoding by default by
+overriding DATABASE_URL in `docker-compose.yml`.
+
+```
+
 ## Dev seeds
 
 - Running mise should have run `rake db:seed`
diff --git a/config/database.yml b/config/database.yml
index 8329cfdaa..7461316cf 100644
--- a/config/database.yml
+++ b/config/database.yml
@@ -1,19 +1,20 @@
-base: &base
-  encoding: utf8
-  url: <%= ENV.fetch("DATABASE_URL", "trilogy://root@localhost") %>
+default: &default
+  adapter: trilogy
+  encoding: utf8mb4           # <-- forces UTF-8 everywhere
+  collation: utf8mb4_unicode_ci  # <-- portable across MySQL 5.7/8.0 and MariaDB
+  pool: <%= ENV.fetch("RAILS_MAX_THREADS", 5) %>
+  user: root
+  password:
+  host: 127.0.0.1
+  variables:
+    # Make sure the session uses utf8mb4 too:
+    collation_connection: utf8mb4_unicode_ci
+    sql_mode: STRICT_ALL_TABLES
 
 development:
-  <<: *base
-  pool: 5
+  <<: *default
   database: awbw_development
 
-# Warning: The database defined as "test" will be erased and
-# re-generated from your development database when you run "rake".
-# Do not set this db to the same as development or production.
 test:
-  <<: *base
-  pool: 5
+  <<: *default
   database: awbw_test
-
-production:
-  <<: *base
diff --git a/db/migrate/20251127143038_fix_charset_and_collation.rb b/db/migrate/20251127143038_fix_charset_and_collation.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6856b54d3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/db/migrate/20251127143038_fix_charset_and_collation.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+class FixCharsetAndCollation < ActiveRecord::Migration[8.1]
+  DB = ActiveRecord::Base.connection_db_config.database
+  TARGET = "utf8mb4"
+  COLL = "utf8mb4_unicode_ci"
+
+  def up
+    execute "ALTER DATABASE `#{DB}` CHARACTER SET #{TARGET} COLLATE #{COLL}"
+    tables.each do |t|
+      execute "ALTER TABLE `#{t}` CONVERT TO CHARACTER SET #{TARGET} COLLATE #{COLL}"
+    end
+  end
+
+  def down
+    # no-op (irreversible)
+  end
+
+  private
+
+  def tables
+    ActiveRecord::Base.connection.tables - ["schema_migrations", "ar_internal_metadata"]
+  end
+end
diff --git a/db/schema.rb b/db/schema.rb
index c48dbf708..67b058e2c 100644
--- a/db/schema.rb
+++ b/db/schema.rb
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@
 #
 # It's strongly recommended that you check this file into your version control system.
 
-ActiveRecord::Schema[8.1].define(version: 2025_11_25_131123) do
-  create_table "active_storage_attachments", charset: "utf8mb3", force: :cascade do |t|
+ActiveRecord::Schema[8.1].define(version: 2025_11_27_143038) do
+  create_table "active_storage_attachments", charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.bigint "blob_id", null: false
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.string "name", null: false
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
     t.index ["record_type", "record_id", "name", "blob_id"], name: "index_active_storage_attachments_uniqueness", unique: true
   end
 
-  create_table "active_storage_blobs", charset: "utf8mb3", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "active_storage_blobs", charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.string "aws_key"
     t.bigint "byte_size", null: false
     t.string "checksum"
@@ -29,18 +29,18 @@
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.string "filename", null: false
     t.string "key", null: false
-    t.text "metadata"
+    t.text "metadata", size: :medium
     t.string "service_name", null: false
     t.index ["key"], name: "index_active_storage_blobs_on_key", unique: true
   end
 
-  create_table "active_storage_variant_records", charset: "utf8mb3", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "active_storage_variant_records", charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.bigint "blob_id", null: false
     t.string "variation_digest", null: false
     t.index ["blob_id", "variation_digest"], name: "index_active_storage_variant_records_uniqueness", unique: true
   end
 
-  create_table "addresses", charset: "utf8mb3", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "addresses", charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.string "address_type"
     t.bigint "addressable_id"
     t.string "addressable_type"
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@
     t.index ["addressable_type", "addressable_id"], name: "index_addresses_on_addressable"
   end
 
-  create_table "admins", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "admins", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil
     t.datetime "current_sign_in_at", precision: nil
     t.string "current_sign_in_ip"
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@
     t.index ["reset_password_token"], name: "index_admins_on_reset_password_token", unique: true
   end
 
-  create_table "age_ranges", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "age_ranges", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.string "name"
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
@@ -89,14 +89,14 @@
     t.index ["windows_type_id"], name: "index_age_ranges_on_windows_type_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "answer_options", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "answer_options", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.string "name"
     t.integer "order"
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
   end
 
-  create_table "attachments", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "attachments", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.string "file_content_type"
     t.string "file_file_name"
@@ -107,8 +107,8 @@
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
   end
 
-  create_table "banners", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
-    t.text "content"
+  create_table "banners", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+    t.text "content", size: :medium
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.integer "created_by_id"
     t.boolean "show"
@@ -118,15 +118,15 @@
     t.index ["updated_by_id"], name: "index_banners_on_updated_by_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "bookmark_annotations", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
-    t.text "annotation", size: :medium
+  create_table "bookmark_annotations", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+    t.text "annotation", size: :long
     t.integer "bookmark_id"
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.index ["bookmark_id"], name: "index_bookmark_annotations_on_bookmark_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "bookmarks", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "bookmarks", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.integer "bookmarkable_id"
     t.string "bookmarkable_type"
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@
     t.index ["user_id"], name: "index_bookmarks_on_user_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "categories", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "categories", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.integer "legacy_id"
     t.integer "metadatum_id"
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@
     t.index ["metadatum_id"], name: "index_categories_on_metadatum_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "categorizable_items", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "categorizable_items", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.integer "categorizable_id"
     t.string "categorizable_type"
     t.integer "category_id"
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@
     t.index ["category_id"], name: "index_categorizable_items_on_category_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "ckeditor_assets", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "ckeditor_assets", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.string "actual_url"
     t.integer "assetable_id"
     t.string "assetable_type", limit: 30
@@ -173,9 +173,9 @@
     t.index ["assetable_type", "type", "assetable_id"], name: "idx_ckeditor_assetable_type"
   end
 
-  create_table "community_news", charset: "utf8mb3", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "community_news", charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.integer "author_id", null: false
-    t.text "body"
+    t.text "body", size: :medium
     t.datetime "created_at", null: false
     t.integer "created_by_id", null: false
     t.boolean "featured"
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@
     t.index ["windows_type_id"], name: "index_community_news_on_windows_type_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "event_registrations", charset: "utf8mb3", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "event_registrations", charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", null: false
     t.bigint "event_id"
     t.integer "registrant_id"
@@ -204,10 +204,10 @@
     t.index ["registrant_id"], name: "index_event_registrations_on_registrant_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "events", charset: "utf8mb3", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "events", charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", null: false
     t.integer "created_by_id"
-    t.text "description"
+    t.text "description", size: :medium
     t.datetime "end_date", precision: nil
     t.boolean "featured", default: false, null: false
     t.boolean "publicly_visible", default: false, null: false
@@ -218,8 +218,8 @@
     t.index ["created_by_id"], name: "index_events_on_created_by_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "facilitators", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb3", force: :cascade do |t|
-    t.text "bio"
+  create_table "facilitators", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+    t.text "bio", size: :medium
     t.string "city"
     t.string "country"
     t.datetime "created_at", null: false
@@ -264,8 +264,8 @@
     t.index ["updated_by_id"], name: "index_facilitators_on_updated_by_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "faqs", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
-    t.text "answer", size: :medium
+  create_table "faqs", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+    t.text "answer", size: :long
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.boolean "inactive"
     t.integer "ordering"
@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
   end
 
-  create_table "footers", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "footers", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.string "adult_program"
     t.string "children_program"
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
@@ -282,9 +282,9 @@
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
   end
 
-  create_table "form_builders", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "form_builders", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
-    t.text "description", size: :medium
+    t.text "description", size: :long
     t.string "name"
     t.integer "owner_type"
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@
     t.index ["windows_type_id"], name: "index_form_builders_on_windows_type_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "form_field_answer_options", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "form_field_answer_options", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.integer "answer_option_id"
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.integer "form_field_id"
@@ -301,7 +301,7 @@
     t.index ["form_field_id"], name: "index_form_field_answer_options_on_form_field_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "form_fields", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "form_fields", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.integer "answer_datatype"
     t.integer "answer_type"
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
@@ -316,7 +316,7 @@
     t.index ["form_id"], name: "index_form_fields_on_form_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "forms", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "forms", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.integer "form_builder_id"
     t.integer "owner_id"
@@ -325,7 +325,7 @@
     t.index ["form_builder_id"], name: "index_forms_on_form_builder_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "images", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "images", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.string "file_content_type"
     t.string "file_file_name"
@@ -340,7 +340,7 @@
     t.index ["type"], name: "index_images_on_type"
   end
 
-  create_table "locations", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "locations", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.string "city"
     t.string "country"
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
@@ -348,7 +348,7 @@
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
   end
 
-  create_table "media_files", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "media_files", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.string "file_content_type"
     t.string "file_file_name"
     t.integer "file_file_size"
@@ -357,7 +357,7 @@
     t.integer "workshop_log_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "metadata", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "metadata", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.string "legacy_id"
     t.string "name"
@@ -365,17 +365,17 @@
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
   end
 
-  create_table "monthly_reports", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "monthly_reports", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.string "best_call_time"
     t.boolean "call_requested"
-    t.text "comments", size: :medium
+    t.text "comments", size: :long
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
-    t.text "goals", size: :medium
-    t.text "goals_reached", size: :medium
+    t.text "goals", size: :long
+    t.text "goals_reached", size: :long
     t.boolean "mail_evaluations"
     t.string "month"
-    t.text "most_challenging", size: :medium
-    t.text "most_effective", size: :medium
+    t.text "most_challenging", size: :long
+    t.text "most_effective", size: :long
     t.string "name"
     t.string "num_new_participants"
     t.string "num_ongoing_participants"
@@ -388,7 +388,7 @@
     t.index ["project_user_id"], name: "index_monthly_reports_on_project_user_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "notifications", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "notifications", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.integer "noticeable_id"
     t.string "noticeable_type"
@@ -396,26 +396,26 @@
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
   end
 
-  create_table "permissions", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "permissions", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.integer "legacy_id"
     t.string "security_cat"
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
   end
 
-  create_table "project_obligations", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "project_obligations", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.string "name"
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
   end
 
-  create_table "project_statuses", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "project_statuses", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.string "name"
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
   end
 
-  create_table "project_users", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "project_users", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.integer "agency_id"
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.string "filemaker_code"
@@ -430,11 +430,11 @@
     t.index ["user_id"], name: "index_project_users_on_user_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "projects", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "projects", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.string "agency_type"
     t.string "agency_type_other"
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
-    t.text "description", size: :medium
+    t.text "description", size: :long
     t.date "end_date"
     t.string "filemaker_code"
     t.boolean "inactive", default: false
@@ -444,7 +444,7 @@
     t.integer "location_id"
     t.string "mission_vision_values"
     t.string "name"
-    t.text "notes", size: :medium
+    t.text "notes", size: :long
     t.integer "project_status_id"
     t.date "start_date"
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
@@ -455,7 +455,7 @@
     t.index ["windows_type_id"], name: "index_projects_on_windows_type_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "quotable_item_quotes", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "quotable_item_quotes", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.integer "legacy_id"
     t.integer "quotable_id"
@@ -465,22 +465,22 @@
     t.index ["quote_id"], name: "index_quotable_item_quotes_on_quote_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "quotes", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "quotes", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.string "age"
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.string "gender", limit: 1
     t.boolean "inactive", default: true
     t.boolean "legacy", default: false
     t.integer "legacy_id"
-    t.text "quote", size: :medium
+    t.text "quote", size: :long
     t.string "speaker_name"
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.integer "workshop_id"
     t.index ["workshop_id"], name: "index_quotes_on_workshop_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "report_form_field_answers", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
-    t.text "answer", size: :medium
+  create_table "report_form_field_answers", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+    t.text "answer", size: :long
     t.integer "answer_option_id"
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil
     t.integer "form_field_id"
@@ -491,7 +491,7 @@
     t.index ["report_id"], name: "index_report_form_field_answers_on_report_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "reports", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "reports", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.integer "adults_first_time", default: 0
     t.integer "adults_ongoing", default: 0
     t.integer "children_first_time", default: 0
@@ -521,7 +521,7 @@
     t.index ["windows_type_id"], name: "index_reports_on_windows_type_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "resources", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "resources", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.string "agency"
     t.string "author"
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
@@ -534,7 +534,7 @@
     t.integer "legacy_id"
     t.boolean "male", default: false
     t.integer "ordering"
-    t.text "text", size: :medium
+    t.text "text", size: :long
     t.string "title"
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.string "url"
@@ -546,7 +546,7 @@
     t.index ["workshop_id"], name: "index_resources_on_workshop_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "sectorable_items", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "sectorable_items", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.boolean "inactive", default: true
     t.boolean "is_leader", default: false, null: false
@@ -558,15 +558,15 @@
     t.index ["sectorable_type", "sectorable_id"], name: "index_sectorable_items_on_sectorable_type_and_sectorable_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "sectors", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "sectors", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.string "name"
     t.boolean "published", default: false
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
   end
 
-  create_table "stories", charset: "utf8mb3", force: :cascade do |t|
-    t.text "body"
+  create_table "stories", charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+    t.text "body", size: :medium
     t.datetime "created_at", null: false
     t.integer "created_by_id", null: false
     t.string "external_workshop_title"
@@ -593,8 +593,8 @@
     t.index ["workshop_id"], name: "index_stories_on_workshop_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "story_ideas", charset: "utf8mb3", force: :cascade do |t|
-    t.text "body"
+  create_table "story_ideas", charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+    t.text "body", size: :medium
     t.datetime "created_at", null: false
     t.integer "created_by_id", null: false
     t.string "external_workshop_title"
@@ -614,17 +614,17 @@
     t.index ["workshop_id"], name: "index_story_ideas_on_workshop_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "user_form_form_fields", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "user_form_form_fields", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.integer "form_field_id"
-    t.text "text", size: :medium
+    t.text "text", size: :long
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.integer "user_form_id"
     t.index ["form_field_id"], name: "index_user_form_form_fields_on_form_field_id"
     t.index ["user_form_id"], name: "index_user_form_form_fields_on_user_form_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "user_forms", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "user_forms", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.integer "form_id"
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
@@ -633,7 +633,7 @@
     t.index ["user_id"], name: "index_user_forms_on_user_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "user_permissions", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "user_permissions", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.integer "permission_id"
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
@@ -642,7 +642,7 @@
     t.index ["user_id"], name: "index_user_permissions_on_user_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "users", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "users", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.string "address"
     t.string "address2"
     t.integer "agency_id"
@@ -654,7 +654,7 @@
     t.date "birthday"
     t.string "city"
     t.string "city2"
-    t.text "comment", size: :medium
+    t.text "comment", size: :long
     t.boolean "confirmed", default: true
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil
     t.datetime "current_sign_in_at", precision: nil
@@ -669,7 +669,7 @@
     t.string "last_sign_in_ip"
     t.boolean "legacy", default: false
     t.integer "legacy_id"
-    t.text "notes", size: :medium
+    t.text "notes", size: :long
     t.string "phone"
     t.string "phone2"
     t.string "phone3"
@@ -691,7 +691,7 @@
     t.index ["reset_password_token"], name: "index_users_on_reset_password_token", unique: true
   end
 
-  create_table "windows_types", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "windows_types", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.integer "legacy_id"
     t.string "name"
@@ -699,7 +699,7 @@
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
   end
 
-  create_table "workshop_age_ranges", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "workshop_age_ranges", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.integer "age_range_id"
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
@@ -708,37 +708,37 @@
     t.index ["workshop_id"], name: "index_workshop_age_ranges_on_workshop_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "workshop_ideas", charset: "utf8mb3", force: :cascade do |t|
-    t.text "age_range"
-    t.text "age_range_spanish"
-    t.text "closing"
-    t.text "closing_spanish"
+  create_table "workshop_ideas", charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+    t.text "age_range", size: :medium
+    t.text "age_range_spanish", size: :medium
+    t.text "closing", size: :medium
+    t.text "closing_spanish", size: :medium
     t.datetime "created_at", null: false
     t.integer "created_by_id", null: false
-    t.text "creation"
-    t.text "creation_spanish"
-    t.text "demonstration"
-    t.text "demonstration_spanish"
-    t.text "description"
-    t.text "description_spanish"
-    t.text "instructions"
-    t.text "instructions_spanish"
-    t.text "introduction"
-    t.text "introduction_spanish"
-    t.text "materials"
-    t.text "materials_spanish"
-    t.text "misc_instructions_spanish"
-    t.text "notes"
-    t.text "notes_spanish"
-    t.text "objective"
-    t.text "objective_spanish"
-    t.text "opening_circle"
-    t.text "opening_circle_spanish"
-    t.text "optional_materials"
-    t.text "optional_materials_spanish"
-    t.text "setup"
-    t.text "setup_spanish"
-    t.text "staff_notes"
+    t.text "creation", size: :medium
+    t.text "creation_spanish", size: :medium
+    t.text "demonstration", size: :medium
+    t.text "demonstration_spanish", size: :medium
+    t.text "description", size: :medium
+    t.text "description_spanish", size: :medium
+    t.text "instructions", size: :medium
+    t.text "instructions_spanish", size: :medium
+    t.text "introduction", size: :medium
+    t.text "introduction_spanish", size: :medium
+    t.text "materials", size: :medium
+    t.text "materials_spanish", size: :medium
+    t.text "misc_instructions_spanish", size: :medium
+    t.text "notes", size: :medium
+    t.text "notes_spanish", size: :medium
+    t.text "objective", size: :medium
+    t.text "objective_spanish", size: :medium
+    t.text "opening_circle", size: :medium
+    t.text "opening_circle_spanish", size: :medium
+    t.text "optional_materials", size: :medium
+    t.text "optional_materials_spanish", size: :medium
+    t.text "setup", size: :medium
+    t.text "setup_spanish", size: :medium
+    t.text "staff_notes", size: :medium
     t.integer "time_closing"
     t.integer "time_creation"
     t.integer "time_demonstration"
@@ -748,40 +748,40 @@
     t.integer "time_opening"
     t.integer "time_opening_circle"
     t.integer "time_warm_up"
-    t.text "timeframe"
-    t.text "timeframe_spanish"
-    t.text "tips"
-    t.text "tips_spanish"
+    t.text "timeframe", size: :medium
+    t.text "timeframe_spanish", size: :medium
+    t.text "tips", size: :medium
+    t.text "tips_spanish", size: :medium
     t.string "title"
     t.datetime "updated_at", null: false
     t.integer "updated_by_id", null: false
-    t.text "visualization"
-    t.text "visualization_spanish"
-    t.text "warm_up"
-    t.text "warm_up_spanish"
+    t.text "visualization", size: :medium
+    t.text "visualization_spanish", size: :medium
+    t.text "warm_up", size: :medium
+    t.text "warm_up_spanish", size: :medium
     t.integer "windows_type_id", null: false
     t.index ["created_by_id"], name: "index_workshop_ideas_on_created_by_id"
     t.index ["updated_by_id"], name: "index_workshop_ideas_on_updated_by_id"
     t.index ["windows_type_id"], name: "index_workshop_ideas_on_windows_type_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "workshop_logs", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
-    t.text "challenges", size: :medium
-    t.text "comments", size: :medium
+  create_table "workshop_logs", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+    t.text "challenges", size: :long
+    t.text "comments", size: :long
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.date "date"
-    t.text "differences", size: :medium
+    t.text "differences", size: :long
     t.boolean "is_embodied_art_workshop", default: false
     t.boolean "lead_similar"
     t.integer "num_participants_first_time", default: 0
     t.integer "num_participants_on_going", default: 0
     t.integer "project_id"
-    t.text "questions", size: :medium
+    t.text "questions", size: :long
     t.integer "rating", default: 0
-    t.text "reaction", size: :medium
-    t.text "similarities", size: :medium
-    t.text "successes", size: :medium
-    t.text "suggestions", size: :medium
+    t.text "reaction", size: :long
+    t.text "similarities", size: :long
+    t.text "successes", size: :long
+    t.text "suggestions", size: :long
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.integer "user_id"
     t.integer "workshop_id"
@@ -790,7 +790,7 @@
     t.index ["workshop_id"], name: "index_workshop_logs_on_workshop_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "workshop_resources", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "workshop_resources", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.integer "resource_id"
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
@@ -799,7 +799,7 @@
     t.index ["workshop_id"], name: "index_workshop_resources_on_workshop_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "workshop_series_memberships", charset: "utf8mb3", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "workshop_series_memberships", charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", null: false
     t.string "series_description"
     t.string "series_description_spanish"
@@ -812,8 +812,8 @@
     t.index ["workshop_parent_id", "workshop_child_id"], name: "index_workshop_series_memberships_on_parent_and_child", unique: true
   end
 
-  create_table "workshop_variations", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
-    t.text "code", size: :medium
+  create_table "workshop_variations", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+    t.text "code", size: :long
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.integer "created_by_id"
     t.boolean "inactive", default: true
@@ -828,21 +828,21 @@
     t.index ["workshop_id"], name: "index_workshop_variations_on_workshop_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "workshops", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
-    t.text "age_range", size: :medium
-    t.text "age_range_spanish", size: :medium
+  create_table "workshops", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+    t.text "age_range", size: :long
+    t.text "age_range_spanish", size: :long
     t.string "author_location"
-    t.text "closing", size: :medium
-    t.text "closing_spanish", size: :medium
-    t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
-    t.text "creation", size: :medium
-    t.text "creation_spanish", size: :medium
-    t.text "demonstration", size: :medium
-    t.text "demonstration_spanish", size: :medium
-    t.text "description", size: :medium
-    t.text "description_spanish", size: :medium
-    t.text "extra_field"
-    t.text "extra_field_spanish"
+    t.text "closing", size: :long
+    t.text "closing_spanish", size: :long
+    t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
+    t.text "creation", size: :long
+    t.text "creation_spanish", size: :long
+    t.text "demonstration", size: :long
+    t.text "demonstration_spanish", size: :long
+    t.text "description", size: :long
+    t.text "description_spanish", size: :long
+    t.text "extra_field", size: :medium
+    t.text "extra_field_spanish", size: :medium
     t.boolean "featured", default: false
     t.string "filemaker_code"
     t.string "full_name"
@@ -851,37 +851,37 @@
     t.integer "header_file_size"
     t.datetime "header_updated_at", precision: nil
     t.boolean "inactive", default: true
-    t.text "instructions", size: :medium
-    t.text "instructions_spanish", size: :medium
-    t.text "introduction", size: :medium
-    t.text "introduction_spanish", size: :medium
+    t.text "instructions", size: :long
+    t.text "instructions_spanish", size: :long
+    t.text "introduction", size: :long
+    t.text "introduction_spanish", size: :long
     t.integer "led_count", default: 0
     t.boolean "legacy", default: false
     t.integer "legacy_id"
-    t.text "materials", size: :medium
-    t.text "materials_spanish", size: :medium
+    t.text "materials", size: :long
+    t.text "materials_spanish", size: :long
     t.string "misc1"
-    t.text "misc1_spanish", size: :medium
+    t.text "misc1_spanish", size: :long
     t.string "misc2"
-    t.text "misc2_spanish", size: :medium
-    t.text "misc_instructions", size: :medium
-    t.text "misc_instructions_spanish", size: :medium
+    t.text "misc2_spanish", size: :long
+    t.text "misc_instructions", size: :long
+    t.text "misc_instructions_spanish", size: :long
     t.integer "month"
-    t.text "notes", size: :medium
-    t.text "notes_spanish", size: :medium
-    t.text "objective", size: :medium
-    t.text "objective_spanish", size: :medium
-    t.text "opening_circle", size: :medium
-    t.text "opening_circle_spanish", size: :medium
-    t.text "optional_materials", size: :medium
-    t.text "optional_materials_spanish", size: :medium
+    t.text "notes", size: :long
+    t.text "notes_spanish", size: :long
+    t.text "objective", size: :long
+    t.text "objective_spanish", size: :long
+    t.text "opening_circle", size: :long
+    t.text "opening_circle_spanish", size: :long
+    t.text "optional_materials", size: :long
+    t.text "optional_materials_spanish", size: :long
     t.string "photo_caption"
-    t.text "project", size: :medium
-    t.text "project_spanish", size: :medium
+    t.text "project", size: :long
+    t.text "project_spanish", size: :long
     t.string "pub_issue"
     t.boolean "searchable", default: false
-    t.text "setup", size: :medium
-    t.text "setup_spanish", size: :medium
+    t.text "setup", size: :long
+    t.text "setup_spanish", size: :long
     t.string "thumbnail_content_type"
     t.string "thumbnail_file_name"
     t.integer "thumbnail_file_size"
@@ -893,18 +893,18 @@
     t.integer "time_opening"
     t.integer "time_opening_circle"
     t.integer "time_warm_up"
-    t.text "timeframe", size: :medium
-    t.text "timeframe_spanish", size: :medium
-    t.text "timestamps", size: :medium
-    t.text "tips", size: :medium
-    t.text "tips_spanish", size: :medium
+    t.text "timeframe", size: :long
+    t.text "timeframe_spanish", size: :long
+    t.text "timestamps", size: :long
+    t.text "tips", size: :long
+    t.text "tips_spanish", size: :long
     t.string "title"
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.integer "user_id"
-    t.text "visualization", size: :medium
-    t.text "visualization_spanish", size: :medium
-    t.text "warm_up", size: :medium
-    t.text "warm_up_spanish", size: :medium
+    t.text "visualization", size: :long
+    t.text "visualization_spanish", size: :long
+    t.text "warm_up", size: :long
+    t.text "warm_up_spanish", size: :long
     t.integer "windows_type_id"
     t.bigint "workshop_idea_id"
     t.integer "year"
@@ -920,7 +920,6 @@
     t.index ["year", "month"], name: "index_workshops_on_year_and_month"
   end
 
-  add_foreign_key "active_storage_attachments", "active_storage_blobs", column: "blob_id"
   add_foreign_key "active_storage_variant_records", "active_storage_blobs", column: "blob_id"
   add_foreign_key "age_ranges", "windows_types"
   add_foreign_key "banners", "users", column: "created_by_id"
diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index dae8aad09..507654aa1 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ services:
       - 3306
     volumes:
       - mysql-data:/var/lib/mysql
+      - ./docker/mysql/charset.cnf:/etc/mysql/conf.d/charset.cnf:ro
       - ./db/init:/docker-entrypoint-initdb.d
     environment:
       MYSQL_ALLOW_EMPTY_PASSWORD: 1
@@ -31,34 +32,20 @@ services:
       # If you prefer traditional keys, set DB_* in .env and configure database.yml accordingly.
       RAILS_ENV: development
       RAILS_LOG_TO_STDOUT: "true"
-      VITE_RUBY_HOST: vite
-      DATABASE_URL: trilogy://root@database:3306/
+      DATABASE_URL: trilogy://root@database:3306/?encoding=utf8mb4&collation=utf8mb4_unicode_ci&variables[collation_connection]=utf8mb4_unicode_ci
+
     ports:
       - 3000:3000
     volumes:
       - ./:/app:cached
       - /app/tmp
+    working_dir: /app
 
     command: bash -lc "bin/rails s -b 0.0.0.0 -p 3000"
     tty: true
     stdin_open: true
     restart: unless-stopped
 
-  vite:
-    build:
-      context: .
-      dockerfile: Dockerfile.dev
-    env_file: .env
-    environment:
-      RAILS_ENV: development
-      RAILS_LOG_TO_STDOUT: "true"
-      VITE_RUBY_HOST: 0.0.0.0
-    volumes:
-      - ./:/app:cached
-      - /app/tmp
-    command: bin/vite dev
-    ports:
-      - 3036:3036
 
   prod:
     profiles:
diff --git a/docker/mysql/charset.cnf b/docker/mysql/charset.cnf
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..727b70091
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docker/mysql/charset.cnf
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+[mysqld]
+character-set-server = utf8mb4
+collation-server     = utf8mb4_unicode_ci
\ No newline at end of file