Wow! I just received the hardback version of my book on the No Games Chicago campaign! What a thrill to hold it and flip through the pages. Order your copy now at www.tinyurl.com/Get-NGC-book and use promo code “AFLY03” to get 20% off PLUS free shipping. What a civic deal! After all, No Games saved every taxpaying adult in the city at least $1,000!
I teach “Civics 101” for the awesome training and leadership development organization i c stars. The most current class, Cycle 47, sent me a wonderful set of images expressing how the class (four sessions) impacted them. I was deeply touched. Thank you. If you would like a civics workshop, please contact me at tom@civiclab.us. You can see the workshops I offer via the POWER Institute.
“Chicagoland’s civic health is on life support.”
That was the grim assessment from the 2010 report “Chicago Civic Health Index.” The report was prepared by the McCormick Foundation and the Citizen’s Advocacy Center. “The 2010 Chicago Civic Health Index demonstrates the failure of the region to prepare its youngest citizens for their adult civic responsibilities, along with the effects of endemic political corruption and the widespread cynicism and disengagement it spawns.” Ouch.
Fast forward to 2019. How are we doing?
Not so well.
I gave this speech at the CivicLab’s 2018 Civic Harambee. I sum up everything I’ve learned about fighting for justice in civics and public life in America. I call for MorePublic! and announce my second book and launch our first membership drive for the CivicLab! Whew!
Tom Tresser at 2018 Civic Harambee
Tom Tresser gave these remarks at the CivicLab’s second Civic Harambee on August 25, 2018 at the Lutheran School of Theology. If you are watching this video or have found any of Tom’s work useful or if you have ever attended a CivicLab event or public forum, then we are asking you to become a MEMBER today!
I’ve started a series of articles on HuffingtonPost to review my own civic experience sine 1990. I got woke when the Far Right went after the National endowment for the Arts. America’s arts and culture organizations LOST the so-called Culture Wars. It’s been down hill ever since.
Part 1 recounts the story of the Powell Memo. Heard of it?
The CivicLab proudly announces the launch of a new series of training programs to help you organize, resist, engage and WIN for social justice!
Our first workshops are on basic subjects to prepare people who are new to public life. All attendees will get a copy of “Chicago Is Not Broke. Funding the City We Deserve.”
Session #1 – Wednesday, September 13 – 7-9pm – “Chicago 101” – What are the basics for preparing to organize and win in a city dominated by the Democratic Machine for 75 years? You will learn the about the political and geographic context for Chicago politics.
Session #2 – Wednesday, October 11 – 7-9pm – “Organizing 101” – Did you know Chicago is the home of modern community organizing? Learn the basic skills and mindsets of a community change maker. This will be a highly interactive session with a lot of small group work as you build a case and work on power analysis.
Session #3 – Wednesday, November 8 – 7-9pm – “Grassroots Campaigning” – Learn the basic steps toward putting together a principled grassroots campaign for change and justice. All attendees will receive the chapter “Organizing a Campaign” from Winning Elections in the 21st Century by Dick Simpson and Betty O’Shaughnessy.
These sessions are $40/person per session. You can attend all three for $100. We will have snacks but not dinner. All attendees will receive take-away materials with resources and links to more in-depth materials.The workshops will be at the Loyola Law School, 25 E. Pearson.
You must register via EventBrite -> https://power-institute-fall_2017.eventbrite.com. [or use the form below]
++ Our first full day workshop for running for local office will be on Saturday, October 14, from 10am to 4pm! Details here: https://campaign-training-fall-2017.eventbrite.com. ++
Participants at our first round of “101” sessions said…
o “I wish it could be more than two hours a session”
o “I was really inspired by the class and appreciate thinking about Chicago history and politics.”
o “I learned so much! Thank you!”
o “Very excited about the organization and class – learned a lot today!”
o “I loved the first session and am looking forward to learning more in the forthcoming seminars. I haven’t been able to stop talking about CivicLab with colleagues and friends.”
o “I wish the workshops were more often and closer together!”
o “More time! I would pay more :)”
Your trainers will be Jonathan Peck and Tom Tresser.
CLICK HERE to support The TIF Illumination Project
I’ve got an article in this collection, Art Against the Law called “The TIF Illumination Project and Civic Imagination.” We’re in excellent creative company!
The publication is part of a series from the Chicago Social Practice History Project from the School of the Art Institute.