[Libs-Or] Civics for Adults - Dec 1 Update! - and next workshop Dec 8.

Tue Dec 1 13:31:57 PST 2020

Hi all, Hope you are well. Happy Holiday Season. See you all next year! [if
not before, like on Dec 8!]

Donna

Civics for Adults Update, Dec 1, 2021

Next workshop - Dec 8. 6-7:30. - Misinformation, Fake News and Political
Propaganda. 

Now Open to All! Register -
<https://multcolib.org/events/misinformation-fake-news-and-political-propaga
nda> Misinformation, Fake News and Political Propaganda | Multnomah County
Library (multcolib.org)

Donna was interviewed on OPB's Think Out Loud recently!
<https://www.opb.org/article/2020/10/30/civics-educator-aims-to-enhance-know
ledge-and-engagement-in-political-process/>
https://www.opb.org/article/2020/10/30/civics-educator-aims-to-enhance-knowl
edge-and-engagement-in-political-process/ 

Flyer describing all workshops:
<https://cdn-cms.f-static.net/uploads/2516289/normal_5ef7d00a31df4.pdf>
https://cdn-cms.f-static.net/uploads/2516289/normal_5ef7d00a31df4.pdf 

Upcoming Workshops

*For updates on registration links, see
<http://www.civicthinker.info/schedule> www.civicthinker.info/schedule 

Misinformation, Fake News and Political Propaganda

 Are you overwhelmed with messages from politicians, news sources and other
media? Distinguish truth from fiction using real-world examples. Become your
own "factchecker"! Also, how to find accurate information. 

"Loved it...well-rounded, wide array of examples!"

Tuesday December 8, 6-7:30. Register -
<https://multcolib.org/events/misinformation-fake-news-and-political-propaga
nda> Misinformation, Fake News and Political Propaganda | Multnomah County
Library (multcolib.org)

Thursday January 28, 12-1:30 Register: TBA*

Beyond Voting: Elections and Campaign Financing

Voting as Constitutional right(?), Election Security, Voter Suppression,
Alternative Voting Systems, Redistricting, Electoral College, Campaign
Financing, Tracking Campaign $, Public Financing of Elections. 

"I consider myself a well-informed citizen but I learned a great deal of new
information"

Thursday Jan 13, 6:00-7:30 Register anytime if you live in Bandon Public
Library district; two weeks in advance if you don't:  541-347-3221 or
<mailto:bandonlibrary2018 at gmail.com> bandonlibrary2018 at gmail.com 

Tuesday January 19, 6:00-7:30 Register anytime if you live in
Mult/Wash/Clackamas Cnty; two weeks in advance if you don't:
<https://multcolib.org/events/beyond-voting-elections-and-campaign-financing
> Beyond Voting: Elections and Campaign Financing | Multnomah County Library
(multcolib.org)

The Constitution: Fulfilling Democracy's Promise?

 We'll look at the Constitution's creation, trace major changes to its
interpretation, and then examine some structural limitations. We'll puncture
some myths and develop a perspective that helps evaluate its meaning more
thoughtfully in light of contemporary concerns.  

"Good level of history and contemporary political ideas"

Wednesday Feb 3. 6-7:30. Register anytime for League of Women Voters -
Umpqua Valley people. For non-LWVUV folks, TBA.*

Wednesday May 12. 6-7:30. Register anytime if you live in Bandon Public
Library district; two weeks in advance if you don't:  541-347-3221 or
<mailto:bandonlibrary2018 at gmail.com> bandonlibrary2018 at gmail.com

Citizen Activism 101 - Making Change Happen

Learn about types of advocacy and strategies for change. Brief historical
perspective; Examples of successful advocacy-local-national; Choosing your
battles; Who makes the rules? Getting heard; tools for change; "Tracking"
state and federal legislation.  

"Excellent. Thanks!"

Wednesday March 3. 6-7:30. Register anytime if you live in Bandon Public
Library district; two weeks in advance if you don't:  541-347-3221 or
<mailto:bandonlibrary2018 at gmail.com> bandonlibrary2018 at gmail.com

Want to see more? Ask your local library or community group to sponsor a
workshop! Thanks. 

Sampling of Facebook posts

Here is the audio of the case heard today/yesterday [depending on when I
send this out!] about whether undocumented people should be included in the
Census count. Note that the Constitution says the Census should count all
persons, not all citizens.

<https://www.c-span.org/video/?477428-1/trump-v-york-oral-argument&fbclid=Iw
AR1iZqHjpkjdFEgE5BvKv11bcHY3oeKd8BV3-GxI2C3dE0evVWkEUJ6FNk4> [Trump v. New
York] Oral Argument | C-SPAN.org (c-span.org)

**

Big, structural change may be coming to the government of Portland.

Congratulations to those selected to be on the City of Portland's Charter
Review Commission, which will recommend changes to the structure of
Portland's government. Looks like a high-powered group!!

<https://www.portland.gov/omf/charter-review-commission/about/charter-commis
sioners?fbclid=IwAR08Zlf9oStKgrPkoFBzxVyVLr0ByE_gkiZ9eiYkS_XcYFgSIhAEmKNe76E
> Meet Your Charter Commissioners | Portland.gov

First use of Ranked-Choice Voting in Oregon. In Benton County. Discussion on
Think Out Loud.

<https://www.opb.org/article/2020/11/12/ranked-choice-voting-gets-first-use-
in-benton-county/?fbclid=IwAR0ygjTj2-iNEunq5njK7LqUdxiIY8v2w4q9R1Tdtfg0XDihF
TgU3bBky2s> Ranked choice voting gets first use in Benton County - OPB

I wonder how many are aware that if we had Ranked-Choice Voting in Portland,
the Mayoral race in Portland would have likely come out quite differently.

<https://www.sightline.org/2020/11/19/portland-might-have-elected-a-new-mayo
r-with-ranked-choice-voting/?fbclid=IwAR0ywU8XbuQ6PY63QLs89q4ulb109AM-jCDGXM
uVcrlaxc0NHOPGLjEmvJQ> Portland Might Have Elected A New Mayor With Ranked
Choice Voting - Sightline Institute

**

When the Constitution was enacted each House member represented
approximately 6,000 people. THAT was the Framers' idea of "representation".
On average, now, a Congressional Representative represents 750,000 people.
Something to consider, eh?

The Framers did anticipate growth - up to a point. Madison and others wanted
to cap the number of people a House member represented to 30-50,000
[different proposals]. This tells us a lot about what they felt
representation meant and about how far into the future their imaginations
could go.

The U. S. actually has one of the, if the not the biggest, ratios of
representatives to population of any developed country. Most countries have
far fewer people per member of the national governing body.

I talk about this in the Constitution workshop. I think the topic of
representation is fascinating - and deeply significant for our democracy.

**

More at  <https://www.facebook.com/Civics-for-Adults-1490728887922036>
https://www.facebook.com/Civics-for-Adults-1490728887922036 

Donna

Donna L Cohen, MLIS, MEd

Portland, Oregon

503-737-1425

dcohen at hevanet.com <mailto:dcohen at hevanet.com> 

Civics for Adults - and Others - Workshops: To Enhance Civic Knowledge and
Inspire Political Engagement

Webpage www.civicthinker.info <http://www.civicthinker.info>  

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Civics-for-Adults-1490728887922036/

"My philosophy is very simple. When you see something that is not fair, not
right, not just - stand up, say something, speak up!" Rep. John Lewis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6lzPpqc2WY 

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