[Libs-Or] Civics workshop Dec 3 - Activism 101, and more...

Sun Nov 21 14:59:53 PST 2021

Citizen Activism 101-Making Change Happen

December 3. 6:30-8:00. Virtual. Free. Sponsor: Tigard Public Library. 

Register:  <https://wccls.bibliocommons.com/events/618f2617ab19ce36000ecac2>
https://wccls.bibliocommons.com/events/618f2617ab19ce36000ecac2

Also:

January 27, 10:00-11:30. Sponsor: Wesley U. [affiliated with Wesley Homes
(WA)]. Registration: TBA. [Note: legislative section will be geared to
Washington state]

The Constitution: Fulfilling Democracy's Promise? - Democracy, the
Constitution and Representation in Congress.

January 7. 6:30-8:00 Sponsor: Tigard Public Library. Registration link in
December will be at:  <https://www.civicthinker.info/schedule>
https://www.civicthinker.info/schedule

Misinformation, Fake News and Political Propaganda

January 20.6:30-8:00. Sponsor: Tualatin Public Library. Registration TBA

Civics for Adults Pre-Conference at the Public Library Association
Conference, spring 2022. "Fostering a Stronger and More Inclusive Democracy
Through Library Programming". 

Selected Civics for Adults Facebook posts:

Should Oregon have one nonpartisan "open primary" election for state/federal
offices? Some folks think so and they are having a webinar 11/17/2021
[5:30pm] to discuss - in preparation for an initiative petition effort.

California and Washington have "top two" nonpartisan primaries. Alaska is
now going to "top four". 

<https://oregonopenprimaries.org/?fbclid=IwAR2r0X8bcV0soFPKy66N7xdiNEX9P7e2Q
ZEQNWTDKQgwq6o4H3a91YPwrPY> https://oregonopenprimaries.org/

**

If you are not aware of the federal poverty guidelines, you might be
startled:

<https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines/pr
ior-hhs-poverty-guidelines-federal-register-references/2021-poverty-guidelin
es>
https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines/pri
or-hhs-poverty-guidelines-federal-register-references/2021-poverty-guideline
s

BTW, the annual earnings for a full-time minimum-wage worker is $15,080 at
the current federal minimum wage of $7.25. In Oregon, it would be $26,520,
currently - roughly 200% of the federal poverty level and about 30% of
median family income for the metropolitan area.

**

In addition to regular legislative sessions each year, the Oregon
legislature sometimes meets in "special session", as it did earlier this
fall to deal with issues of rent payments / evictions. Leg committees also
hold hearings at other times [called "legislative days"] in order to gather
information in preparation for an upcoming session. Some are being held this
week. You'll see that the House on Nov 15th and the Senate on Nov 17th will
hold sessions devoted to housing issues. All hearings are archived for
viewing later.

<https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/LIZ/Committees/Meeting/List?fbclid=IwAR1
Ccumwp26oRNaLubpEGkrcMsTkX0lNC2TCqVwB-IGGpUWtRXTqGfIbZKo>
https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/LIZ/Committees/Meeting/List?fbclid=IwAR1C
cumwp26oRNaLubpEGkrcMsTkX0lNC2TCqVwB-IGGpUWtRXTqGfIbZKo

**

One of the three biggest threats to our democracy: "Why many election
workers quit and how it may affect voting".
<https://www.pbs.org/show/newshour/> PBS Newshour. 11/2/2021.

<https://www.pbs.org/video/democracy-in-crisis-1635889282/?fbclid=IwAR1uo7s-
cnU07n8bITmYYEFBVLlO1vpLWIlHiwT7Y5xCGXnn1y6KaSJwNE4>
https://www.pbs.org/video/democracy-in-crisis-1635889282/

**

I recently watched a webinar from the Oregon Center for Public Policy
explaining Oregon's tax system. They have uploaded the webinar video, if you
would like to see it...

 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFcoY_K19EI>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFcoY_K19EI 

On the 18th, they are doing a follow-up webinar on racism in the tax system.
<https://www.facebook.com/BecauseFactsMatter/photos/a.10150141641845081/1015
9253423100081/?type=3>
https://www.facebook.com/BecauseFactsMatter/photos/a.10150141641845081/10159
253423100081/?type=3

**

The big infrastructure bill that just passed in Congress...

 <https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3684>
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3684 

The Build Back Better Bill [aka "reconciliation bill" because of how it
might have to pass the Senate] fighting its way through Congress... It will
surely be somewhat different when/if it makes it through...

 <https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5376/actions>
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5376/actions 

**

Although I haven't read the full report yet, the recommendations to combat
election disinformation outlined on this page sound helpful: As a Matter of
Fact: The Harms Caused by Election Disinformation Report. Common Cause.
10/28/2021

<https://www.commoncause.org/resource/as-a-matter-of-fact-the-harms-caused-b
y-election-disinformation-report/>
https://www.commoncause.org/resource/as-a-matter-of-fact-the-harms-caused-by
-election-disinformation-report/ 

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

Workshops 

Misinformation, Fake News and Political Propaganda

*  Mainstream press and "fake news"

*  Social Media posts

*  Email clickbait

*  Propaganda

*  Language / terminology

*  Deepfakes

*  Survey / poll questions

*  Economic data

*  Graphs and charts

*  Finding good information

Citizen Activism 101 - Making Change Happen

*  Historical perspective

*  Types of advocacy

*  Examples of successful advocacy

*  Choosing your battles

*  Who makes the rules?

*  Tools / strategies for change

*  Engaging with government / lobbying for influence

*  Tracking civic / political issues and legislation

The Constitution: Fulfilling Democracy's Promise? Democracy, the
Constitution and Representation in Congress.

The Constitution's creation, major changes to its interpretation, and
examination of structural limitations. 

*  Status of democracy

*  Early America

*  Forming a country

*  Bill of Rights

*  Structural issues / representation

*  Interpreting the Constitution

*  Changes to the Constitution 

Elections and Campaign Finance

*  Right to vote?

*  Election security

*  Voter suppression 

*  Voter turnout / getting more people to vote

*  Redistricting / gerrymandering

*  Electoral College

*  Alternative voting systems

*  Campaign financing issues and tracking

Ask your local library or community group to sponsor a workshop! Thanks. 

Flyer describing workshops:
<https://static.s123-cdn.com/uploads/2516289/normal_5fe8c854352d5.pdf>
https://static.s123-cdn.com/uploads/2516289/normal_5fe8c854352d5.pdf 

Donna was interviewed on OPB's Think Out Loud in October, 2020!
<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/ 

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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