Category Archives: Presentations

“Civics 101” @ i c stars

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.

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Online Workshop; “Civic Engagement in a Time of Isolation”

Civic Engagement in a Tine of Isolation

Saturday – July 18, 10am-12pm CST
Register @ https://tinyurl.com/CE-Time-Isolation-7-18-20

June 13 WORKSHOP MAXED OUT – WE WILL REPEAT ON JULY 18

The times call for more participation in public life, not less. How can we do justice, do civic work, and fight for equity and the well-being of our neighbors in a time of isolation? This webinar experience will address this issue and participants will join small groups to explore, share, and – hopefully – laugh! We will share insights around isolation, resilience, effectiveness, tool building, and more. It will be facilitated by Tom Tresser and Jonathan Peck, of the CivicLab (www.civiclab.us), Chicago’s “do tank” for innovation and capacity building around civic engagement and social justice. Jonathan and Tom have a combined 60 year experience in social justice, organizing, and grassroots campaigning.

Registered for the June 13th session were leaders from these institutions:
University of Chicago – WTTW Public TV Chicago – Loyola University – Northwestern University – Ohio University – Mercer University – Cal State University (Channel islands, Chico, Los Angeles, East Bay, San Marcos, Long Beach) – Stanford University – Centenary College of Louisiana – San Jose State University – Emory University – Tisch College of Public Life, Tufts University – Stanislaus State University – Sonoma State University – Texas Christian University – Worcester Polytechnic Institute – Frederick Douglass Center for Collaborative Leadership- Cincinnati Federation of Teachers – Indivisible Illinois – New Have Christian Church – Sierra Club – STRUT Learning – Center for Media & Democracy – Blocks Together Chicago – Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights – Arts Alliance Illinois – Lutheran School of Theology – Northside Action for Justice – SEIU – Enlace Chicago – Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights – NAME Illinois – Vietnamese Association of Illinois – Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago – Public Health Institute – Arts Alliance Illinois – Ohio University – Northside Action for Justice (Chicago) – UNICEF USA – Illinois Collaboration on Youth – UBUNTU Academy

Visual notes created real time by Emma, the amazing artist from the Ink Factory!

…with these titles:
Director of Campus & Community Engagement – Faculty Director of Community Engagement – Director, Office of Service Learning – Director of Community Partnerships – VP, Community Engagement -Executive Director, Student Civic Engagement – Faculty Director, Global Studies Program –  Program Director, Community Action Volunteers in Education – Founding Director – Restorative Justice Coordinator – Organizer – Deputy Director for Civic Engagement – Team Lead – President – Census Coordinator – Youth Programs – Field Organizer – Deputy Director, Civic Engagement – Director of the Center for Campus & Community Engagement -Organizer – Community Engagement Manager – Chief Program Officer – CEO

Illustration: Gracia Lam

Register via Zoom

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Tom @ UIC “Future of Chicago” Lectures

A note from Prof. Dick Simpson:

“Thank you for once again giving your talk “Memo to Chicago’s Next Mayor – Chicago Is Not Broke!” for the Future of Chicago Lecture series on October 24th. It was very timely with the Mayor’s race underway in Chicago and the early voting. The students learned a lot from your presentation, especially about the costs of corruption, police abuse and Toxic Bank Deals.  Equally importantly, they learned about the alternative ways of funding Chicago and how to resolve the problem with TIFs. 

Thank you for highlighting the issues of budgeting and more efficient ways to collect money in Chicago. These are issues which the students are still discussing. Your experience as a civic educator will inspire them to engage in the future civic activities.”

UIC "Future of Chicago" lecture 10/24/18
Spend your lunch hour on 10/24 with Tom!

Thanks to Prof. Dick Simpson for including me in his 2018 lecture series, “The Future of Chicago.” Other presenters this year include former Governors Pat Quinn and Jim Edgar and Uber Alderman Ed Burke.

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Join The CivicLab!

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!

Join the CivicLab!
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