Special thanks to Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan who met with a group of thoughtful and inquisitive Civitas students last Saturday, April 5 to discuss many facets of electoral reform.  Ms. Carnahan fielded a host of questions and responded with honesty and forthrightness.  It is clear that she favors reforms that will strengthen democracy, but the process is difficult with territorial fiefdom by many in government posing difficult obstacles to change.

Secretary Carnahan listened carefully to suggestions to allow students to vote for school board members as well as on school levy and bond issue measures.  She referred to the constitutions and statutes of both the United States and Missouri to describe in what ways such a change in voting would be legal and in what ways it is presently prohibited.  On this and other issues, she urged increased bi-partisan cooperation among Democrats and Republicans.

One of her major projects is to engage more young people as poll workers on election day.  She said that the average age of poll workers in Missouri is 72.  Her office has initiated a program to permit students ages 15-18 to assist regular workers at the polls in areas such as greeting voters, assisting in locating a polling place, looking up voter registration information or providing assistance in completing forms.  Anyone interested in receiving more information on this program can go to www.sos.mo.gov/pollworker.

We extend special thanks to Secretary Carnahan for such an outstanding and informative give and take session.  We look forward to working with her to bring more fresh blood into the electoral process.

Click here for more photos.

During the Civitas Active Citizenship Conference, one of the project groups focused on developing a set of student rights, responsibilities, and privileges.  This Saturday, April 12, representatives from the American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri will be coming to Civitas to respond to the recommendations of students.  Among the presenters will be Nikki Doughty, board member of the ACLU, who participated in our workshop on Feb. 9 with active adults and students as well as ACLU attorney Tony Rothter.  You can access the work of the students as well as updated comments to the recommendations by clicking here.

The work of students in the Active Citizenship project has been recent; the ACLU has been wrestling with these issues for decades.  It should be a most enlightening discussion.  The opportunity will exist to refine the student suggestions and then present them to officials in public, private, and parochial schools as well as state officials.

Former Governor Invites Students to Forum

Former Missouri Governor Bob Holden has invited Civitas students to participate in a lively discussion of education hosted by the Holden Forum on Public Policy (affiliated with Webster University).

The forum will feature former West Virginia Governor Bob Wise who is publishing a new book on education this month, Raising the Grade: How High School Reform Can Save Our Youth and Our Nation.  The presentation and subsequent discussion will be on Tuesday, April 15, at the recently renovated Old Post Office in downtown St. Louis (815 Olive Street; 63101) [map].  It is free of charge. Following the forum, we will take interested students to see the Cardinals play the Milwaukee Brewers, with Civitas providing heavy subsidies for the ticket prices.

Again, this is a unique opportunity for students to meet with decision leaders.  If you have questions, please contact Arthur at Civitas or call Abigail Boudreaux at (314) 246-8792 or visit the Holden Forum website at http://www.webster.edu/holdenppf/.

     

(Actual events in bold -- always subject to change when change occurs!)     

Black: High School                                  Blue: Middle School      

Date	Time	Place	Activities
Sat., 04/12	9:00 AM - 11:00 AM	Crossroads	Meeting with representatives of American Civil Liberties Union on proposed Student Bill of Rights
Tues., 04/15	5:30 PM - 7:00 PM	Old Post Office (815 Olive; 63101)	Presentation on Improving Schools by former WV Gov. Bob Wise.  Also, Cardinals vs. Brewers for those interested.
Thurs., 04/24	9:00 AM - 12:00 PM	Creve Coeur Gov't Center	Middle School Model U.N. Session #1
Thurs., 04/24	Day & Evening	Various	Global Gateway Program on HIV/AIDS in Caribbean
Fri., 04/25	Morning & Afternoon	Various	Global Gateway Program on HIV/AIDS in Caribbean
Sat., 04/26	9:00 AM - 12:00 PM	T.B.A.	Teacher workshop for Global Gateway program with Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting
Sat., 04/26	9:00 AM - 11:00 AM	Crossroads	High School Discussion Session
Wed., 04/30	9:00 AM - 12:00 PM	Creve Coeur Gov't Center	Middle School Model U.N. Session #2
Thurs., 05/01	9:00 AM - 12:00 PM	Creve Coeur Gov't Center	Middle School Model U.N. Session #3
Fri., 05/02	9:00 AM - 12:00 PM	Creve Coeur Gov't Center	Middle School Model U.N. Session #4
Wed., 05/07	9:00 AM - 12:00 PM	Creve Coeur Gov't Center	Middle School Model U.N. Session #5
Thurs., 05/08	9:00 AM - 12:00 PM	Brentwood Community Center	Middle School Model U.N. Session #6
Fri., 05/09	9:00 AM - 12:00 PM	Creve Coeur Gov't Center	Middle School Model U.N. Session #7
Sat., 05/10	1:00 PM - 4:00PM	T.B.A.	Civitas Annual Spring Picnic
Mon. 06/09 - Fri., June 06/13	9:00 AM - 3:00 PM	Varies	Civitas Urban Go-Team