Civitas Launches New Program to Help Oppressed
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As we move into our planning for 2008-2009, we recognize how serious the oil crisis has become in the United States and around the globe. While some are concerned about the end user (in our case, the students, teachers, and parents who must drive to Civitas events), we feel that not enough sympathy has been expressed towards those who have really taken a big hit. Did you know that in 2007 the world's largest petroleum company had profits of "only" $40.6 billion? Almost as shocking is the fact that Shell pocketed "a mere" $31 billion. At Civitas, we are launching a program to honor the oil companies' "deep social consciences." Beginning with our Urban Go-Team this June 9, as a show of solidarity with Exxon-Mobil and Shell, we will be reminbursing students, teachers, and parents for the continuing sacrifices they make to attend events . We will reimburse all concerned in the amount that they pay over $2.50 per gallon. This will ensure that Exxon-Mobil, Shell, and others will still be able to charge "market prices."
Said Civitas director Arthur Lieber, "I was just in Collinsville [IL] last Thursday to discuss plans for next year's program. It would be a shame for the fine students there to not be able to come to programs in St. Louis and help the oil companies boost their windfall profits. In good conscience, we must allow students to continue to strengthen the world's beleaguered oil companies by paying well over $3.50 per gallon for gas." Without being too sappy, we like to think of Civitas as a "feel good" organization. What can bring more satisfaction than helping our most profitable corporations continue their consumer-oriented practices? Just keep track of your mileage so that you can help us in this effort.
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Students Prepare for Urban Go-Team
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The Civitas Urban Go-Team begins on Monday, June 9. We will be focusing on active citizenship in our community; registering voters, learning more about our citizens through a variety of polling techniques, learning about the risks and safety features of various forms of voting such as optical scanners, touch-screen, etc. It will also be part of the documentary that filmmaker Frank Popper is making on Civitas as active citizenship.
Below is our tentative calendar of events. You can access more information on Urban Go-Team by clicking here. |
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2008 Civitas Urban Go-Team Calendar
Monday, June 9 -
Introduction / Orientation -
St. Louis Country Board of Election Commissioners -
Sample voting; election administration; voting machines; high school pollworker program -
Lunch -
Training and voter registration at MetroLink stations -
Debriefing Tuesday, June 10 -
Intro / Debriefing -
Meeting with "The Beacon" online newspaper -
Discuss students participation with "The Beacon" -
Lunch -
Canvassing; polling at St. Louis barber shops, beauty salons, nail salons, and laundromats. -
Debriefing Wednesday, June 11 -
Intro / Debriefing -
"The Art / Science of Public Opinion Polling" -- Dr. Kenneth Warren, St. Louis University -
"Safeguarding Elections" -- Pat Berg, Missourians for Honest Elections -
Lunch -
"Intercept ['person-on-the-street]polling" in Clayton and elsewhere -
Debriefing Thursday, June 12 - Meet at computer lab; input data from canvassing and polling
- Interactive blog activity in computer lab
- Lunch
- Training for auto-dialer phone bank
- Polling using auto-dialer
- Debriefing
Friday, June 13 - Begin team and individual projects
- Introduction to "Student Leadership Program" with Missouri History Museum
- Continue team and individual projects
- Conclusions; ideas for future activities
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Middle School Model U.N. Sessions
Our final three Middle School Model U.N. sessions were held last week.
On Wednesday, May 7, students from North Kirkwood Middle and St. Dominic Savio schools participated in a lively session at the Creve Coeur Community Center.
On Thursday, May 8, students from John Burroughs, McKinley Classical C.J.A. (St. Louis), and St. Francis Cabrini schools had an engaging session at the Brentwood Community Center. All five resolutions passed.
Finally, on Friday, May 9, students from City Academy, Hoech Middle School (Ritenour district), Marian School , and Ralph Bunche Middle School (St. Louis) discussed and debated a variety of issues at the Creve Coeur Community Center. Once again, all five resolutions passed.
Special thanks to Civitas Middle School Coordinator Lisa Granich-Kovarik and all the teachers who did such a terrific job.
Resolutions can be accessed by clicking here.
Click here for more photos.
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Upcoming Civitas Events
(Actual events in bold -- always subject to change when change occurs!) Black: High School Blue: Middle School | Date | Time | Place | Activities | Mon.,
05/19 | 4:00 PM - 6:00PM | Chevy's in Crestwood Plaza | Middle School Teacher "Year in Review" Meeting | Mon.
06/09 -
Fri.,
June 06/13
| 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM | Varies | Civitas Urban Go-Team |
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Arthur H. Lieber 314-367-6480 |
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Civitas Associates 10845 Olive Blvd.
Suite #155
Saint Louis, Missouri 63141-7760 Phone: (314) 367-6480
Fax: (314) 367-7742 Tuesday, May 13, 2008
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