So, With Whom Would You Talk?
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One of the key issues emerging in the 2008 presidential election is under what circumstances should the president of the United States speak with leaders of foreign countries. We have an attached survey (albeit thoroughly non-scientific) seeking your opinion(s) on this question. The survey is only one question long.
One theory is that the leader of the U.S. should not talk to leaders of countries that are our "enemies." Another theory is that the president should talk with leaders of so-called "enemy countries," but only under pre-conditions (such as Iran agreeing to cease possible development of nuclear weapons prior to the talks beginning). A third theory is that talking itself promotes clarification, better understanding of issues, and opens possible opportunities for peace. Opponents of this third option often say that this is "giving in to the enemy."
You can take the survey by clicking here.
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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.
We are just about fully enrolled; if you are interested you had better act quickly.
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2008 Civitas Urban Go-Team Calendar
(there will be some upcoming changes in this 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 Teachers Feast at Chevy's
Civitas had its final middle school meeting of the year yesterday afternoon at Chevy's in Crestwood. This was not a business meeting, so our accomplishments were in other areas. Here are the ratings:
Food: 8
Service: 10 (Waitress handled separate bills very adroitly).
Discussion about schools, education, etc.: 10
Political discussion: 10
Sports discussion: 10
Other Gossip: 10
Click here for more photos for middle school model U.N. sessions.
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Looking for Families to Host Students from Abroad
Megan Green, development director at Metro Homeless Center in St. Louis and a former CORO fellow who worked with Civitas has informed us of the following opportunity. If you can, please give it serious consideration.
CIEE, The Council on International Exchange, the worldwide leader of international education and student exchanges, is looking for 30 families in the St. Louis area to open their hearts and homes to 30 high school students from around the world. Students will be arriving in August and spend the academic year in St. Louis. These students hail from all over the globe including, Brazil, Thailand, Poland, Germany, France, Spain, China, Russia, and Australia.
The program provides an opportunity for families to form lifelong relationships and unforgettable memories while exposing students from around the world to American Culture. Students participating in the program are between 15-18 years old and have studied English for at least 3 years.
If you are interested in participating in this unique experience, contact Megan Green at megan.ellyia@gmail.com or (814) 404-4228. To learn more, visit www.ciee.org.
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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.
06/09 -
Fri.,
June 06/13
| 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM | Varies | Civitas Urban Go-Team | | | | | | Sat.,
08/30/2008 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Crossroads | First High School Discussion of 2008-2009 |
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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 20, 2008
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