Bobbi Clemons, Civitas Staffer here. I’m posting a “Get to know your Go-Team” as a combo example/introduction. I think it’d be great if other staff members (time permitting, of course) do the same. Once again, only share what you’re comfortable with and the answers don’t have to be long essays.
- What are some of your expectations for the week?
I expect to learn more about how trials actually work instead of just what Law & Order has shown me. I expect to talk to a lot of experts, who have a diverse range of ideas and opinions. I expect to be wowed by how insightful our high school students are. (No pressure!) & I expect to eat yummy lunches. - What is the biggest question you have about the justice system (courts, police, protestors, etc.) in St. Louis?
My biggest question… That’s hard. It’s kinda two questions but they’re of a similar nature. I think my biggest question is how do you keep the legal system honest? If failings in the system become apparent, what can be done to fix them? - What other issues do you consider to be of primary significance to St. Louis City and St. Louis County?
I know they are not glamorous issues but I think affordable housing and urban development are the biggest obstacles the St. Louis region has to face. St. Louis cannot afford to neglect the inner city and keep sprawling out to Chesterfield and beyond. Bad urban development leads to underfunded schools, crappy public transportation, environmental woes, and a slew of other less-than-stellar things. If we want to become a first class city, we have to really step up our game. - Why did you decide to join Go-Team?
I didn’t choose Go-Team, it chose me. Jokes aside, I work for Civitas and Urban Go-Team is usally one of the highlights of my year. Arthur and Gloria are great at picking issues we want to learn about as well. - How did you hear about Civitas?
I learned about Civitas through this dynamo gifted teacher, Miss Jackson. She pushed our class to be in the Middle School Model UN program. I loved it. It was one of the few times I didn’t feel weird for being interested in global politics. After middle school, I started coming to the high school events and loved all of those too. - Have you ever done Go-Team before? If so, what was your experience?
I don’t mean to brag, but Urban Go-Team (formerly Urban Studies, formerly the Maplewood Project) was started in 2002 for me & my small group of M-RH classmates. It was originally a look at disparity between rich & poor citizens of St. Louis that blossomed into studying urban development & the details of a Wal-Mart being built in Maplewood. I’ve been fortunate enough to participate in every single Urban Go-Team. They’re a ton of fun. I always learn more than expected. Plus it’s interesting for me to help coordinate and participate in non-Model U.N. things like street polling, video making, scavenger hunts, walking tours, lunch with politicians, Q&As with experts, and now police academy. - A fun fact about yourself/anything else you’d want to include.
I’m using my fact from last year: I once gave Bob Dole my phone number. In case that doesn’t count here’s another one: A life goal of mine is to learn how to make balloon animals. (Although I startle very easily, especially when balloons pop.)