Kristi Williams
Co-Chair

Our theme for the Civics Club 2014-2015 season is Civil Discourse in a Changing Society.

Are we, as a civilized society, becoming increasingly polarized, to the point of abandoning respectful discourse in favor of abrasive “win at all costs” tactics? Our distinguished keynote and public affairs speakers will address this important issue. As a member, you have an opportunity to question keynote speakers. You gain a new perspective as you become acquainted with fabulous members and guests seated at your table.

We guarantee that you will learn something new at each Madison Civics Club luncheon meeting. Join us. Rejoin us. Invite at least one other to join, as well. We look forward to seeing you as we experience another inspiring Madison Civics Club year.

Boris Frank

Boris Frank
Co-Chair

If you are already a member of the Madison Civics Club, all the meetings are included in your membership fee. 

Please join us for the 2014-2015 year! If you are interested in joining and are not already on our membership / mailing list, please send your name and address to info@madisoncivicsclub.org. We will send you a membership brochure and program information.

For more information about our meetings, read Meeting Information and FAQs.

Parker J. Palmer


Website
Writer, speaker and activist
Healing the Heart of Democracy
September 13, 2014
Public Affairs Speaker
Mike McCabe
Executive Director, Wisconsin Democracy Campaign

A world-renowned writer, speaker and activist who focuses on issues in education, community, leadership, spirituality and social change, Parker Palmer is founder and senior partner of the Center for Courage and Renewal. He has reached millions worldwide through his nine books, including: Let Your Life Speak, The Courage to Teach, A Hidden Wholeness and Healing the Heart of Democracy.

In 2011, Palmer was named an Utne Reader Visionary, one of “twenty-five people who are changing your world.” In 1998, the Leadership Project, a national survey of 10,000 educators, named him one of the 30 “most influential senior leaders” in higher education and one of the 10 key “agenda-setters” of the past decade. Palmer holds a doctorate in sociology from the University of California at Berkeley, 11 honorary doctorates and two Distinguished Achievement Awards.

For more information about Parker Palmer and his work, please visit his website.

Thanks to the Madison Public Library for compiling this list of resources for those who would like to read more on this topic. Also, see the links below for more information on these suggested readings.

Menu

Salad

Dill Dijon potato salad

Entree

Lemon rosemary chicken with rice pilaf & orange zest broccoli
Vegetarian option: Zucchini boats with assorted vegetables
Luncheon rolls with butter

Beverages

Coffee (regular and decaffeinated) 
Tea and milk available on request

Dessert

Blueberry pie square

Suggested Readings

Parking at the Monona Terrace Convention Center is often very tight. If possible, please consider parking at a nearby ramp, carpooling with others, walking, biking, or using public transportation. If you drive, please build time into your schedule to find a parking place. And remember that the fee for parking is $5.

Madison City Channel records some of our events. The programs are broadcast shortly after the luncheons and are then made available for streaming on your computer on demand on their Madison Civics Club "channel". The Enrique Morones program can be viewed now. Erroll Davis, Jr.'s program will be available through this website soon.

Members may be interested in the ARTS/INDUSTRY: COLLABORATION AND REVELATION exhibition opening March 22 at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center.

Youth Grants helped fund a Madison Public Library project for students with Simpson Street Free Press to make Book Trailers. Learn about the project and view the first trailer (for Each Kindness) here.

Home

Membership

Anyone can become a member of the Madison Civics Club.

The 2014–2015 membership fee is $120. The membership fee includes the cost of all four luncheon meetings for the season. If you join before August 15, 2014, you may join at special early membership rate of $110. Contributing Membership ($150) and Sustaining Membership ($200) are categories for those willing to give an additional amount to support the increasing costs of the ongoing operations of the Madison Civics Club. Or, you can be a "Friend of the Club" by donating any amount above the membership fee. Amounts above the early membership fee of $110 may be claimed as charitable contributions.

To become a member, please print and fill out the form linked here and mail it in with your check. Or become a member by clicking on the blue "Membership" tab at the top of the screen. Membership fees, donations, and contributions to our endowment fund can be made through our online payment system.

For more information about Madison Civics Club:

  • Click on "Updates" above for late-breaking information about meetings.
  • Follow us on Twitter for the latest news and information from Madison Civics Club.
    If you don't have a Twitter account, you can still see our tweets here.                    
  • Click on the "Newsroom" link (left side) to see Madison Civics Club in the news.

Soliciting Youth Grants Candidates

The Youth Grants Committee would like to know of youth groups whose community service projects complement our speakers for the coming year (listed left). Organizations with 501(c)(3) status are eligible. Schools qualify. If you know of promising groups, please contact Deanna Fischer (608-835-8057).

Are You Interested in Volunteering with MCC?

The Co-Chairs would love to talk with you about how you can use your time and talents with Madison Civics Club. Please contact Boris Frank and/or Kristi Williams.

A Thank You to Madison Public Library

Thanks to the Madison Public Library staff for compiling the readings for each of our speakers. All resources listed are available through the Madison Public Library.

We Met the Challenge!

Thanks to the support of Madison Civics Club members and Board of Directors, we met the challenge! During the 2012-13 Civics Club season and in honor of the Club's 100th anniversary, the Madison Community Foundation offered a challenge gift of $5,000 toward our newly established endowment fund. We contributed $15,000 and earned the additional gift. The Madison Civics Club Endowment Fund will provide a permanent base of support for our programming and operations. We invite your continued investment with a gift today or through your estate plans.

100th Anniversary Book Collection

As part of its centennial celebration, the Madison Civics Club donated a collection of about 150 books by Wisconsin women authors to the Madison Public Library. During our anniversary year the collection was displayed at each branch library for several weeks, before returning to its permanent home at the South Madison branch. 

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