aerial view of Western's campus at night, with golden lights surrounded by dark trees

to Host Yes! Magazine Co-founder Sarah Van Gelder as Part of the Munro Seminars Nov. 1 and 2

Western Washington University’s Ralph Munro Institute for Civic Education will host its fifth annual Seminars for Civic Education Nov.1 and 2, featuring a keynote lecture from Sarah van Gelder, acclaimed author and co-founder of YES! Magazine, and two panels on “Rebuilding Consensus in an Age of Political Polarization” with a variety of professors, nonprofit leaders and other subject-matter experts.

Event details are as follows; all presentations are free and open to the public:

Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. – Majestic Ballroom, 1027 N. Forest St., Bellingham

Keynote lecture, Sarah van Gelder, “The Revolution is Where You Live”

Sarah van Gelder is the author of the book “The Revolution Where You Live: Stories from a 12,000-Mile Journey Through a New America.” She is also a co-founder and columnist at YES! Magazine and the founder of PeoplesHub, a start-up nonprofit supporting and training groups in reimagining their community, resisting powerful forces that undermine the common good, and building resilience.

Thursday, Nov. 2 – Wilson Library Reading Room on the campus

10-11:30 a.m. – Panel discussion: “Community Stakeholders in Rebuilding Consensus”

Moderator: Greg Winter, executive director, Opportunity Council, Bellingham

Panelists:

  • Tim Ballew, chair, Lummi Indian Business Council
  • Jay Julius, Lummi Indian Business Council
  • Crina Hoyer, executive director, Resources for Sustainable Community
  • Newton Breiter, Lake Union Partners, Seattle

Noon-1 p.m. – Light Lunch and Q & A with Sarah van Gelder

2-3:30 p.m. – Panel discussion: “The Role of Political Parties in Rebuilding Consensus”  

Moderator: Vernon Johnson, director of the Munro Institute, Professor of Political Science

Panelists:

  • Mario Brown, partner at B&B Strategies and chair of the Snohomish County Democratic Central Committee
  • Kirby Wilbur, KVI talk radio host and former chairman of the Washington State Republican Party
  • Mark A. Smith, professor of Political Science, University of Washington
  • Amir Abedi, professor of Political Science and department chair

For more information see the institute website at:

or contact Vernon Johnson, Western Washington University professor of Political Science and program director for the Ralph Munro Institute for Civic Education at Vernon.Johnson@wwu.edu., or (360) 650-4874.