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VOL. VI, No. 5;  Tuesday, September 5, 2006

Dear Arthur,

Today's newsletter includes:

  1. Information on last Saturday's Discussion Group
  2. Information on this Saturday's (September 9) High School Faculty Advisor Meeting and Student Discussion.
  3. Information on Civitas inaugurating a BLOG!
  4. Information on Global Awareness Photography Exhibit
  5. Reminder about just-released song about Katrina -- with Civitas connections.
  6. Information on opportunities for Civitas students to participate in the Citizens for Global Solutions upcoming conference in Washington, DC on "A Bi-Partisan U.S. Foreign Policy for the 21st Century.
  7. NEXT WEEK WE WILL HAVE MUCH MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM!
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FIRST DISCUSSION OF YEAR BIG SUCCESS


Thanks to the students who came to last Saturday's first Civitas discussion group of the year.  We had a number of new students present, and we introduced them to many of the events that are part of the Civitas programs.  We encouraged them to not worry if they seemed overwhelmed at first by the degree of knowledge of other students; we are always willing to accommodate the needs of new students in our program.  As sophomore Patty Rodriguez from Parkway North High School said, "Don't hesitate to ask questions; no one will ever put you down!"

We had four suggested topics for students to discuss.  They chose to "go local."  Most of the dialogue was about the advantages and disadvantages of single-gender or co-ed schools.  It was enlightening how varied the schools that the students attend are.  Most everyone seemed pleased with where they are at school but they also have more appreciation for how diverse schools are needed to meet the needs of all learners.

Ten minutes were spent discussing whether there is a "good way" for the U.S. to extricate itself from Iraq.  While most everyone felt that the conflict needed to come to as quick a conclusion as possible, no one seemed to have a good idea as to how.  Sounds like we have our work cut out for us this year!

Photos from Session


ORIENTATION & DISCUSSION FOR H.S. FACULTY ADVISORS
& STUDENTS THIS SATURDAY


This Saturday, September 9, we have our one and only orientation session for high school faculty advisors.  Additionally, we invite students to be present because we have found that some of our best discussions of the year are when teachers and students are free to share their ideas in an uninhibited way.

The session will be at Crossroads School (map), beginning at 9:00 AM.  The orientation for teachers and interested students will end by 10:00 AM; the balance of the expanded discussion will run until 11:00 AM.

Topics for consideration during the orientation include:

  1. Basic responsibilities for high school faculty advisors (as little as possible).
  2. Basic responsibilities for students (more).
  3. How the country draft works -- this is when schools select in a "lottery" the countries that their students will represent in the Model U.N. session on Saturday, November 18.  The country draft will be at Crossroads on Saturday, September 30.
  4. Plans for collaboration with Washington University as well as other local universities, colleges, and community colleges in the St. Louis area.  We are looking at collaborative discussions, simulations, research, and presentations.
  5. Awards Information
  6. Civitas Newsletter
  7. Civitas Blog (see next story)
  8. Civitas Intranets Site
Discussion topics for the second hour are up to the participants.  However "left-over" topics from last week include:

  1. How did the United States get involved in Iraq?  What, if any, mistakes were made along the way?  What options does the United States have now if it wants to bring its troops home from Iraq?

  2. Why did we just have a war in the Middle East between the state of Israel and a group called Hezboullah?  Why do the roots of this conflict go back thousands of year?  What are the obstacles to long-term peace in this part of the world?  What role, if any, should either the United Nations or the United States play in trying to promote peace?

  3. The current minimum wage for adult workers in the United States is $5.15 per hour ($10,712 per year; less if there is no paid vacation time).  The U.S. Congress just defeated a bill to raise the minimum wage.  Why did that happen?  In the state of Missouri, voters will have an opportunity to raise it to $6.50 per hour in this November's election.  What are the chances of that happening?  Why do some people oppose raising the minimum wage?

If you have any questions about any aspect of this Saturday's meeting, please e-mail us at >[email protected] or call us at (314) 367-6480.


CIVITAS INAUGURATES BLOG


What is a blog?  Among other things, it's a word that hardly existed ten years ago.  According to the American Heritage Dictionary, it means "to write entries in, add material to, or maintain a weblog."

Well, we guess that this is one of those things where Missouri's "Show Me" slogan is exceptionally appropriate.  So we've started a Civitas blog to show you -- and hopefully inspire you to participate.  You don't have to register, you can be anonymous, you can share your thoughts (so long as they are within the bounds of 'questionable taste' and there are no personal attacks.).

We've started with the following topic:
 


Top presidential advisor Karl Rove recently said that the main difference between Democrats and Republicans are that Democrats see the world from a "pre-9-11 perspective" and Republicans see it from a "post-9-11 perspective.

What do you think that he meant by this?

What are your thoughts regarding the validity of this argument?"


What are your thoughts on this?  Just go to our blog at http://civitas-stl.livejournal.com (a web site that you might want to bookmark!).  You can dive right in and respond.  We would love to get a lively discussion going!

LINK TO BLOG:


GLOBAL AWARENESS PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT AT
MISSOURI HISTORICAL SOCIETY THIS THURSDAY


The Missouri Historical Society in Forest Park is sponsoring a one-evening only Global Photography Exhibit at the Missouri Historical Society (Jefferson Memorial) in Forest Park this Thursday evening.  It will run from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM.

The Global Awareness Photograph Exhibit will feature photographs from around the world and on the work of the United Nations.  A reception will follow after the exhibit.  Suggested donation: $5.00.  Please contact Rosemary Martorana, coordinator, for details [(314) 727-2949].


KATRINA -- "Waiting"

Due to popular demand, we wanted remind you that St. Louisans Kevin Bilchik and John Goldstein have co-written the song "Waiting" about the moments in and around Hurricane Katrina and the first five days after landfall. Part of the proceeds from sales of the CD and digital downloads will benefit Tipitina's Foundation New Orleans Artist Relief Fund, and their continuing efforts in the affected regions.  We thought that you would be interested in hearing it.  You can click on the lyrics link to view the words.



To listen to "Waiting"


To purchase "Waiting"






Reminder to High School Seniors and Juniors

Enter this contest for an all-expenses-paid trip to participate in our annual assembly in Washington D.C.

"A BI-PARTISAN U.S. FOREIGN POLICY FOR

THE 21ST CENTURY"

NOVEM B E R 12 - 14, 2 0 0 6

_____________________________________________________________ _________________________

HEAR PRESENTATIONS BY EXPERTS & JOIN IN DISCUSSIONS ON:

ACTING LOCALLY TO SAVE THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT

WHAT THE U.S. SHOULD DO TO MAKE THE U.N. MORE EFFECTIVE

THE GROWING INFLUENCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT

VISIT THE NATIONAL OFFICE OF YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS

_____________________________________________________________ _____________

Citizens for Global Solutions of Greater St. Louis will provide transportation, registration, meals, & lodging for a college student or a high-school junior or senior to participate in the Citizens for Global Solutions national assembly in Washington DC.

The conference begins at 8:30 a.m. Monday, November 13, so you should be able to leave St. Louis no later than Sunday afternoon. It ends just after noon Tuesday, November 14, so you could be back by that night. Getting to & from the St. Louis airport is your responsibility. If you want to go to Washington on Saturday, we will also provide housing for you for Saturday night.

If you want to be a contestant for this all-expenses-paid trip, write a 3-5 page typed essay (double-spaced) consisting of two parts. In the first part tell us about your background and why you would be a good person for us to send to this meeting. In the second part share with us your thinking about some of the problems our world community faces and how we might deal with them more effectively.

_____________________________________________________________ _______

In exchange for this subsidy C/GS of St. Louis expects you to give us a brief written report about

the conference & what you learned from it. (This gets published in our local newsletter.)

Send your essay to:

Ronald J. Glossop, 8894 Berkay Avenue, Jennings, MO 63136-5004

or preferably by e-mail to: >[email protected]

Be sure to include your home address and home telephone number.

For more information, call (314) 869-2303.

Deadline: October 15, 2006. Winner will be notified by October 17, 2006.

 


Additional Links


Streaming Video [Real Media]
  
Civitas Blog

 Resolutions (High School U.N.) for 2004-2005
   
Checklist for Writing a Model U.N. Resolution
 

Reinventing U.N.Conference Home Page 
    

232 No. Kingshighway, #2101; St. Louis, MO 63108-4002
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