Civic Engagement Series explores Whidbey's future

"The Citizens Growth Management Coalition and the Whidbey Institute in Clinton are co-sponsoring a series of evening events this month at the Whidbey CyberCafe in Clinton, focusing on civic engagement and healthy community development. *On Tuesday, June 19, the CyberCafe reprises the format of Christopher Phillips, author of The Socrates Cafe, by holding its own Whidbey Socrates Cafe. During a recent visit to the island, Phillips introduced the community to the Socratic method and the pleasures of examining one's life through philosophy in a friendly, entertaining format.The community is invited to join the discussion of the Big Community Questions in an atmosphere of free exchange and energetic thought: Who are we as a community? What do we value? Why question?The session begins at 7:30 p.m.*A film called Tutu and Franklin: A Journey Toward Peace will be shown at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 26. The film documents the historic encounter between Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu and renowned historian Dr. John Hope Franklin on Goree Island, the infamous former slave port off the coast of Senegal in West Africa. The two discover surprising truths about their personal histories and their nations' struggles for racial peace. They are joined in these conversations on racial conciliation by an international, interracial group of 21 teenagers. A community conversation will follow this video. Teens are especially welcome. *In the final session of the Civic Engagement Series, Dr. Douglas Carmichael of BigMindMedia will lead a discussion about the use of scenarios in community planning on Thursday, June 28 at 7:30 p.m.People often try to plan what they want without paying attention to the larger forces that create problems and opportunities, Carmichael says. Scenarios of alternative futures help to increase the range of our thinking will generate some quick scenarios and show how they can help residents think about the future of Whidbey Island.Donations will be accepted at all the events; for more information, call 341-5922. "

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