Events & Opportunities
August 3, 2024
Our Untapped Treasures: Children and Elders are Problem Solvers too
There are many reasons why people fail to invite children and elders to the table when it comes to solving problems: “They’re too young.” “They need to be protected from hearing about serious issues.” “I’m sure they care, but the world is a very different place now.” “They’re just going to talk about how things used to be.” “I wouldn’t want my child to be burdened with this reality.” “I don’t want to have to explain the issues repeatedly.”
The more serious the issue, the less likely it is that a child or elder will be helping to come up with a solution. We were all children once, and sometimes we had great solutions to problems that adults didn’t have. If we’re fortunate, we’ll all become elderly, and we will have a wealth of experience and accumulated wisdom to share. The goal of this conversation is to encourage people to approach problem solving in a more inclusive manner and ask elders or children to share their ideas.
2:00 p.m., Estacada Public Library, Estacada
August 15, 2024
Reflective Conversation Training (in-person)
This training will take place in the Oregon Humanities office in Portland over the following days:
- Day 1: Thursday, August 15, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Day 2: Friday, August 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
To register for the August in-person training, click here.
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Oregon Humanities, Portland
September 5, 2024
Facilitation Training for Libraries
Oregon Humanities will present three trainings in 2024 for staff, board members, volunteers, and program partners of Oregon libraries of all types (public, academic, school, and tribal). These trainings will help people involved with libraries strengthen their skills in leading conversations about vital issues and ideas across differences, beliefs, and backgrounds. With the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence as a jumping off point, participants will learn about facilitation and reflective conversation, practice new skills and techniques, and learn to design and facilitate conversations that allow people and groups to learn more about themselves and each other.
This training will take place at the Grants Pass Library over the following days:
- Day 1: Thursday, September 5, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Day 2: Friday, September 6, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Click here to register for this training.
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Grants Pass Library, Grants Pass
September 26, 2024
Facilitation Training for Libraries
Oregon Humanities will present three trainings in 2024 for staff, board members, volunteers, and program partners of Oregon libraries of all types (public, academic, school, and tribal). These trainings will help people involved with libraries strengthen their skills in leading conversations about vital issues and ideas across differences, beliefs, and backgrounds. With the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence as a jumping off point, participants will learn about facilitation and reflective conversation, practice new skills and techniques, and learn to design and facilitate conversations that allow people and groups to learn more about themselves and each other.
This training will take place at Newport Public Library over the following days:
- Day 1: Thursday, September 26, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Day 2: Friday, September 27, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Click here to register for this training.
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Newport Public Library, Newport
October 3, 2024
Reflective Conversation Training (virtual)
During our virtual facilitation training, participants will:
- learn about facilitation and reflective conversation
- have an opportunity to practice new skills and techniques
- reflect on and share your own beliefs and assumptions and listen to beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences different than your own
- design and participate in reflective conversations and debriefs that analyze facilitation tools and choices.
This virtual training will take place online via Zoom over the following sessions:
- Day 1: Thursday, October 3, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Day 2: Friday, October 4, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Day 3: Friday, October 11, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
To register for this virtual training, click here.
9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Oregon Humanities, Portland
October 5, 2024
Unpacking Accountability: What Are We Asking For?
Calls for accountability—for our leaders, for people who have caused harm, or for our communities—are common, but what exactly is being sought is often elusive. This one word may mean punishment, and much more. What do you mean when you say “accountability,” and how can we elevate the value of accountability in our communities?
Aron Klein believes in the healing potential of accountability. Through personal relationships, volunteer work, and political advocacy he has accompanied folks on their journeys toward accountability. He is the operations manager at Partnership for Safety & Justice and lives and bicycles throughout Portland.
1:00 p.m., Jacksonville Branch Library, Jacksonville
October 14, 2024
Conversation Project: Does Nature Have a Purpose?
Oregonians have long struggled to balance cultural, political, and values-based differences tied to our use of land and resources. As we enter an age of accelerating environmental change and scarcity, it is important to understand what drives these differences. In this conversation we will explore our attitudes and assumptions about the purpose of the environment in our lives and how those attitudes and assumptions shape our perception of environmental issues and policies.
5:00 p.m., South Tillamook County Branch Library, Pacific City
October 19, 2024
Conexión con Nuestro Territorio
A hike and conversation in Spanish, presented in partnership with Vámonos Outside.
En este espacio haremos una actividad de senderismo mientras te invitamos a que converses con otros participantes sobre tu relación con el territorio, y descubras nuevas formas de explorarlo. Conectémonos a través de nuestra cultura y experiencias compartidas. Tendremos alimentación y transporte incluído para quienes lo soliciten. Vámonos Outside estará a cargo de actividades para niños.
12:00–3:00 p.m., Shevlin Park, Bend
November 7, 2024
Reflective Conversation Training (in-person)
During this in-person facilitation training, participants will:
- learn about facilitation and reflective conversation
- have an opportunity to practice new skills and techniques
- reflect on and share your own beliefs and assumptions and listen to beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences different than your own
- design and participate in reflective conversations and debriefs that analyze facilitation tools and choices.
This training will take place in the Oregon Humanities office in Portland (610 SW Alder St., Suite 1111) over the following days:
- Day 1: Thursday, November 7, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Day 2: Friday, November 8, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
To register for the November in-person training, click here.
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Oregon Humanities, Portland
November 19, 2024
Consider This with Manu Meel
Join us for a conversation about political differences, young people, and the long-term health of our democracy with Manu Meel, CEO of BridgeUSA, a multi-partisan student movement working to bridge our differences and change how we talk about politics.
7:00 p.m., Alberta Rose Theatre, Portland